The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1516111
MARCH/APRIL 2024 ■ 43 quarterback perfectly. While McCall was a game-changer on the field, Hertz was also impressed with how he interacted with his teammates. "The first thing that jumped out at me was that he had all the components of a good leader," Hertz said. "Very likable, worked hard, everybody respected him. He obviously had the talent, and on top of that, he was a great competitor. "When you've got someone who's a great competitor and a great leader as well, then you've got a guy who's pretty fun to coach." McCall shined in the Pirates' triple option. He racked up 3,863 yards and 34 touchdowns through the air in his career, but his real strength was as a dual-threat player. In addition to his passing yards, he logged 3,003 yards and 41 touchdowns on the ground. McCall led the Pirates to the state semi- finals as a senior, compiling 1,337 pass- ing yards and 9 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,460 yards and 21 scores. He surpassed 100 rushing yards in six games. McCall was so proficient as a runner that he created confusion among college coaches. Sometimes they would walk up to McCall after a game and ask him what position he played. Those coaches as- sumed he was a running back, but he was quick to correct them. He was a quarter- back — even if he only threw the ball 10 to 12 times per game. 'He's A Winner' McCall's name came up quickly when Tim Beck stepped to the podium for the Sun Belt Conference's media day last July. Beck, who had served as NC State's offen- sive coordinator for three seasons before taking the head coaching job at Coastal Carolina before the 2023 campaign, was familiar with McCall, having watched him through the years. Beck had been impressed with both his on-field perfor- mance and his demeanor. "He's a winner," the coach said. "He just finds a way to win. It just oozes out of him like some great quarterbacks that I've been around. … It's like having another coach, really." McCall's success at Coastal Carolina may be best illustrated by his bio on the team's website. It's long. Very long. Before even scrolling through the breakdowns of his five seasons with the Chanticleers, one sees the list of all his awards — 101 lines' worth. Among the dozens of entries are three Sun Belt Player of the Year awards. He's the first player to be honored by the conference three times. As the accolades attest, McCall was able to help put Coastal Carolina on the map during his time in Conway, S.C. He led the Chanticleers to bowl appearances in his first three seasons as the starter, compiling a 31-7 mark in that span. McCall's final season at Coastal was less successful. Knocked out of action by the concussion he suffered at Arkansas State, the veteran quarterback played in only seven games and passed for a career- low 1,919 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also tossing a career-high 6 interceptions. "I had other plans, and obviously that injury hindered me from doing some of those things I wanted to accomplish," he said. "It had a lot of ups and downs. I learned a lot about myself and what it takes to be level-headed through those wins and tough losses." Even though his career at Coastal Caro- lina ended prematurely, McCall accounted for more than 10,000 passing yards, with 88 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He also totaled 1,113 rushing yards and scored 18 touchdowns on the ground. Although he did not finish his ca- reer with the Chanticleers, like McCall thought he would, he was grateful for his time on the teal-colored football field. "I think I just grew into a man, grew up in terms of discipline and how to take care of my body, how to attack every day," he said. "I have the best mindset I've ever had throughout my college career. I love that place, and it molded me into the man and player I am today." The Transfer Portal When McCall decided after the Chanti- cleers' 2023 regular season that he wanted " He's going to do everything he can. That's just the way he's always been — he doesn't give up. He's not going to give up. " Jody McCall on his son, Grayson After redshirting as a true freshman in 2019, McCall went 31-7 over the next three seasons as Coastal Carolina's starting quarterback. PHOTO COURTESY COASTAL CAROLINA ATHLETICS