The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1059287
14 ■ THE WOLFPACKER TRACKING THE PACK NC State fifth-year senior defensive end Deonte Holden could finish his Wolfpack career with his undergraduate degree and three master's degrees. Holden earned his undergraduate degree in business marketing within three years. He then was accepted into graduate school in global, luxury and management, which is a dual master's program. Holden just finished his gradu- ate certificate in textile management and brand marketing. The 6-4, 247-pounder, who attended Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic, has overcome a foot injury to have his most productive season at NC State. He en- ters the Gator Bowl against Texas A&M with 20 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, one caused fumble and 3.5 sacks in 12 games played. He entered the season with three career tackles in five contests. Holden recently took some time to talk to The Wolfpacker about his journey and receiving his sixth year of eligibility next year at NC State. What was your reaction to getting a sixth year of eligibility to play at NC State next year? "I always knew there was a chance. There was a big chance that I would get it based off my history with the injury that I had, being out the whole entire year [in 2015]. I got hurt the first day at training camp and I didn't come back until that next summer. "Was I excited? Yes, definitely excited. Just being able to prove and show people what I can do and how I can contribute to the team was just a big thing for me. I'll get another year and that will mean more oppor- tunities and meeting a lot of different people. I can take advantage of what I have going on at NC State." What was it like to get the sixth year news Nov. 2 and then you got to start against Florida State the next day? "It was a lot. Honestly, my adrenaline was flowing. I wasn't even tired. This is the time to really show people what we can do, and not really worry about how many plays we take and to just keep pushing." Did you always want a sixth year? "Yes, as soon as I broke my foot, I knew I'd apply for a sixth year. I just didn't know when I'd exactly apply for it." You always knew you wanted to play another year? "I was always the type that I knew I was going to play football. I was going to stick this out regardless. If I am going to be in pain, I'm going to run in pain. "I told the doctor: 'If I can walk, then I can run. If I can run, then I can play.' That is exactly what I did." Were you ever frustrated? "I had a stress fracture in my left foot and that was right after my redshirt year. They sat me out, but when I came back for the first day of practice [prior to the 2015 season], I broke my foot. The process was for me to get two surgeries. "I had to get a surgery to get screws in a place in my foot. Then I had to get another surgery to have the screws come out. It was a long process. It was like one big injury. It was like tearing your MCL and ACL and how it plays out for like a whole year. That is how it played out in my foot." Head coach Dave Doeren said there were times the doctor asked you, "Are you sure you want to get on the field?" Why did you want to play? "Yeah, I said 'Yes' [to the doctor]. I'm the type of person who is not going to quit on anything. If I start something, I am going to finish it. I am so big on that. "I live by a quote, 'Just because you took longer than others, doesn't mean you failed.' What I mean by that is that I don't look at other people's success and try to measure their success by mine. I just trust the process and keep moving forward." You came in the same recruiting class as defensive linemen Bradley Chubb, B.J. Hill, Kentavius Street and Justin Jones, who are all in the NFL. What was it like to play with them? "We all came together. I actually met Kentavius Street before everybody. It was at the Under Armour All-American com- bine. That is when I met him. I didn't know who he was or that he had commit- ted to NC State. I wasn't committed to NC State at the time. We just so happened to both commit to NC State. "Then I met Justin Jones and we grew a good relationship while we were in high school. Those guys, I had a really good relationship with before I got to NC State. Being around them was a big thing. Justin Jones was my roommate for about two to three years in my NC State career." How have you made the most of your NC State education options? "It is very important. I told my mom before I went to college that I was going to take advantage of my college career. I was go- ing to get my degree. I got to NC State and I didn't have the best of grades coming into NC State. "When I got here, I said, 'I'm going to graduate within three years.' Some people looked at me as if I was a fool. They said, 'How are you going to graduate within three years? You weren't even an honors student coming out of high school.' I said that I was going to do it and figure it out. Sure enough, it was hard. "It was definitely hard. I also gained by being a part of a frater- nity, Omega Psi Phi, incorporated and was able to do that as well. Along the way, I was able to get into graduate school. "I didn't even know I was going to graduate school until one day I heard about a program that spoke to exactly what I wanted to do at the college, which was the global, luxury and management program. I heard about it and I loved it. I was fortunate to get in." — Jacey Zembal Getting To Know: Fifth-Year Senior Defensive End Deonte Holden Holden recorded 20 total stops, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble during the regular season. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN