The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543694
MARCH/APRIL 2026 ■ 35 possibly No. 1, depending on who's doing the evaluating — but he wasn't Miami Gardens' best player. Nor was Bailey or Trader. It was Gause. Dubbed "Bullet" from a young age, he barreled through defenders with ease. Highlight reels from those days confirm it. It was as if he played with the same frame that he boasts now at 5-foot- 11, 212 pounds. "Bullet was a man," Mack said. "People did not want to tackle him." Toro Wallace, who coached Bailey, Gause and Trader as the offensive coordi- nator at Chaminade-Madonna Prep dur- ing their high school careers, was among those who made sure to watch the Ravens as players came up in the youth scene. What he saw from Gause at that age is similar to what NC State will get from the bruising runner after two seasons at UNC, in which he rushed for 585 yards and 7 touchdowns on 128 attempts. "He was the most physical player on the football team," Wallace said. "He ran the ball viciously, seeking out contact. But he was also able to run away from guys. He made a lot of big plays. In the youth level, at the smaller ages, the biggest guy on the field is usually the problem. Da- vion's always been that. He's always been the bully when it comes to the football field." The receivers wanted the ball, too, and the competition for targets made every- one better. Robinson and Trader blos- somed into coveted four-star high school recruits, and now they'll bring that blue- chip background to the Wolfpack. Trader, who caught 19 passes for 269 yards and 2 touchdowns in two seasons at Miami, seemed to be buried on the Hur- ricanes' depth chart at times. But now that he's back with Bailey with a chance to start at NC State, the receiver looks to be ready for his moment. "JoJo is one of the most talented kids I've ever seen, just one of the most natu- rally gifted people in the world," Mack said. "There aren't a lot of people who can do what he does. … He's just always been a very athletic kid. He's got some of the best hands I've seen, as far as ball skills. His hands are as good as you can ask for from anybody catching the football." Robinson, meanwhile, was hampered by injuries during his time with the Hur- ricanes. But with three seasons of eligibil- ity left, he'll have a chance to shine after making a fresh start with the Wolfpack. "Chance, to me, is an Anquan Boldin- type receiver," Mack said, referring to the former Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowler. "He's physical in his catches. He can run all the routes. He can catch the ball in contact. He takes pride in his block- ing. He's reliable on third down. If it's a situation to get him the ball, he's going to make a play. He's a tough kid. … He's just physical, and people don't want to deal with him." 'Like Riding A Bike' Championship trophies were the norm at Miami Gardens. So were the large crowds that required the Ravens to play some of their games at high school sta- diums. But for Mack, the biggest impression the quartet left on him was their willing- ness to work hard alongside one another, while also being some of the most unself- ish people he'd ever met. It's rare for elite athletes to not care about their statistics, but Bailey, Gause, Robinson, Trader and the rest of the Ravens' star-studded roster cared only about winning. "They were special kids at that age, and they just wanted to play ball, win games and be with their friends," Mack said. "There's never any ego involved in it. Never selfish. It was more of a family atmosphere." That approach hasn't changed over the years. They've all taken different paths to get back together, but the reunion at NC State has arrived. The lessons that Mack and the rest of the youth coaches instilled in their players have paid off with the de- sire for the friends to play together again in college. "They did some special things on the football field, but the highlight for me is watching them now," Mack said. "That brotherhood has endured and is lasting, and it shows now because when they had an opportunity, the guys wanted to get together. … That makes me feel the best." Although they're teaming up more than 700 miles north of where they all grew up, this quartet hasn't left their hometown in the rearview mirror. Mack is running for Miami Gardens City Council, and all four have asked how they can help with their time and financial contributions. It wasn't what Mack expected, but that's the type of relationship they all have with each other. Now, as the lifelong friends prepare to team up once again on the gridiron, they're ready to recreate the buzz from their youth league. Once again, fans will fill stadiums to watch Bailey lace passes to Robinson and Trader, while using Gause's all-around skill set to maximum advan- tage. Mack doesn't expect it to take long for the group of proven winners to get rolling once again at NC State. "I think it'll just be like riding a bike," he said. "They'll get right back on and start going right away." ■ The Miami Gardens Ravens featured many future FBS players, including (left to right) quarterback CJ Bailey, receiver Joshisa Trader and running back Davion Gause, all three of whom are now at NC State. PHOTO COURTESY ROD MACK