The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/896287
14 ■ THE WOLFPACKER TRACKING THE PACK NC State redshirt sophomore wide re- ceiver Jakobi Meyers understands the impor- tance of being focused each and every week. The 6-2, 203-pounder discovered what inconsistent practice habits can lead to on game day. Head coach Dave Doeren elected to bench Meyers against Furman Sept. 16, shocking his young slot receiver. Meyers learned from the situation and has progressed nicely, catching 26 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns through eight games this season. The former two-star quarterback prospect originally verbally committed to Kent State, but after NC State had its lone quarterback pledge in the 2015 class decommit, the Wolfpack targeted Meyers for the position. The arrival of redshirt junior quarterback Ryan Finley allowed Meyers to play some slot receiver his redshirt freshman year, and he caught 13 passes for 158 yards. Meyers permanently moved to wideout following the season. The Lithonia, Ga., native recently took some time to discuss his breakout campaign with The Wolfpacker. What was the speech you heard leading into the Fur- man game? "It really came from my family after I let them down. I know the coaches put a lot of work into me, and I turned around and gave them that performance. "I had to sit down and talk to myself — you either get it together or get forgotten about. I didn't want to be forgot - ten about, so I picked it up. "I knew coming in [that he was going to be benched versus Furman]. I started off that week kind of slow. I deserved to be on the bench. I can't be mad at anybody but myself." How have you changed since the Furman contest? "I am just working harder. I know now that you can't be satisfied. I was happy being a starter, so I thought I had made it a little bit. "I realized that I am still fighting for more and fighting for the people that depend on me. I always have to work hard and not be satisfied at all." You responded with five catches for 112 yards, includ - ing a 71-yard touchdown, during the 27-21 win at Florida State Sept. 23. You also had the juke heard around the ACC. What was that like? "Florida State and [redshirt sophomore safety] Derwin James. In the moment, I don't hear names or see faces. It's just another person in my way. "I know he was trying to slow-play me, and I took a couple of hard steps and brought him back. Nobody was there, so I had to score. I just had to." Did you find out later that you juked star safety Derwin James at the FSU 43-yard line? "When I looked back up at the screen, I realized. I knew he was back there, but I didn't realize it was him. I just made the play when it came to me." Did your Twitter mentions blow up that night? "I got a little bit of both [love and hate]. It was 'how could you?' and 'you're classless' [for doing a flip into the end zone]. Then it fired people up. You have to take it and run with it. "People loved that [juke], and I kind of felt bad for him. I moved on from that. I heard about the flip from the coaches. It was real selfish for me to do, and I don't want to put my team in that position [getting a 15-yard penalty]. "I have to learn from my mistakes like I did with the Fur - man game, where I came back even stronger." How have you become more polished playing wide receiver? "I have great role models. [Sophomore wide receiver] Kelvin [Harmon] is younger than me, but he's out there making plays. I am trying to take what they are doing and put that in my own game. "It also provides me with competition. We are all fight - ing for balls. We have to work harder and listen to the coaches more to become better receivers. I have only been here for a year at receiver." What is the competition like for the receivers or H-back Jaylen Samuels on throwing trick-play passes? "[Senior wide receiver] Gavin [Locklear] has a nice arm. I think he played baseball back in the day. We always talk who has the best arm, all of the receivers. It's really about who has the prettiest ball. "They know I have the strongest arm, but they think they have a prettier ball. They can throw some pretty balls." How is redshirt junior quarterback Ryan Finley playing this season? "He has definitely improved. I felt like he trusts us a little bit more. He knows if he puts it in a tough spot, we'll go up and make a play. "Other than Pitt game, where I feel we let him down, we are holding our end of the bargain. The more he trusts us, the better we play." What are your goals with your sports management major? "I want to be able to help athletes financially maintain their wallets when they make it. I've seen a lot of people make it and then lose it. I want to help people as best I can." Who inspires you? "My mom, Tonija Meyers. She made it from almost nothing. She doesn't ever complain. She just pushes through, keeps her head down and keeps working. "She felt like she was a coach and a player, and could do it all. Who was I to tell her she couldn't. I could hear her in the stands no matter what game. She had an opinion on every call, whether baseball, basketball. She was the first thing you'd hear — loud and proud." — Jacey Zembal Getting To Know: Redshirt Sophomore Wide Receiver Jakobi Meyers Quick Questions Favorite athlete to watch at NC State that isn't on the football team? Chelsea Nelson in women's basketball. She's my all-time favorite and holds it down. She's my girlfriend. Favorite class at NC State? Right now, my geology class, and it isn't because I'm doing the best in it, which I'm not. It's a challenging class. Go-to place to eat in Lithonia, Ga.? My favorite place is Smokey Bones. I like the ribs and can feast out. If you didn't go to NC State, what college would you have attended? Florida. If you didn't play football in college, what sport would you like to play? I'd try for baseball to see if I still have it. I'd try pitching, and if not that I'd work my way around the field to see where I fit in. Team iPhone or Android? iPhone, I need the blue message. Favorite NFL player? Jarvis Landry [wide receiver for Miami Dolphins]. I have tried to shape my game after his. He can do a lot of things and is durable. I want to be like him. At what age did you dream about playing college athletics? It started young and I knew my best two options were either college sports or to go to the Army. I had been trying my whole life. My brother, Robert Brown, played basketball a little bit at West Point, and then he went to Morehouse. Favorite video game? NBA2K, and I'm playing with the Oklahoma City Thunder. I want Carmelo Anthony to show people what he can do. Who would you like to see in concert? Young Thug. Meyers had 26 receptions for 309 yards and three scores through eight contests this fall. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN