NC State’s Grayson McCall steps away from football, cites inability to recover from recent head injury.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Grayson McCall, the quarterback for North Carolina State, has decided to retire from football, as announced on Wednesday evening. This decision comes shortly after he suffered a severe hit that sidelined him for the second time this season, highlighting his ongoing struggle with injuries.

As a sixth-year player and a graduate transfer, McCall previously set multiple records during his five-year tenure at Coastal Carolina. There, he amassed over 10,000 passing yards, but his time was marred by concussion-related problems. Most notably, he was knocked out during a game against Louisiana Tech on September 14. Upon returning for his first game back, he faced another brutal hit in the first quarter against Wake Forest on October 5, which required him to be carted off the field and taken to a hospital for further assessment.

In his Instagram announcement, McCall expressed the challenges he faced throughout his career. “As you all know, I have battled injuries my whole career, but this is one that I cannot come back from,” he wrote. He went on to acknowledge that after discussions with brain specialists and his family, it was determined that it would be in his best interest to retire from the sport. “The good Lord has called me to serve in a different space,” he added, indicating he has found peace with his decision.

Hailing from Indian Trail, McCall was a sought-after three-star recruit from Porter Ridge High School. His college career at Coastal Carolina was remarkable; he accounted for 10,005 yards over 42 games with a notable record of 99 touchdown passes and only 14 interceptions. His prowess earned him the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year accolades in 2020, 2021, and 2022, alongside a streak of 23 consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass over two seasons.

Reflecting on his experience, McCall shared, “From Porter Ridge to Conway and this past year in Raleigh, this journey has been better than any dream I could’ve ever envisioned.” He expressed immense gratitude for the opportunities the sport provided, recognizing how it shaped both him and his family. He concluded with a heartfelt acknowledgment of the memories created during his football journey, underlining the impact the game had on his life.