Inside QB Grayson McCall’s path to NC State

Grayson McCall dropped back to pass early in the fourth quarter at Arkansas State with Coastal Carolina in Week 7 of the 2023 campaign, and the pocket began to collapse. He had an opening up the middle of the field, and the signal-caller took it. McCall ran 10 yards before sliding down with his team up a touchdown. But as he slid, McCall took a high hit to the head from a defender. He laid on the field, and was eventually carted off. That was the last play of McCall’s storied career at Coastal Carolina. McCall was diagnosed with a concussion, and he did not appear in another game this past season. McCall dressed for his senior day against James Madison to close the regular season, but the quarterback did not take a snap. Following the season, he had a conversation with his father, Jody. They talked about football, and whether he wanted to use his final year of eligibility. By the end of the talk, Jody left it up to McCall to decide. “It’s your decision on what you decide you want to do: continue or do you want to go out there in the world and try to find what you really want to do in life,” Jody McCall told his son. McCall stewed on the chat he had with his father, but soon after, he made up his mind. “Dad, I’ve got one more year,” McCall said. “I’ve come this far, and I’m that close.”