NC State
McCall: A dream come true for me
Coastal Carolina transfer quarterback Grayson McCall spoke to the media for the first time since transferring to State for his final season of college football. McCall spoke about his decision, what he learned from his time at CCU and what excites him about the offense
It's been very smooth. Um It's been everything I'd hoped for. Um the coaching staff here, the fans, um the teammates have welcomed me with open arms. So uh everything's been really smooth. Um Definitely a challenging transition but um very excited about the decision I made and uh really happy to be here in Raleigh. Yeah, just um you know, going to a new place first and foremost and um being around a team, uh not knowing a lot of guys, but um everyone here has, has really been super helpful and um showing me around, um you know, teaching me how they do things here and um getting to know all the guys. So it, it's been really good so far, a lot of places. Was it more for you wanting to stay closer to home or, or the fact that the program is, is on the up rise as well? Yeah, you know, location wasn't necessarily a huge factor for me. It's uh you know, my decision to come here is, you know, um the fact that that coach Doran's built such a successful program here over the years and um the fact that that he's been consistent in what he's done in the 11 years here. And um just whenever I was able to come on campus and see this place and um you know, understand the family identity that they built here and um the guys that are here and, and the success that they've had, it really interested me to come here and, um you know, knowing the interest that they had for me and, and how much they really wanted me here was, was really exciting and, um, you know, really blessed to be here, kind of a dream come true for me and just happens to be that I'm, you know, two hours down the road from home. So it's, it's, it's very cool. What excites you about? Yeah, it's, uh it's very unique. Um, you know, an offense I can definitely see myself thriving in. Um and then when you, when you see the guys around me and the guys up front, it, it's really exciting. Um I think we have a special chance to, to do really good things on offense this year. And um I think that um we're go, we're gonna be able to throw the ball down the field and have a very strong attack in the air, but at the same time, establish a, a strong run game with um, the backs that we have the backs we brought in and, and the guys up front in the sun playing at Coast of Carolina, specifically, there's a, it's a big transition as well, just like program wise. Um, you know, what do you think, everything you went through there you learn the most that'll help you at this moment. Yeah. You know, all the, all the, the tough years, um, all the, you know, the adversity, the trials and tribulations that I was put through, um, in my career at coastal, you know, I feel like prepared me and molded me, um for this upcoming year. And um you know, mentally, I, I think I'm in the best space I've been in and um you know, finally have a good understanding of, of taking care of my body and doing the little things that, you know, will put me over the top and um give me the extra step on some of these other guys. So, um you know, I have all the resources, everything I need here to, to be the best possible player I can be. So uh really excited about it that you, oh yeah, they're impressive. Um For sure, I've been able to get out on the field with them um over the past couple of weeks and uh a lot of talent here for sure. And um you know, some of the older guys that are leading the charge and, and then you see the these new guys that we got in from the portal um really exciting. So it's just our job to do the little things continuing to put in the work, um, get on the same page, uh, develop that chemistry and, um, it's, it's really exciting for me for sure. Do you have any conversations with coach? For sure. Um It, it was definitely, it was definitely cool. Um, coach back had nothing but good things to say about this place and, um, you know, e every question I had he was able to answer for me and, um, you know, they're obviously really excited that I'm here and, um, it's pretty cool that, that obviously he came from here and he's at coastal now. And, um, but yeah, they're fired up about me being here and, and they had nothing but good things to say about this place. That's what you guys are shooting for that. Yeah, I know. It's talk like that doesn't often happen. Yeah, it's, um, you know, we have a real chance at it. It's, it's very realistic if we, if we take care of business and handle, you know, um, what we need to do, we're, we're gonna be up there. And, um, that's kind of been our motto throughout this, this winter training and, and into the summer is the number 12. Um, obviously you have, you have 12 games and, and you have a 12 team playoff. So, um, we're very excited about it. We know that we have to show up every day and put in the work to be able to get to that point. But, um, very realistic opportunity and, and something that we're really excited, uh, looking forward to it. Yeah, you know, I, I think I'm, I'm still out to prove something, you know, a lot of people, um, four years ago didn't think I could play at this level. Um, and I think I've kind of proven that but I, I still, um, kind of searching for respect and showing these people what kind of player I am, um showing my teammates here and these coaches, what type of leader I am and uh what, what, what, what kind of guy I am off the field. Um, but yeah, I think it's, um it's, my attitude is really similar to a lot of these guys here. Um, you know, the past couple of years they've been one or two games away from getting over the hump and, um I think we're all here to, to prove something and, um, you know, this is the year to do. I got one last shot at this thing. So, um very blessed to be here really excited about this opportunity and I, I can't wait to go.