RALEIGH -- Nate Irving doesn't need a holiday to be thankful.
Since surviving a single-car accident five months ago, the N.C. State linebacker is happy to be alive. After falling asleep while driving back to campus from Wallace in the early hours of June 28, Irving ended up with a broken leg, broken rib, collapsed lung and a new perspective.
"I want to take advantage of the opportunity that was given to me," Irving said after an N.C. State practice earlier this week. "I want to come back bigger, stronger, faster and come back and pick up where I left off."
Irving said Tuesday that he's on track to participate in spring practice. The junior is strong enough to run again, with the compound fracture of his leg nearly completely healed. After losing 20 pounds after the accident and subsequent hospital visits and surgeries, he has put 15 pounds back on his frame, getting closer to his playing weight of 235.
"It's good to have him out there with the team," N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien said earlier this month. "For what he's gone through ... it's amazing that he's back the way he is."
As he has all season, Irving can only watch Saturday's season finale against North Carolina. With the Wolfpack's defense struggling, it has been difficult for the unit's leader in 2008 to watch opponents ring up 31.5 points per game, about 10 more per game than last year.
Irving, who led the team with four interceptions and had 84 tackles despite missing three games in 2008, knows he could help.
"I can't sit here and lie, I think about it," Irving said. "It's not so much as helping them but being out there with them and learning with them."
If all had gone according to plan, Saturday likely would have been Irving's final regular-season game. With NFL size and speed, Irving contemplated leaving State after last season but decided to return. A redshirt in 2006, Irving was eligible to go pro but wanted to improve his draft stock.
Even after the accident, which set his timetable back a year, Irving said coming back to school was the right move.
"Anything can happen," Irving said. "[The accident] could have happened last year or next year. Coming back can either help or hurt you, that's just the chance you have to decide to take."
Instead of getting ready for the draft, Irving is getting ready for his senior season. The NFL isn't even on Irving's radar. He learned the hard way not to look too far ahead in life.
