The East Carolina Pirates entered the 2014 season with high expectations, after winning 10 games and a bowl game in 2013, the Pirates have already shown they won’t back down no matter the opponent. Even though ECU lost by 10 to the South Carolina Gamecocks last week, the Pirates showed fight and minus a few mistakes could have won. Last season, they took down both North Carolina State and North Carolina, while also coming within five points of a victory over Virginia Tech. East Carolina has built up a solid reputation through recent years. They’re a dangerous team, and continue to remain a threat with players up front like K’Hadree Hooker.
Hooker represented North Carolina in the 2011 Shrine Bowl, and was a highly recruited player when he signed with North Carolina State. After sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, the red shirt sophomore is ready to help lead the Pirates towards another 10 win season. At 6-0 and 307 pounds, Hooker has Pirate fans buzzing about the potential devastation he can bring from the defensive line.
The former four-star recruit spoke with Campus Sports earlier this week, as he gets ready to take on Virginia Tech this Saturday.
Tell us about sitting out a year and how it affected you as a player physically and mentally.
I looked at it as a positive. I got a new start, new defense and new teammates I got to know. Jeff Carter, our strength coach; the best in country. He helped me get stronger. Playing in a 3-4 you have to be big and physical
What are the biggest differences you’ve noticed between NC State and ECU that you’ve had to get used to?
What really shocked me the most was the family environment in the football facility. The coaches really preach being a family and being one as a whole and they make sure to practice everything they preach.
What are goals you have set for the team and for the defensive line?
Ideally we want to be the best D-line in country and definitely best in conference. If we can stop the run and get to the quarterback then we’ll be great. And for the team to play together and win a conference championship and we will do that by winning game in and game out.
After a great season last year, how do you and the team plan to stay level headed and work to that level of success again?
Hard work is what is coached here. Our coaching staff is all about focus, and with that we focus one game at a time, one week at a time, and one day at a time. We aren’t a big school, so we have that blue-chip mentality that we have to work for everything we get. So we know work is what got us where we went last year, and work will be the only thing that gets us there again. Nothing is given at this level.
What are your thoughts on the USC game? What were some reasons that you think you guys lost, and how will you guys fix them moving forward?
We just made small mistakes, and we were close, but things happened and we won’t hold our heads down. We’ll just grind this week and get ready for Virginia Tech.
Heading into VT this week what do you think about them and who will have to play well to help the team leave Blacksburg with a win?
Virginia tech is Virginia Tech; they have a great defense and a good offense. In order for us to come out with a win we just have to play together and play ECU Football. Which is hard-nosed, tough, blue-collar football.
FUN QUESTIONS
If you had to choose would you say Beyonce or Rihanna?
Beyoncé easy, I mean it’s queen B! Who wouldn’t choose Beyonce!?
Who would you say the cutest girl on Campus is?
The girls are great on campus, but I’m going to have to say my girlfriend Kat Jessick.
Who is a better athlete between you and NC State’s TY McGill?
Easily myself. I can’t believe that’s a question. That’s my boy, but I’m going to have to say myself.
To stay updated with what’s going on with K’Hadree Hooker follow him below:
Twitter: bighook_9
Instagram: bighook9
*Section Photo credit to; Featured Photo (above) credit to Kim Klement, USA Today Sports
