Simply, Nate Irving

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NC State linebacker, Nate Irving, is going to be remembered as one of the favorite Wolfpackers of all time for many fans.  Irving will be remembered for more than just joining the likes of Vaughn Johnson, Damien Covington, Levar Fisher and others as the elite linebackers in the program’s history – he will be remembered for his heart, determination and perseverance through tragedy and challenges that few of us ever face in our life.

Others are taking note as well.

  1. On Monday, Dr. Saturday highlighted Nate’s season as the fourth most over achieving player of 2010.   (Link)
  2. Last week, Irving was named to second team, Walter Camp All-American.  (Link)
  3. Also last week, Nate shared the ACC’s Brian Piccolo Award.  (Link)
  4. On November 29th, Irving was named First Team All-ACC for the 2010 season.  (Link)

4. Nate Irving, LB, N.C. State.
Former two-star “athlete” emerged as the best player on the Wolfpack defense in 2008, only to have his entire 2009 campaign erased by a horrific car accidentthat left him with a badly broken leg, a separated shoulder and a collapsed lung before the season. He returned in top form this fall, landing a first-team All-ACC nod with 20.5 tackles for loss – including an NCAA-record eight TFLs against Wake Forest alone – with six sacks, eight QB hurries, two forced fumbles and easily the most impressive belly-to-back suplex of the season.

You can click here to view our Tag for our Nate Irving entries through the years.

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21 Responses to Simply, Nate Irving

  1. gotncstate 12/14/2010 at 9:11 AM #

    Nate “The Great” Irving, period

  2. NCStatePride 12/14/2010 at 9:21 AM #

    Nate Irving was so incredibly surprising and is a fine example of identifying talent under the RADAR. To come in as a 2 star recruit and develop into the player he is now is just amazing. Great kid who I think sometimes even got sold short in ink compared to R. Wilson. I really hope Nate goes on to be a beast and have a long career because the guy’s earned it and then some. Hopefully he’ll be a big supporter of the program even after he’s left.

  3. newt 12/14/2010 at 9:40 AM #

    Anybody know what our final record was WNP (when Nate played)?

  4. PackWolf82 12/14/2010 at 10:14 AM #

    Nate will go down as one of my favorite players in Wolfpack history. I was blessed to know him personally and work with him closely for a semester. Funny guy to be around, and I am super proud of how he came back from the tragic accident. He sure elevates everyone around him on the field, that alone is a mark of greatness IMO.

  5. section2chuck 12/14/2010 at 10:20 AM #

    I still love to watch that video of his body slam of ECU’s Dwayne Harris in 2008, that was when we first all were like “This guy is a beast”….he also had a monster game in Columbia, despite us getting beat down by the Gamecocks of coarse once we lost RW it was all but over..

  6. 4in12 12/14/2010 at 10:26 AM #

    I love me some Nate but don’t leave Thunder Dan off the list!

  7. Daily Update 12/14/2010 at 10:27 AM #

    In my era(MOC+), I would say he is the best linebacker I have ever seen at NC State. Also, our coaches used him really well this year. I wondered if moving him to the middle was the right move and it ended up working perfectly as Nate was able to disrupt opposing offenses allover the field.

    Makes me wonder if we see Cole or Manning moved to the middle next year?

    Also, agree on D. Burnette. I put him in front of Fisher actually.

  8. wolfbuff 12/14/2010 at 10:40 AM #

    Of the attributes that make a good athlete, making those around you better is the most important (for those who play team sports, obviously). In addition to the other tangibles such as work ethic, drive, etc., Nate excels at making his teammates better. Whether he does it through leadership by example, vocal leadership, or both it doesn’t matter. The fact is that the team defense (and I would venture to say offense as well) plays better when Nate is on the field doing his thing. So, in my mind, he is a great athlete not for just his stats, but for how he improves the team. So, yes, he will remain one of my favorite all-time Wolfpackers.

  9. ryebread 12/14/2010 at 10:56 AM #

    Between his effort, demeanor in interviews, and his perseverance through a horrific injury, Nate’s my favorite LB to have played at NC State. I hope the kid has a fantastic NFL career and continues to represent the school well.

    We’re proud of you Nate! Thanks for all that you’ve done!

  10. JKL 12/14/2010 at 10:56 AM #

    GOD he was fun to watch! Also think Terrell Manning will be in this category in the next 2 years

  11. wufpup76 12/14/2010 at 11:44 AM #

    Agree with everything expressed here … hope he sets some records in a final bowl game as well.

  12. packbackr04 12/14/2010 at 11:53 AM #

    Tulloch was pretty good as well.

    cmon guys. nate isnt that good, he didnt even make the final list for the butkus award. that guy from UNC who has more of a “non-traditional” game even made it. (please note my sarcasm)

  13. PackerInRussia 12/14/2010 at 12:17 PM #

    Over the past 10 years ago (the beginning of my fanhood), there have been some very solid LBs in the program.

    Out of curiosity, what year did Nate come in (who recruited him is what I’m fishing for)?

  14. Wolfpack_1995 12/14/2010 at 1:05 PM #

    “Nasty Nate” one my all time NC State favs.

  15. Packfan28 12/14/2010 at 1:36 PM #

    PackerInRussia, he was in the 2006 recruiting class. He was rated 3 stars by scout.com, and in addition to us, he was recruited by Virginia, VT, UNC, WFU, ECU.

  16. PoppaJohn 12/14/2010 at 2:01 PM #

    Congrats Nate on all of the post season accolades. Now let’s go out with a monster bowl game!

  17. wolfpackdawg 12/14/2010 at 3:21 PM #

    I would have to add Bobby Houston to the freak LB list. His speed was unreal.

  18. BJD95 12/14/2010 at 3:38 PM #

    Nate was essentially recruited by Wendell Murphy (not kidding). Apparently, Amato had to be talked into offering him a scholarship.

    What makes his season all the more impressive is how little of the production came in the first two games, before he got back to “game speed.” I thought he was cooked. Very glad I was wrong.

  19. NCStatePride 12/14/2010 at 3:45 PM #

    I’m going to throw this out there and see if there is a negative reaction: I was sad when Lawson, Davis, and Williams left our D…. but Nate Irving is so much more than just a “good athlete”. I really am sadden to see him hang up his jersey.

    I’m with the rest of you: lets see some record-breaking in the bowl game, Nate!

  20. runwiththepack 12/14/2010 at 4:15 PM #

    When Fisher was here, we knew we would have to wait for another player like him. Fisher was great, and so was Burnett.

    But Nate is even a little better than them, and I can’t wait to find out whether he will be a starter in the NFL. I pray he will be a star in the NFL. I would be abs. thrilled to see him on the same team with Rivers. I can dream, can’t i?

    Nate has so many positive attributes, but what catches my eye the most is that when he’s on the field, he is enjoying it out there more than anybody else. When that is the case, all his other plusses are magnified, such as physical ability and, above all else, his NOSE FOR THE BALL! I would have to go back to the 70’s/80’s to name someone with that nose for the ball, like Woodrow Wilson or Jesse Campbell. I suspect his love of the game is rubbing off on the others, esp. linebackers.

    T.A. played on the other side of the ball with the same reckless enthusiasm, which I think made him one of the most exciting RB’s ever playing for the pack. But T.A. had too many minuses. I even like to hear him speak. He sounds very intelligent (for a football player!).

    I hope Nate is somehow “out of the woods” with all the injuries from the wreck, and that he goes forth and multiplies. Send your kids to NCSU, please.

    Thanks bunches, Nate, and best of luck. You deserve it. Don’t forget about your boys back in Raleigh.

  21. runwiththepack 12/14/2010 at 4:41 PM #

    When Fisher was here, we knew we would have to wait for another player like him. Fisher was great, and so was Burnett.

    But Nate is even a little better than them, and I can’t wait to find out whether he will be a starter in the NFL. I pray he will be a star in the NFL. I would be abs. thrilled to see him on the same team with Rivers. I can dream, can’t i?

    Nate has so many positive attributes, but what catches my eye the most is that when he’s on the field, he is enjoying it out there more than anybody else. When that is the case, all his other plusses are magnified, such as physical ability and, above all else, his NOSE FOR THE BALL! I would have to go back to the 70’s to name someone with that nose for the ball, like Woodrow Wilson or Jesse Campbell. I suspect his love of the game is rubbing off on the others, esp. linebackers.

    T.A. played on the other side of the ball with the same reckless enthusiasm, which I think made him one of the most exciting RB’s ever playing for the pack. But T.A. had too many minuses. I even like to hear him speak. He sounds very intelligent (for a football player!).

    I hope Nate is somehow “out of the woods” with all the injuries from the wreck, and that he goes forth and multiplies. Send your kids to NCSU, please.

    Thanks bunches, Nate, and best of luck. You deserve it. Don’t forget about your boys back in Raleigh.

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