How Red Hibbler became NC State’s key pass rusher

image_6483441 (3)by:Noah Fleischman•09/27/23•

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Red Hibbler
Sep 9, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive lineman Jykeveous Red Hibbler (47) climbs over Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Sam Hartman (10) to try and get a loose ball during the first half at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

In his Division I debut, NC State redshirt junior defensive lineman Red Hibbler had his sights set on UConn quarterback Joseph Fagnano. By the fourth quarter, Hibbler was inserted in with the Huskies driving, and the Wolfpack needed a stop. Hibbler lined up across from UConn right tackle Chase Lundt and took one step to the inside before he raced past the Huskies’ offensive lineman. From there, it was a free run at the quarterback, which for Hibbler, is the ideal scenario. The former Northwest Mississippi Community College pass rusher dashed towards Fagnano. Once he got close enough, Hibbler launched towards the signal-caller and stripped the ball away while he recorded his first sack at the FBS level. “It was so loud,” Hibbler said looking back on it with a smile. “The way everything was, I was going to cry on the field. I was just so happy. An ‘I made it moment,’ that’s what it was.”