Gary Gregory has managed to play every position of the offensive line during practice the last four years at NC State, even if it hasn't always happened in games.

Gregory is one of three active NC State players from the Orlando area who are making a homecoming trip to play at Central Florida on Saturday. He joins fifth-year senior wide receiver Jarvis Williams and sophomore running back James Washington, who missed the season opener with a hamstring injury.

Gregory needed eight tickets for the game, but was also helped that one of his uncles is a Central Florida season ticket holder, and his brother goes to school there.

"This is a big one, I guess, with my whole family going to be there," said Gregory, who went from loving to play left guard to now enjoying his stint at right guard.

The fifth-year senior backs up redshirt sophomore right guard Zach Allen, but has played wherever NCSU offensive line coach Don Horton needs him. The 6-foot-4, 325-pounder was a late bloomer at Apopka High under then coach Ty Ensor. He remembers coming out for football his sophomore year for the first time, and being limited by a prior ankle injury. He grew up playing basketball and soccer.

"I had broken my ankle in eighth grade, and I didn't do anything," Gregory said. "When I got there [for football practice], my mom was the one who got me on the team. The first time we did it [run a lap], I hadn't run in forever. I was out of shape. I got progressively better at running a lap or two. If I had to run laps now, it would be pretty easy.

"I was always a bigger kid, but I wasn't this fat. When I got to high school, I figured I'd play offensive line."

Gregory knows how far he's come since running those laps. He is thankful of the opportunity he's received at NC State, where he's working on a double major.

"I never thought I'd make it this far," Gregory said. "I'm proud of that. Football has always been hard. You have some guys where it comes easy to, but everybody has to work hard.

"I want to finish my degree, and my teammates have helped me through. I should be done by the spring. I'm majoring in parks, recreation and tourism management and in interpersonal communication."

Gregory might have been a surprised football recruit at the time for the Wolfpack, but he's made sure to take advantage of his opportunities in Raleigh. Gregory has mostly toiled in anonymity on the field. He played a career-high 35 snaps against Murray State last year en route to 49 plays spread out over four games. He also appeared in two contests his redshirt sophomore year.

Gregory opened his last year at NC State with 10 snaps against Western Carolina. He might not play much against the Golden Knights, but he long ago accepted that he'd rather be a good teammate and student at NC State than to receive more playing time at a smaller school.

"I was happy to play [against WCU], and it was a good time," Gregory said. "We beat them pretty good, and they are a good team.

"I've always tried to help [younger linemen] with the plays because some of them will get confused about the play. I'll tell them what not to do and to stay positive. Everybody messes up sometimes, but you have to stay positive because sometimes you'll put your head down and mess up the next play."

Gregory said the three straight wins over rival North Carolina are his favorite football memories during his time at NC State.

"I always wanted to come here, and it was a blessing, I guess you could say," Gregory said. "You can't play football forever, but I've had a good time. I'm not bitter or anything by not playing."