Gulf Shores' Ronnie Royal (2) celebrates after helping to win the 5A AHSAA State Championship Game in Bryant-Denny Stadium Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Gulf Shores defeated Ramsay 21-14. Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK

NC State Redshirt Freshman Safety Talks Year Two With Program

Originally posted on NC State Wolfpack on SI
By Tucker Sennett | Last updated Aug 22, 2025 6:00 AM ET

Sitting out an entire season is never easy for a player. For NC State safety Ronnie Royal III, it was difficult but not unexpected. As he sat out his freshman season after a prolific high school career, he knew what he needed to work on to see the field more in his second season.

Armed with a new skillset, Royal looks poised to be a contributor in some form during the 2025 season under Charlton Warren and DJ Eliot, the Wolfpack's co-defensive coordinators.

Royal spoke to members of the media following practice on Wednesday and discussed a variety of topics related to his development and the defense as a whole.

Watch the Press Conference Below

Below is a partial transcript of Royal's most interesting quotes.

Royal Transcript

Q: How much did redshirting last year make you hungrier to get on the field this season?

Royal: It made me a lot more hungry. I put my head down and really focused. I got to college, and at first, I didn’t know how it was going to go. I didn’t know if I was going to sit a year or go ahead and play. I had to stay ready. Be ready so you don’t have to stay ready … All I did was stay ready. Once I knew I was going to redshirt, it just made me more hungry.

Q: What has it been like to have a different voice with coach (Charlton) Warren?

Royal: He’s a great coach. He taught me a lot on technique and concepts of the game. Just having him around and listening to him every day and taking his coaching every day, I’m enjoying it a lot. It lays out understanding football a lot more and makes the game more fun.

Q: Did you tell in retrospect, how much having a former college coach helped you as your high school coach?

Royal: Yes, sir. My coaches back in high school helped me a lot. It kind of gave me a head start. Throughout my high school career, I really didn’t know that at other schools, you just play ball. He came in, he taught me a couple of things, a lot of things. That kind of gave me a head start when I got here in college.

Q: What’s the safety competition been like in camp?

Royal: It’s been great. Everybody’s competing. All we do is hold each other accountable and just have fun with. Just play ball. Like you said, it’s just a brotherhood really … it’s been great.

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This article first appeared on NC State Wolfpack on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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