The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1502339
JULY/AUGUST 2023 ■ 27 BY ETHAN MCDOWELL rent Pennix went into last season thinking it would be his final run with NC State. Plans change, but the graduate student tight end is excited to be back with the Wolfpack. An injury he suffered in the season opener against East Carolina derailed his 2022 season and kept him out for the next six games. Pennix returned against Virginia Tech after taking the rehab process day by day and leaning on head coach Dave Doeren, special assistant to the head coach Ruffin McNeil, his parents and his faith for support. The tight end scored a crucial touchdown against the Hokies but left the Boston College game injured again two weeks later. Following the conclusion of the regular season, he was still mulling over a potential sixth year. Then, Robert Anae filled the program's open offensive co- ordinator posting, and Payton Wilson announced his return the day after the bowl game. "We got Coach Anae, and I just saw all the potential we had," Pennix said in an interview with The Wolfpacker. "I was like, 'We've got u n f i n i s h e d b u s i - ness.'" Pennix is doing everything he can to stay on the field during the upcoming season. "My main focus is just to be healthy and be avail- able," Pennix said. "I want to show these coaches and the NFL scouts that I can last 12 games." If he does play a complete season for the Pack, it could lead to a career year for the versatile tight end. He caught 8 passes last year, and 2 were touchdowns. Wilson, Pennix's frequent opponent in practice, ef- fusively praised his teammate. "Pennix is different," Wilson said. "In football, you always have your fast guys, then you have your big guys. Trent runs a 4.4, maybe a 4.3, and he's 250 pounds. It's awesome to go up against somebody like that in practice. "If you can defend Trent Pennix, then you can de- fend any tight end in the country. I don't care if it's [Georgia All-American] Brock Bowers or if it's any of the best in the country — none of them has what he's able to offer." Anae's offense could play a significant role in max- imizing that talent and skill. In back-to-back years, the Wolfpack coordinator has coached tight ends to All-ACC honors. First, former UVA star Jelani Woods caught 8 touchdowns to earn that recognition in 2021, and Oronde Gadsden II followed that up with 969 receiving yards at Syra- cuse the following season. Pennix watched Gadsden catch 8 passes for 141 yards when NC State lost to the Orange last year. The Wolfpack tight end re-watched that tape once Anae took the job in Raleigh and looks forward to seeing what he can do in that system. "He pretty much used him just like how he's about to use me this year" Pennix said. "I've seen how he really developed those guys to become elite players. "I feel like he could do the same thing with me." Doeren is also intrigued by the tight end's role this fall. "I'm excited for Trent," Doeren said. "This offense has got some things that can get him the ball in dif- ferent ways." The tight end said he might do everything from taking snaps out of the backfield to lining up as a receiver. NC State recruited him as a running back, and he has the skill set to take on a variety of respon- sibilities. Going into his final offseason with the Pack, Pennix embraced a challenge from the staff. He wants to be a more vocal leader. A crucial part of that role is leading the offense through player-led summer workouts and what the program calls "football school," which is extra X's a n d O 's wo rk to better understand the purpose behind the coaching staff's instructions. Anae relied on Pennix and others to jumpstart the Wolfpack's summer development. "You don't have the meeting time with your play- ers, so you work through leaders," Anae said. "Pennix is a leader." The tight end appreciates that addition to the sum- mer schedule, and Anae said he looks forward to see- ing how it translates to the field this fall. "I'm just glad I know why I'm doing what I'm doing on the field," Pennix said. NC State's new offense is built to exploit defenses in creative ways, and the tight end loves how much faster the program can operate this year while keeping processing time to a minimum. "It's so much simpler and so much faster," Pennix said. "You don't have to think that much and proba- bly get only two signals and then you're quick to play." Looking toward the fall, Pennix made one goal for the season very clear. He wants to win a bowl game. The 2021 Holiday Bowl is not enough in his eyes, and he wants to make sure he helps the team collect an- other trophy. "I want to play in a bowl game, win the ring and wear it on my finger," Pennix said. ■ " Pennix is different. In football, you always have your fast guys, and then you have your big guys. Trent runs a 4.4, maybe a 4.3, and he's 250 pounds. " Wolfpack linebacker Payton Wilson T