The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1527657
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 ■ 29 that's what showed them I had it in me to be the guy." Vinesett's offseason highlight was a 50-yard make in the spring game. Fol- lowing that performance, the Wolfpack coaching staff told him he was their guy moving forward. And with the starting spot came a scholarship, which he had been working toward ever since he arrived in Raleigh. "It was amazing," Vinesett said. "It took a little longer than expected, but everything happens for a reason." The scholarship was not only a goal for himself, but it was one he was look- ing to earn to help take the financial burden off his parents, who were paying out-of-state tuition to help him pursue his dreams. "Being out-of-state, it was a little bit of a struggle," Vinesett said. "That was something my parents and I talked about a lot, trying to do my best to get one. There was a lot of strain on that." Vinesett proved himself to be a reli- able option during the first month of the season. He hit 9 of 11 field goal attempts through NC State's first six games, in- cluding a career-long 52-yarder that gave the Pack a 23-20 fourth-quarter lead against Louisiana Tech on Sept. 14. His 9 points helped NC State outlast the Bulldogs, 30-20, and also earned him ACC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Kicking in front of sold-out crowds doesn't faze Vinesett. He's able to turn the crowd's roar into white noise, an ability that helps him with his accuracy. "He's a guy who does a really good job with his routine," NC State coach Dave Doeren said. "He's the same guy every day. He's got a smooth swing. … He's got a really nice leg swing that's consistent, that he can repeat, repeat, repeat." That leg motion, which Goebbel lik- ened to an elite golf swing, has always been one of Vinesett's biggest assets. He isn't sure where it came from, but his "just rip it" attitude over the ball has paid off. Vinesett knows all about the kickers who have come through Raleigh before him. He wants to make it to the NFL once his time at NC State is over, and he has turned to Narveson for advice. Currently a rookie with the Green Bay Packers, Narveson told him to just be confident. "The second you go out there and kick not to miss, you're going to miss," Vine- sett said. "You just have to be confident when you go out there." ■ Vinesett arrived in Raleigh as an invited walk-on in 2022 and has taken over the starting placekicker role this fall. The redshirt sophomore from Rock Hill, S.C., hit 9 of his first 11 field goal attempts and is now on scholarship. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS