The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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JULY/AUGUST 2024 ■ 27 "I just needed to grow personally — mentally and emotionally," he said. "That was the biggest thing for me. I don't think I was ready to start real life yet. After I made the decision, having that weight off my shoulders and not having to stress about that yet was a re- ally good thing for me." Vann has embraced his role on the defense and likely will be viewed as the Wolfpack's leading voice now that line- backer Payton Wilson is gone. But it was not an easy step to take. Vann had to grow into his role as a leader, and it ap- pears to have paid dividends. "The best players seem to be your best leaders at times, whether they talk or not," NC State defensive line coach Charley Wiles said. "Guys that make plays, the other dudes are going to listen to them. He had to grow emotionally to be prepared in the talking part. His play certainly has been elevated to where he's thrust into this leadership role, but him being emotional and sometimes in his career getting frustrated and that coming out, he's really worked hard on that part of his leadership. "Now, he's got more patience," Wiles continued. "He understands he was that young kid at one point in his career. I think he's learned how to deliver the message." An Important Voice As Vann has grown off the field, he has figured out ways of maintaining the right mindset going into practice or a workout. It starts every morning with positive words of affirmation that he recites. He also takes a few moments to work on his breathing, creating a clear focus on what he wants to accomplish that day. "It just starts, for me personally, with my mentality," Vann said. "What do I think when I wake up? … I'm just trying to find the small things to help boost my game." That shift in thinking — and growth outside of football — mirrored for- mer NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb's development, Doeren noted. "His ability to get out of his comfort zone and speak when he needs to speak, those are the growth areas that you see with Davin," Doeren said. "He's in a re- ally good place. He's got peace right now, and he's got a good routine. He's bought into the things off the field that he needs to do to get his mind to where he wants it." While Vann has become an important voice in the locker room, his presence on the gridiron has been just as palpa- ble over the past three seasons. He has improved his numbers year after year, churning out career-best campaigns in succession. Vann's 2023 season was his most dominant — 42 total tackles with 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble — yet he only garnered a third-team All-ACC selec- tion. Wiles, who has coached Vann since his redshirt freshman season, was as- tonished that a player he described as the league's "most disruptive pass rusher" was overlooked. That snub seemed to leave Vann with a chip on his shoulder, another reason for his return to Raleigh. Wiles was thrilled to have him back. "We need him on this football team for our success," the veteran assistant coach said. "I love being around the kid. I like coaching him. Obviously, I've had a lot of guys in my room over the years, but he's certainly going to be in that top portion of favorite people to coach. He's smart. When a guy can take coaching from the video and take it to the field, you see him work on his deficiencies and see them get better. That's just spe- cial. Not everybody can do that. You can never take that for granted." Tools For Success Vann has continued to improve his pass rush techniques during the off- season and is looking for another dom- inant year as part of the Wolfpack's three-man front. But as he was quick to note, team success isn't simply a matter of one player excelling, no matter how effective that player may be. "We're working as a unit," Vann said. "That's something we're stressing this year, not having an offensive line be able to just handle one guy the whole game. They've got to worry about everybody." While the unit as a whole is expected to be strong, within defensive coor- dinator Tony Gibson's 3-3-5 scheme, Vann is among the best to play on the edge. "His production on the stat sheet has grown each year," Wiles said. "When you can pull off the 13 games that we played [last season], there's produc- tion, man. There's disruption. And he's just gotten better." Vann has set himself up for another big season with the Wolfpack, and whether he decides to pursue the NFL afterward or begin a career outside of football, Wiles said the evolution he's seen in the pass rusher will set him up for prosperity in any stage of life. "Davin is talented, and he's worked hard for that," Wiles said. "It was there, but it was unrealized. Collectively, ev- erybody in this building has been in- volved in that development. … He's equipped and ready to go attack any- thing once he leaves NC State. There's hopefully a lot of success out there waiting on him, but he's in the posi- tion now where he's got all the tools he needs to have success." ■ " He's got peace right now, and he's got a good routine. He's bought into the things off the field that he needs to do to get his mind to where he wants it. Dave Doeren on Vann ■ Vann By The Numbers Total Season GP Solo Asst. Tackles TFL-Yds Sacks-Yds PD FF FR 2020 5 2 0 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 2021 12 9 17 26 4.5-24 4-23 3 0 0 2022 13 17 16 33 8-40 4.5-29 1 1 0 2023 13 17 25 42 7-52 5.5-48 1 1 1 Total 43 45 58 103 19.5-116 14-100 5 2 1