North Carolina State QB Grayson McCall hangs up the cleats, medically retires

It is unfortunate that this talented quarterback had to step away from the game he loves so much.

On Wednesday night it was announced that North Carolina State quarterback Grayson McCall would retire from the game of football for medical reasons. McCall hasn’t played in a game since Oct. 5 against Wake Forest. He left the game with a concussion after only throwing five passes, the Demon Deacons went on to win the game, 34-30.

Since that date, the Wolfpack have waited for McCall to get healthy and return to the team as the starter. 247Sports reported the news.

“Brain specialists, my family and I have come to the conclusion that it’s in my best interest to hang the cleats up,” McCall said.

“As I feel like my whole world is being taken from me, I feel some sense of contentment. Every time my feet hit the grass, I left every single ounce of myself on that field. I always played my hardest and to the best of my ability because I never knew what play would be my last. I have no regrets throughout my career and that is something I can be proud of. I want to use this time to show my appreciation to everyone who has been along for the ride. To my family, friends, teammates, fans and all the coaches who have poured into me over the years, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Without you all, none of this would have ever been possible.”

McCall transferred from Coastal Carolina over the offseason, where he played for five seasons. During that time he threw for 10,005 yards with 88 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. This season with the Wolfpack, McCall threw for 518 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in four games.

I strongly doubt this is the last we hear from Grayson McCall. His strong passion for the game will likely lead him back to the game in some capacity.

QB Grayson McCall retires from playing football

McCall had some draft hype back in 2022 and 2023 while at Coastal Carolina, but injuries have ended his playing career

A couple of draft cycles ago, there was hype for a quarterback named Grayson McCall. Then playing at Coastal Carolina, his deep-armed accuracy, toughness in the pocket and unflappable leadership had him tabbed as a potential draft prospect.

A change in coaching at CCU dampened the NFL enthusiasm for McCall in 2023, and he transferred to North Carolina State for the 2024 season. And now, he’s calling it a career.

In a lengthy, emotional social media post, McCall announced he is retiring from football. He’s suffered through several concussions in his playing career and has not played since being carted off the field in the Wolfpack’s October 5th game against Wake Forest.

“I look forward to taking my passion and love for the game into the coaching space to serve and lead the next group of kids with a dream,” McCall wrote as part of his Instagram post, which we’ve included below.

Good luck to McCall in whatever he pursues, and thank you for the fun and fond memories of your playing career.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBfFNXKp2Y5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

NC State quarterback announces his retirement from football due to injury

NC State quarterback Grayson McCall announced his retirement from the sport on Wednesday, citing medical advice following a recent injury.

Grayson McCall, who entered the 2024 college football season as the starting quarterback for the NC State Wolfpack, announced his retirement through an Instagram post on Wednesday.

“I have battled injuries my whole career, but this is one that I cannot come back from,” McCall wrote. “Brain specialists, my family, and I have come to the conclusion that it is in my best interest to hang the cleats up.”

McCall had not played since an October 5 game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons when he took a scary hit to the head. A trio of defenders closed on him at the same time, knocking off his helmet during the tackle. He was carted off the field and taken to a hospital, but he was released later that same day.

It was the second time McCall left a game and went to a hospital with a head injury over the past two seasons. As the quarterback for Coastal Carolina in 2023, he spent a night in a hospital after a hit against Arkansas State last October.

“I look forward to taking my passion and love for the game into the coaching space to serve and lead the next group of kids with a dream,” McCall wrote on Wednesday.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBfFNXKp2Y5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

The Blue Devils are scheduled to play NC State in Raleigh on November 9.

North Carolina State quarterback Grayson McCall by the numbers

North Carolina State quarterback Grayson McCall by the numbers during six-year college career.

Graduate student quarterback Grayson McCall kicked off his sixth college football season in North Carolina State’s, 38-21, win versus Western Carolina during Week 1.

McCall completed 26-of-40 passing attempts for 318 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also recorded 16 rushing yards on five attempts. His longest rushing attempt was 11 yards.

McCall transfered to the Wolfpack after playing at Coastal Carolina from 2019-23.

With the Chanticleers, he completed 710-of-1,016 passing attempts for 10,005 yards, 88 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

McCall also totaled 1,113 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns on 350 attempts.

The 6-foot-3, 221-pound quarterback is from Porter Ridge High School in Indian Trail, North Carolina.

McCall and North Carolina State will play Tennessee on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kickoff between the Vols and Wolfpack is slated for 7:30 p.m. EDT and will be televised by ABC.

PHOTOS: Tennessee starting quarterbacks through the years

Grayson McCall. Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Most intriguing transfer portal quarterbacks for Ohio State

Who are the most interesting quarterbacks in the transfer portal that fit what Ohio State is looking for?

We’re all watching and waiting on what the Ohio State football team will do with the transfer portal this time around. Before all of that, it makes sense to examine where things stand with the quarterback position.

I want to make sure that it is very clear this list is not the top transfer portal quarterbacks, but the most intriguing. I am also glad I waited to write this piece, despite some of the guys on the list committing to other schools, because we do have a much clearer idea of what this coaching staff is looking for if they were to add a gunslinger in the portal.

Ryan Day didn’t make any insane decisions immediately, because it appears he has a ton of faith in the current quarterback room of Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz. There are no doubt some potential recruits the staff is excited about as well. I respect that.

It looks like Day isn’t going to make a move unless the guy is older with starting experience and is a clear and obvious upgrade over what is in the room, but the five quarterbacks below are guys in the portal I thought would be an interesting addition and where things stand.

Grayson McCall expected to commit with Vols’ 2024 opponent

Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall is expected to commit with a Tennessee 2024 opponent.

Coastal Carolina redshirt senior quarterback Grayson McCall is expected to commit to North Carolina State.

“Coastal Carolina transfer quarterback Grayson McCall is expected to commit to NC State, a source tells On3 Sports,” Pete Nakos announced on Wednesday.

Tennessee will play North Carolina State on Sept. 7, 2024 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound McCall appeared in 42 games at Coastal Carolina from 2019-23. He recorded 10,005 passing yards, 88 passing touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 1,113 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns.

Student-athletes can enter the NCAA transfer portal from Dec. 2 until Jan. 2, 2024. Players can also enter the NCAA transfer portal from April 15-30, 2024.

READ: Updated Tennessee football NCAA transfer portal tracker

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Lincoln Riley, USC need to grab QB Grayson McCall in the transfer portal

Lincoln Riley’s job is to win games and championships. Miller Moss knows that.

The biggest topic surrounding USC football right now (Thursday, November 30) is the defensive coordinator search, which could be nearing its conclusion. While that drama continues to unfold, however, another really big question hovers over USC: Should Lincoln Riley make a move in the transfer portal for a one-year rental at quarterback, or is the Miller Moss-Malachi Nelson combo good enough for 2024 in the Big Ten?

We should get more information and perspective on this question during and after USC’s bowl game, in which Moss and Nelson will get meaningful reps with Caleb Williams presumably sitting out and preparing for the NFL combine and draft. Yet, before the bowl game arrives, would anyone think that Miller Moss — whom observers generally agree is ahead of Malachi Nelson in overall progression and evolution — is fully ready to lead this offense?

We haven’t seen Moss play enough, to be honest. He could be good enough, but we need to see him thrive in Lincoln Riley’s offense first.

If we’re being brutally honest — which is what we try to be around here at Trojans Wire — Riley needs to spring for Grayson McCall, the grad transfer quarterback who will be in the portal when it opens on December 4.

Grayson McCall won 11 games at Coastal Carolina a few seasons ago. He and former Coastal coach Jamey Chadwell worked well together. McCall would give USC a proven quarterback not only for the 2024 season, but specifically for that huge 2024 opener against LSU, who will not have Jayden Daniels in Las Vegas.

If USC wants to win big in 2024, McCall gives the Trojans more upside than Miller Moss, at least as things currently stand. Lincoln Riley needs to make this move … or consider another elite portal quarterback if the options exist.

Visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, and Ducks Wire.

Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall will enter the transfer portal

Hello, Lincoln Riley!

USC football faces a lot of big questions this offseason. One is whether to grab a top quarterback in the transfer portal or count on one of Miller Moss or Malachi Nelson to lead the offense in 2024. The high-profile quarterbacks entering the portal are significant names, players Lincoln Riley should seriously consider bringing to USC.

It is early in the portal season — the portal officially opens on December 4 — but if Riley has thoughts about adding an elite quarterback, he has an option right now: Grayson McCall.

The Coastal Carolina quarterback, who made the Chanticleers a formidable program, has reportedly chosen to enter the portal. McCall helped Coastal Carolina — a small school based in Conway, South Carolina — win a total of 20 games in the 2021 and 2022 seasons combined. Coastal won 11 games in 2021, with McCall being the engine who powered the Chanticleers’ offense.

McCall would be a grad transfer and a one-year rental. He will be coveted by a lot of programs. Lincoln Riley definitely has something to think about here.

Visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, and Ducks Wire.

2024 NFL Draft: Quarterbacks to watch for Week 8 of college football

From Caleb Williams to Jordan Travis, keep your eyes on these 2024 NFL draft prospects during week 8 of college football

There is nothing on Earth like college football.

Unbelievable upsets, fans storming the field, highlights that can only come from 18-to-22-year-olds that have no regard for their well-being. It’s a level of chaos befitting of taking up an entire Saturday.

Amidst all that chaos, there are those diamonds that can help elevate an NFL team to the next level. Most notably at the quarterback position.

Today, we discuss draft-eligible quarterbacks that are looking to take over the reigns of an NFL team in the next year.

Here are some of the matchups to look for this weekend that feature draft-eligible quarterbacks:

  • UCF @ #6 Oklahoma (11 a.m. CST, ABC)
  • Mississippi State @ Arkansas (11 a.m. CST, ESPN)
  • Western Michigan @ Ohio (11 a.m. CST, CBSSN)
  • Washington State @ #9 Oregon (2:30 p.m. CST, ABC)
  • #17 Tennessee @ #11 Alabama (2:30 p.m. CST, CBS)
  • South Carolina @ #20 Missoui (2:30 p.m. CST, SECN)
  • North Texas @ #23 Tulane (2:30 p.m. CST, ESPN 2)
  • #8 Texas @ Houston (3 p.m. CST, Fox)
  • Virginia @ #10 North Carolina (5:30 p.m. CST, CW Network)
  • Coastal Carolina @ Arkansas State (6 p.m. CST, ESPN+)
  • #2 Michigan @ Michigan State (6:30 p.m. CST, NBC)
  • #16 Duke @ #4 Florida State (6:30 p.m. CST, ABC)
  • Army @ #19 LSU (6:30 p.m. CST, SECN)
  • #14 Utah @ #10 USC (7 p.m. CST, Fox)
  • Clemson @ Miami (7 p.m. CST, ACCN)
  • Arizona State @ #5 Washington (9:30 p.m., FS1)

2024 NFL draft scouting 1st impression: Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall

Breaking down Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall v. Georgia State from a 2024 NFL draft perspective

It’s already the fourth weekend of college football, but it took until now before I got a chance to watch Coastal Carolina and quarterback Grayson McCall. The Chanticleers hosted Sun Belt rival Georgia State on Thursday night, a good challenge for the fifth-year quarterback.

McCall entered the season generally projected to be a Day 3 or priority free agent level of prospect and featured on the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl watch lists. The 6-foot-3 gunslinger had two impressive seasons of aggressively throwing down the field, leading the nation in yards per attempt in 2021 and in the top 10 in 2022.

He’s working with a new head coach in Tim Beck and offensive philosophy, one that has more sight reads and shorter, quicker routes built into the scheme, with less designed runs and RPOs, though those do still happen. Based on his performance in the loss to the Panthers, it’s a work in progress for McCall to adjust.

It could also be that the lack of a solid offensive line against a pretty strong Georgia State front had something to do with that. McCall was under heavy pressure most of the night, especially in the first half. He didn’t have a lot of time to survey the field.

McCall did some things that really detract as a prospect. He frequently stared down his primary target and didn’t deviate from the pre-snap read. It led McCall to miss seeing better options elsewhere on the field.

He also took too many avoidable hits, both as a passer and a runner. McCall has gained some bulk for his final season, and he’s going to need it if he doesn’t protect himself better. Georgia State got several big, clean, legal hits on McCall that he didn’t need to take.

There were some definite positives. McCall came out in the second half and settled into a nice groove, aided by a more concerted effort to run the ball and prevent the defense from teeing off on him. The ball placement and catchable touch on McCall’s throws stood out. The touchdown strike that capped the first Chanticleer drive of the second half showed McCall at his best.

He is tough, no doubt about it. McCall can still throw strikes on the move, just not many down the field. Not rushing the play despite being under pressure, that’s a great NFL quality and McCall showed some of that vs. Georgia State.

That McCall has an NFL future. It was a reminder of the faded middle-round draft hype McCall carried around this time a year ago, surrounded by a better overall roster. Coastal Carolina’s new offense is more NFL-friendly, but that hasn’t necessarily been friendly to McCall’s NFL prospects.

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