A Special Day wolfpack to honor senior class vs. unc
"These guys are part of the foundation of our program. Our APR is up and our graduation rate is up. We have been able to show great improvements statistically in a lot of areas. This has really been a locker room and team room full of guys that enjoy coming to the building every day. That, to me, is what it is all about. They have been really good leaders."
Head Coach Dave Doeren
With just 10 members, the 2015 Wolfpack senior class is one of the smallest in the nation, yet the impact this small group has had on the future of the Wolfpack program is huge.
This group helped the Wolfpack post a 5-game improvement in the win column between 2013 and 2-14 - a mark that ranked second among FBS teams.
This 2015 senior class has experienced the thrill of victory ...
... and the agony of defeat.
They've been leaders on the football field ...
In the community...
Among their peers ...
And in the classroom.
THE MEMBERS OF THE 2015 WOLFPACK SENIOR CLASS LOOK BACK ON THEIR TIME AT NC STATE
ALEX BARR, Offensive Guard
Best memory playing football at NC State: Beating #3 FSU in 2012 and playing at Virginia Tech in 2015.
What I’ll miss the most: The locker room and all my teammates.
Somebody I want to give a shout out to: Tyson Chandler, Joe Thuney, and Quinton Schooley because it takes chemistry and brotherhood to play offensive line, and playing next to these three for so long not only enhanced our chemistry and brotherhood on the field but also our friendships off of it.
How I want to be remembered by Wolfpack nation? A player who did his best to represent NCSU and who was a consistent performer on the field.
Advice I would have given to my freshman self: The days go slow but the years go fast. Take advantage of the slow days
JACOBY BRISSETT, Quarterback
Best memory playing football at NC State: Running into the huddle every game.
What I’ll miss the most: Just being around the team and the different group of guys
Somebody I want to give a shout out to: Just everyone who had a part and getting me here and helping graduate and get a degree.
How I want to be remembered by Wolfpack nation? Just as a good teammate on and off the field.
Advice I would have given to my freshman self: Chipotle is the only restaurant to eat for 7 dollars and be full
NAQUAN BROWN, Wide Receiver
Best memory playing football at NC State: At Louisville [in 2014] where I played and made plays against one of the top defenses in the nation as a first year walk-on.
What I’ll miss the most: I'll miss practice and laughing with my teammates. I love those guys. They're really funny!
Somebody I want to give a shout out to: I'll like to give a shout out to coach D for giving me the opportunity to play here at State. Thunder [Dantonio Burnette], and the whole strength staff, Al Byrd, DD [Hoggard], and the whole medical staff. They gave me words of wisdom every day, and the medical staff made sure I was feeling good and ready to go. I thank all of those guys for making sure I was the best player I could be.
How I want to be remembered by Wolfpack nation? I want to be remembered as a player with a hard work ethic and as a gifted athlete
Advice I would have given to my freshman self: Just learn and practice your craft every day, without any excuses.
BENSON BROWNE, Tight End
Best memory playing football at NC State: I would have to say that it's a tie for this one. Between running out the tunnel for the first time as a freshman, it was truly an indescribable yet very captivating feeling. Or catching my first touchdown this year and hearing the roar of the crowd coming from all sides. Finally being able to check that goal off and add it to one of my accomplishment was very rewarding yet very humbling at the same time.
What I’ll miss the most: I'm going to miss all the bonding time with my teammates. Whether that be on the field, or in the locker room, at study hall or the late nights after the game. Overall being with friends with nothing to worry about other than football and school is going to be my most cherished time of life.
Somebody I want to give a shout out to: There are a lot of people that I'm thankful for that I've come into contact with while at State. But I had a few people that really changed my life. First is my sociology professor Dr. Nacost, a highly regarded teacher in the profession who has made an impact on a lot of students. I was able to make a special connection with him and he really offered me a ton of advice on life and moving forward. Mr. Byrd our team chaplain changed my life as well by really re-introducing me to Christ and facilitating the bond to my spirituality that I have now. Lastly Coach Faulk our tight ends coach. Towards the end of my career we were able to really connect from more than just a football standpoint and started to create a friendship dynamic that ultimately made me a better player, teammate and person.
How I want to be remembered by Wolfpack nation?: I want to be remembered as the hardworking kid from Ohio who never stopped working hard towards accomplishing his goals. I want to be remembered as a guy who gave everything he had for his team and university and didn't regret one second of this experience. A leader who always put his family (teammates) first and wanted what was best for the team. A guy who hates UNC and will not allow his kids to wear that awful color or attend that school.
Advice I would have given to my freshman self: Keep working and never lose sight of your long term goals. The short term goals happen with hard work, the long term goals come with persistence. I would also advise myself to never fall in love with Waffle House or Bojangles, I'm sure my bank account would agree too.
JUSTON BURRIS, Cornerback
Best memory playing football at NC State: Beating Carolina at Carolina, 35 – 7, or beating #3 Florida State in 2012
What I’ll miss the most: Running out of the tunnel to 60,000 screaming fans
Somebody I want to give a shout out to: Coach Barlow who showed me how to be a better man and football player and really gave me the confidence to succeed.
How I want to be remembered by Wolfpack nation? As the hometown boy who came to his dream school to help make NC State great.
Advice I would have given to my freshman self: Don't take it for granted. It might seem like you have a lot of time but you don't. It goes fast.
HAKIM JONES, Free Safety
Best memory playing football at NC State: My first Meet the Pack day and defeating Florida St.
What I’ll miss the most: The game day atmosphere and being around my teammates at the Murphy center
Somebody I want to give a shout out to: DD [Hoggard] & Thunda [Dantonio Burnette]: They were the two people I always felt most comfortable talking to and they always knew what to say to me as well as how to solve my problems.
How I want to be remembered by Wolfpack nation? As someone who did the best he could with the situations I faced/ as a loyal member of the nation
Advice I would have given to my freshman self: People will always remember your actions so watch how you act.
MAURICE MORGAN, Wide Receiver
Best memory playing football at NC State: The Walk of Champions - just seeing all the fans and family puts a smile on my face. It was the best thing because you see the passion and support you have
What I’ll miss the most: I will miss the handful of people on this team that over the years I learned to call family.
Somebody I want to give a shout out to: So many people helped me through these years i just want to thank everybody: the fans, coaches, and staff. Most importantly I would thank my mother, brother, and all the brothers that I made over the years
How I want to be remembered by Wolfpack nation? I want to be remember as someone who did his part in the Pack through it all. I’m down with the Wolfpack for life
Advice I would have given to my freshman self: Do not second guess your instincts, so many things good or bad happened when I did not follow my instincts
MIKE ROSE, Defensive End
Best memory playing football at NC State: Beating Florida State, the No. 3 team in the country (Rose blocked a kick to set up the winning touchdown).
What I’ll miss the most: The brotherhood and memories made with each and every teammate
Somebody I want to give a shout out to: I would like to give a shout out to Frank! [Frank Federle takes care of the Murphy Center]. He always has a smile on his face and is very encouraging individual. You will never catch him down on himself.
How I want to be remembered by Wolfpack nation? I want to be remembered as one of the best defensive ends to play at NC State.
Advice I would have given to my freshman self: Stay positive and stay hungry even when you have success.
QUINTON SCHOOLEY, Center
Best memory playing football at NC State: How excited everybody was after we won the Bitcoin Bowl in St Petersburg. It was my first bowl game and it was a great experience.
What I’ll miss the most: Getting to be in the locker room and meeting room with the o-line.
Somebody I want to give a shout out to: Coach U. He gave me my first division 1 football offer and an opportunity that changed my life.
How I want to be remembered by Wolfpack nation? I would like Wolfpack nation to remember me as being someone who gave everything I had to our program and was part of teams that improved each of the three years I was here.
Advice I would have given to my freshman self: Keep working as hard as you can and have faith that good things will come.
JOE THUNEY, Offensive Tackle
Best memory playing football at NC State: Beating FSU at home as a freshman and being on the field and snapping the ball on the play when Mike [Glennon] threw the TD to [Bryan] Underwood. Beating Carolina at home 35-7 and rushing for close to 400 yards.
What I’ll miss the most: I’ll miss most the camaraderie between the guys, especially the offensive line. There is no place like the locker room and I know I have formed bonds with some of those guys that will last a lifetime.
Somebody I want to give a shout out to: Camden Wentz, Andrew Wallace for showing what hard work and having fun can do. Getting the most out of the experience. Coach U for teaching me everything I know. Alex Barr for sticking through it all and being my roommate for 5 years and someone I could always lean on.
How I want to be remembered by Wolfpack nation? I want to be remembered as someone who loved the game with everything I had, someone who worked as hard as possible to be successful on and off the field, and someone with the utmost loyalty to NC State.
Advice I would have given to my freshman self: Enjoy every minute of the collegiate football experience. It'll be gone before you know it, so make sure to take it all in and never take one snap for granted.