Gibson, Moore elected first three-time captains in NC State history
Over three-fourths of NC State‘s starting lineup from 2021 is back this year, setting up for an experience-filled 2022 season for the program. That set up for a difficult decision for the Wolfpack. With so many athletes who lead on and off the field, electing the team captains for this Fall is not an easy task.
With less than two weeks to go until the season-opening matchup against East Carolina, head coach Dave Doeren announced six members of the Pack will represent will represent the team as captains this year.
Linebacker Isaiah Moore, quarterback Devin Leary, linebacker Drake Thomas, center Grant Gibson, defensive lineman Cory Durden and offensive lineman Bryson Speas all received the honor. This is the third time Gibson and Moore have been named captains, becoming the first athletes in school history to do so according to NC State’s press release.
“We have great leadership throughout our team, but these are the best of the best,” Doeren said in the press release. “They have earned the trust and respect of their teammates and coaches and really embody the one Pack, one goal culture that we have established here.”
Both Moore and Gibson are entering their sixth seasons at NC State and have picked up plenty of accolades during their time with the program. The center led the team in snaps last year, picking up All-ACC third team honors while doing so. In his four seasons as the team’s starting center, Gibson has not missed a start and allowed a total of only 7.5 sacks during that time, while also recording 79 pancakes. He more than doubled that statistic in 2021 with 40 as a senior.
Gibson is one of the most experienced athletes in college football, so he knows how to approach the high expectations around NC State this year.
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“All the hype and stuff is good, but that doesn’t win games,” Gibson said at the start of Fall camp. “The stuff that we do out there on the field is what’s going to get the job done.”
Moore missed the second half of last season after injuring his knee against Miami, but he was on track for a career-best season. He led the Wolfpack in tackles for loss to that point in the year and still garnered All-ACC honorable mention honors despite missing part of the year. The linebacker has 39 career starts-worth of experience and has made 259 career tackles.
After rehabbing his injury, Moore is back and ready to take the field this fall alongside his fellow captains.
“I feel great,” Moore said. “I’m 100 percent. I feel like I’m ready to rock for game one.”
Leary and Thomas are now two-time captains with NC State, while Speas and Durden are making their respective debuts with title.
