NC State Football’s Alim McNeill just wrapped up his sophomore season as a starting defensive lineman for the Wolfpack. Following his All-American freshman season, McNeill finished with an impressive 5.5. sacks and a career high 28 tackles. Outside of the field, Alim is a dedicated student with a wealth of interests. I sat down with Alim to hear about his experience playing football and to learn more about his life off the field.
Where are you from? I went to Sanderson High School in Raleigh, North Carolina.
What is your major and career goals? STS, which is Science, Technology and Society. I am taking the technology route to go into computer engineering.
Why did you come to NC State? It being close to home was the biggest thing for me. I’m able to go home whenever I need something or for any emergencies. I really liked the coaches who were here at the time, and the education here is really good.
How long have you played football? I’ve been playing football since I was seven years old.
What’s football like at NC State so far? Football is great at NC State, honestly. That’s another reason I came here. I like the guys here and the culture they are building.
How often do you practice? We have practice every morning, Monday thru Friday.
What is your favorite part about playing here? Just being close to home. I played high school football in the same city, so a lot of my friends are able to come watch me play. A lot of my family, as well.
Do you have a favorite memory? Probably my first sack against Georgia State, my freshman year.
What do you like to do outside of football? I’m a car enthusiast, so I like to look at cars and learn different things about them. I often talk to mechanics to learn different things about cars. I like to shop, hang out with friends, just have a good time.
Tell me a fun fact most people don’t know! I can draw, and I make music.
Last question, where do you see yourself in ten years? That’s a great question. I see myself being a computer engineer, developing my own software, being successful. Ten years from now, I’ll be 29, so having a family.
What about the NFL?! Well hopefully that too, but I don’t really think about the NFL that much!
Would You Rather:
Have 3 feet or 3 hands: 3 feet
Lose sense of taste or smell: smell
Only be able to whisper or shout: shout
Freeze time or travel in time: travel in time
Live without music or television: TV, for sure
Wrestle a bear or an alligator: alligator
Lose all your teeth or all your hair: every last bit of my hair!
Beach or mountains: beach
Jungle or desert: jungle
Breathe underwater or fly: fly
Go to the Moon or Mars: definitely Mars
Kiss a cobra or a jellyfish: kiss? I guess a cobra…
Fight a hundred duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck: a hundred duck-sized horses, if I see a duck the size of a horse it is game over!
Control fire or water: water
Live one life that lasts a thousand years, or ten lives that are a hundred years each: ten lives, absolutely. Although, a thousand years would be kind of cool.