N.C. State fans know a lot of the reasons that you want Nate Irving on your football team.
The sophomore linebacker is tied for the ACC lead with 11.5 tackles per game. He has two interceptions and one fumble recovery in two games.
He’s the best player on a defense that might be the Wolfpack’s best hope to challenge for a bowl bid after a rough start.
They might not know another reason you want Irving on your football team.
Before every game, he writes teammate Javon Walker’s name on his glove. Walker played well late last season at safety before suffering a season-ending knee injury at Miami.
He’s out for the duration of this season, too.
I know how bad he wanted to play,” Irving said. “I just, it hurt me when I found out he couldn’t play. I almost felt his pain.”
Irving’s teammates are important to him.
“Once you’ve got guys that care about each other, it’s more of a family, like you watch my back and I’ll watch your back,” he said.
That’s a guy you want on your team regardless of the tackles he makes or the turnovers he causes.
Comments
Nate may be better than
Fri, 09/12/2008 - 09:37 — Anonymous (not verified)Nate may be better than Levar and Thunder Dan......he is EVERYWHERE, always around the ball making a play.
It is very refreshing to see our linebackers make tackles for a change, lol.
Upset special
Thu, 09/11/2008 - 18:35 — Anonymous (not verified)PREDICTION:
NCSU 24, Clem's Son 16
Damn right. Nate's the next
Thu, 09/11/2008 - 17:24 — JamesinWillowSpringsDamn right.
Nate's the next in a line of great MLBs that have come through State's doors in recent memory: Levar Fisher, Dantonio Burnette, Oliver Hoyte.