The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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18 ■ THE WOLFPACKER TRACKING THE PACK BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State redshirt junior right tackle Justin Witt is ready to be one of the new leaders of the offense. The 6-6, 310-pounder attended Lincoln-Way West High in New Lenox, Ill., and was a Rivals.com three-star prospect in the class of 2016. He earned 21 scholarship offers during the recruiting pro- cess, and picked NC State over California, Iowa State, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Rutgers and Syracuse, among others. Witt solidified the right tackle spot last year, starting in all but two games — missing the Syra- cuse contest with an injury and he was suspended for the first half against East Carolina. The sports management major recently took the time with The Wolfpacker to discuss his expec- tations for this season. What can you say about John Garri- son as the Wolfpack's new offensive line coach? "John Garrison has been a great coach for us so far. Him coming in after Coach [Dwayne] Ledford left us [for Louis- ville] was kind of hard. Getting to know Coach Garrison's system has definitely been huge for us. "He brings different things that we didn't learn from our past coaches, but we know now. He's definitely going to be a great coach for us." What will determine if the offense is as effec- tive as last year? "It comes down to us as players. We control the tempo. Our coaches try to stress to us how to keep a good tempo throughout the game. "It all depends on how fast we get up to the line, how fast we can get the ball snapped before the defense is ready." After losing three starters on the offensive line and replacing your position coach, how important do you feel your role as a leader is to help that offensive line jell? "It's a huge role. We got a lot of young guys coming in. We had guys in the past who taught me how to be a great leader, like Garrett Brad- bury, Terronne Prescod, Tyler Jones, Tony Adams. "I can pass that knowledge down to younger guys who are going to have to step up one day and be another leader for us." How would you describe your leadership style? "I like to be a vocal leader. I like to lead by ex- ample. If I'm doing the right things, younger guys can look at that. I want to model my game after that, I want to act like that outside of the field." With so many changes in personnel on of- fense, would you expect to be more run-ori- ented this year? "We're going to run the same offense. We got great quarterbacks that can come in and step up after Ryan Finley left. We've got great running backs who can step up after Reggie Gallaspy left. "We're going to run the same style of offense and with some of the guys coming in now." What do you think will be the identity of the team? "We'll be an explosive team on offense and defense. The defense will get takeaways and force turnovers. On offense, we'll be making plays, run- ning the ball and throwing the ball. "We'll be able to do it all, really." How far have you come from when you opened the 2017 season stepping in for Will Richardson as the starting right tackle against South Carolina? "It's a night-and-day situation. I went out there on the big stage. It's just to- tally different how I attacked that game compared to how I attack this game [against East Carolina Aug. 31]. "Now, it's easier to me. I can relax more. That game, it was my first start and very intense for me." What are your goals moving for- ward? "I have high goals for myself. I feel like if you set the bar too low, you won't meet your goals where you want to meet them. I feel like I have a great chance to make it in the NFL. It all starts with what I did today. "I'm in a role where I can go out there and compete with anyone right now. It all depends on if I get the work in, in the offseason." What kind of confidence did you get by doing well against some of the NFL-bound defensive ends in the ACC last year? "Even before that, blocking my own guys like Bradley Chubb and Kentavius Street. It definitely gave me a strong base on knowing where I stood in the league. "Now, I can go out there and be more relaxed against some of the great defensive ends that we play against in the ACC." How much did you know about NC State after growing up in the Chicago suburbs? "It started off when I was a sophomore in high school, Coach [Mike] Uremovich was the offensive line coach here and he's from my hometown. He would come down and talk to my high school coach. He was one of the first coaches I talked to. Ever since then, I'd follow the Wolfpack a little bit. "I knew around my junior year that is where I wanted to play and continue my life." How close are you to getting your degree and what would you like to do with it? "I'm a sports management major and about a year out from being done. I definitely have a few ideas. I want to stay in the sports area and I want to go toward the apparel side. "I'd love to work for a major company like Nike, adidas or Under Armour. I want to get my foot in the door and go from there." ■ GETTING TO KNOW: The 6-6, 310-pound Witt started all but two games at right tackle for the Wolfpack last season. PHOTO BY GREGG FORWERCK FOR NC STATE ATHLETICS JUSTIN WITT ■ FOOTBALL