The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1419104
TRACKING THE PACK 10 ■ THE WOLFPACKER Redshirt junior punter Trenton Gill is NC State's all-time leader in career punt- ing average at 46.3 yards per attempt. It's a talent that Gill hopes will lead him into the NFL one day. But if professional football is not in the cards, Gill has plenty to fall back on with an impressive list of academic achieve- ments. He is a two-time Dean's List hon- oree, was selected to the 2020 All-ACC Academic Team, won the National Foot- ball Foundation (NFF) Scholar-Athlete Award for the local Bill Dooley Chapter and is a four-time member of the ACC Honor Roll. Gill, though, is most proud of the fact that he is already a college graduate, hav- ing earned a degree in biological sciences. He has one more semester of work to do this spring toward a postgraduate degree in professional communication and mana- gerial skills. "A college degree has a lot of weight to it," he said, "especially coming from NC State." Gill has proven in Raleigh that he has the ability to multitask. A big believer in writing things down, he keeps a calendar in his room of all his football and scho- lastic activities to stay on track. He has also found time to give back to the community. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, seeing that local busi- nesses in his hometown of Hills- borough, N.C., were struggling, Gill organized a GoFundMe fund- raiser that reached almost $8,500. Gill used the money to buy gift cards and then distributed those, working with Orange Congrega- tions In Mission to assist families in need. More recently, Gill took ad- vantage of the name, image and likeness (NIL) legislation from the NCAA to attach his name to a fun- draiser he organized that garnered $12,000 for a new slide at his former elementary school, New Hope in Hillsborough, as well as purchase new supplies for recess. "I remember how much fun I had at recess in elementary school, and I didn't want the kids to not have that," he said. The fundraising successes have helped Gill see the good in society. "If you are able to have a great cause and you really believe in it and are really passionate about it, people are going to believe in you," he explained. When Gill's playing days are over, he envisions himself either working in a research lab or running his own business, and he even muses about the possibility of doing both. He already has plenty to put on his ré- sumé, and more may be coming. Gill is a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy presented annually by the NFF to the country's top student-athlete based on academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership. — Matt Carter STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE MONTH FOOTBALL REDSHIRT JUNIOR PUNTER TRENTON GILL Grant Gibson Redshirt junior Grant Gibson is in his third season as NC State's starting center, and he has emerged not only as an undisputed leader on the team but also as a standout at the position. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. rates Gibson as the nation's No. 3 draft-eligible center. Gibson is listed as a redshirt junior because eligibility was frozen in foot- ball last season, but he's actually in his fifth season in Raleigh. The Char- lotte native has been at NC State long enough that head coach Dave Doeren told TV announcers that Gibson could be considered the "mayor of Raleigh." Favorite movie: "'Remember the Titans.'" An athlete you look up to: "[Phila- delphia Eagles center] Jason Kelce." Celebrity you would like to spend a day with: "LeBron James." Favorite class so far at NC State: "Introduction to Entrepreneurship." Favorite restaurant on campus: "Chick-fil-A at the Atrium." Favorite restaurant off campus: "Sushi Blues or Cava." Favorite memory from being on the football team: "Beating No. 9 Clemson and seeing the fans storm the field." What you see yourself doing once your playing career is over: "Working in the business office or administration office for an athletics department." One word to describe head coach Dave Doeren: "Loyal." — Matt Carter GETTING TO KNOW Among centers with at least 300 snaps played through Oct. 11, Gibson ranked 19th nationally in PFF overall grade (72.9) and seventh in pass blocking (77.7). PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS Five games into the 2021 season, Gill holds NC State's all-time record in career punting average (46.3). PHOTO BY ETHAN HYMAN/COURTESY NEWS & OBSERVER