The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1000643
112 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018 DEFENSIVE PLAYER TO WATCH NICK McCLOUD, JR., CB NC State junior cornerback Nick McCloud figured teams would eagerly challenge him last season because he was a new guy in the starting lineup. The Rock Hill, S.C., native played extensively in two games as a true fresh- man — wins over North Carolina and Vanderbilt. "If I was on the other side, I'd want to test the younger corner too," he said. "I feel I got that a lot against UNC and Vandy, but I held up pretty good those two games." NC State cornerbacks coach George Barlow's approach to bring McCloud along slowly has paid off handsomely for the Wolfpack. "I think that was a good move," McCloud said. "Com- ing in from high school, I thought I knew a lot. There is so much more from high school to college that you have to understand about the game mentally and physically." The key is how a player approaches practice, he continued. "I was telling Mike [Stevens] and somebody else that Satur- days feel like practice," McCloud said. "I'm trying to prepare so well on the field at practice, and then to watch film. "The game is really slowing down for me obviously." Marshall wide receiver Tyre Brady was a good example of McCloud wanting to take tough challenges. Brady had a prolific first half last year, hauling in seven passes for 200 yards while going against former NCSU cornerback Jonathan Alston, but McCloud was able to slow him down in the second half, limiting the star to four catches for 48 yards. "That is something that you live for," McCloud said. "People don't know you unless you do stuff like that. I feel like I was ready for the moment, and then I just have to execute." McCloud guarded Willie Johnson of Marshall in the first half, who led the Thundering Herd in receptions against Miami (Ohio) in their sea- son opener. The speedy Johnson was also quiet against McCloud, finishing with four catches for 20 yards and a score. McCloud looks forward to getting the chance to one day cover the top wide receivers more consistently. "You have to stay on top of routes and break back to the man," he said. "It's just small stuff. To be real, everybody has talent." Confidence won't be an issue with the 6-1, 189-pounder. He has that cornerback swagger. "It comes from the work that I put in," McCloud said. "We all work hard and everyone in the nation works hard, but I feel like I have worked really hard to get to this point. I feel like nothing is going to take that away from me." McCloud com- piled 34 tackles, seven passes broken up and one interception as a sophomore in 2017. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN