Grayson McCall, a former standout quarterback at Coastal Carolina and most recently with NC State, announced his retirement from football due to recurring head injuries, including a severe concussion suffered on October 5 against Wake Forest. McCall, 23, had a distinguished college career, achieving over 10,000 passing yards and 91 touchdowns, and was a three-time Sun Belt Player of the Year. Despite aspirations for an NFL career, persistent concussions forced him to step away from playing, as advised by medical professionals and family. McCall expressed gratitude for the support throughout his career and mentioned plans to transition into coaching, aiming to inspire and lead future players. The decision marks a significant shift for NC State, which now relies on freshman CJ Bailey to lead the team forward. McCall remains with the team for the remainder of the season, attending practices and games.