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Thayer Thomas' story is one of the most unlikely journeys in NC State football. He went from an undersized, overlooked high school athlete who was planning to play college baseball to a preferred walk-on at NC State — and eventually became one of the most accomplished players in Wolfpack history before getting his shot at the NFL. In this episode, Thayer takes us through the entire journey: the high school game that caught Dave Doeren's attention, choosing NC State over baseball, the relentless work ethic that helped him stand out as a walk-on, his rise within the Wolfpack program, and what it was like making it to the NFL. We also talk about the lessons he learned through adversity, the role his family played in shaping him, and his perspective on the current Wolfpack. This episode is brought to you by: Yard U - Landscaping with a purpose At Yard U, they do more than just cut grass—they cultivate work ethic, responsibility, and professionalism in the next generation. By choosing YardU, you're not only getting top-tier lawn care service but also investing in the youth of our communities. A business founded by Thayer himself and other NC State alumni.

In this week's podcast, the guys recap the letdown vs. Virginia. What went wrong? Was it game planning or execution? Was CJ feeling the pressure of his new situation? How are State fans feeling, and why, after just one game it feels like the season is on the brink of disaster?

On this episode of The Pack Insiders Podcast, NC State starting running back Duke Scott joins the show for an in-depth conversation. We cover Duke's journey to State, how he persevered through injury, why he's known as a "freak" in the weight room, his freshman season breakout, how he's emerging as a leader, and his mindset heading into this season. We also get into Duke's upcoming special event. Duke Day at Galaxy Fun Park – Raleigh Come meet NC State star running back Duke Scott at Galaxy Fun Park in Raleigh! Meet & Greet: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM $40 Online Presale Your ticket includes: All-day access pass to Galaxy Fun Park (10:00 AM – 9:00 PM) Meet & Greet with Duke Scott (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM) — autograph and photo opportunities available Free jump socks included with admission Free event wristband, t-shirt & mini football 2 free raffle tickets for prize giveaways Get your tickets here: https://galaxyfunpark.centeredgeonline.com/webgroups/duke

Former NC State basketball star and 2-time NBA champion Josh Powell joins the Pack Insiders Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about his journey from Raleigh to the NBA and everything that came after. Josh gets candid about his time at NC State, why he ultimately left the program, the personal challenges he was dealing with at the time and the long road that followed. We also talk about his journey to the NBA, playing alongside Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, what it really takes to win a championship, and why the players who don't always show up in the box score are often much more important than fans realize. And now, Josh is onto his next chapter. We talk about his books, his work in the community and his new Crown3 basketball league, which is coming to Raleigh on August 30. There's a lot more in this conversation, including some great NC State stories and some fascinating insight into what life is like after basketball. Watch the full conversation and hear it directly from Josh.

NC State football GM Andy Vaughn joined us on 'The Pack Insiders Podcast' to take us behind the curtain on what it actually takes to build a roster in the modern era of college football. From NIL and revenue sharing to recruiting, roster construction and the challenge of keeping the Wolfpack's culture intact, Vaughn explains just how much his job has changed — and why NC State's commitment to culture and loyalty still drives so many of its biggest decisions. He also opens up about the fight to keep CJ Bailey in Raleigh and what that process really looked like behind the scenes.

The guys were on the sidelines for Day 1 of the NC State Football Fall Camp. They talk about who was running with the starters, who's hurt, and what surprised them. Plus, news broke yesterday that 3 former NC State players are in a lawsuit that could give them a 5th year of eligibility. They discuss the ramifications and think State might get involved if it's successful.

Lou and Matthew give their thoughts on their recent interview with NC State basketball GM Patrick Stacy, talk about Quadir Copeland's NBA summer league success (and argue over his style of play), plus talk about the 7 NC State baseball players who heard their names called at the MLB draft this past week.

NC State Basketball GM Patrick Stacy drops by the pod to talk about his journey from analytics guru to business owner to college basketball GM. Plus, he dives into what it's like building a roster in the portal/NIL era, how he and Gainey built this year's roster, and goes player by player to talk about what each guy's analtyics, what they bring to the table and how they've looked in practice.

NC State rebounding legend, Richard Howell, talks with us about how his time at NC State, how 'Beard Gang' started, what it's like coaching today's youth, his view of NC State's new roster (and coach), and introduces us to his new podcast.

We're back on the pod to discuss the big news around baseball. Avent is out, and long-time associate head coach Chris Hart is in. We share some behind-the-scenes stories and talk about why Boo Coorigan went this route. Plus 2 new basketball additions and potentially one more.

Matthew and Lou dig into NC State's roster build for the upcoming 2026-27 season. How is it different from last year? We go position by position and give our thoughts.

Justin Gainey talks about his program during his first press conference with the local media since building his roster

6'10 Kyle Evans is about to fill a desperate need for this year's Wolfpack. Evans was the nation's block leader at UC Irvine last season; however that stat overshadows the entire package he'll bring to the table next year. We sat down with him to hear about his journey, why he chose NC State, and what we can expect from him this coming season.

Matthew and Lou take a break from covering NC State sports to introduce the new podcast, talk through why Pack Insider is now Pack Pride, and discuss the vision for what's in store. If you've been along for the ride, this ones for you. If you're not interested in what's going on behind the scenes, we don't blame you, we'll be back to covering the Pack next episode when the Pack's new center 6'10 Kyle Evans joins us.

New NC State commit, RJ Keene, a transfer from Boise State, is a unique player and someone who Evan Miya called "The best player in college basketball who doesn't score." We dig into who he is and what he'll bring to NC State this coming season. Pluse his insight on the system Gainey will run and his good friend Eemeli Yalaho's status and expectations.