RALEIGH - It was 5:22 a.m., with a full moon still aglow in the southern sky Friday when N.C. State tight end Anthony Hill wheeled his car into the Murphy Center parking lot.

It was time to meet tailback Jamelle Eugene. Time to lift weights, sweat, work, run.

Time to be leaders.

"They're the first ones here every morning," said Todd Rice, the Wolfpack's director of strength and conditioning. "And when your best players are your hardest workers, everything else kind of falls into place."

Eugene was one of State's best players last season. Taking over as the starter at midseason after injuries to Toney Baker and Andre Brown, the redshirt junior had three 100-yard rushing games and was named the team's most valuable player for 2007.

As for Hill, he also was one of the Pack's best -- two years ago.

Last July, Hill was forlorn. Arguably the top tight end in the ACC heading into his senior year, he tore up his left knee in an informal passing drill and was facing reconstructive surgery. There would be no football.

"It was," Hill said, "a bad time."

But just look at him now. Rangy at 6 feet 6, he weighs 264 pounds. He has lowered his body fat.

"I can see my abs for the first time since my sophomore year," Hill said, flashing a smile.

He's also ready to hit, and be hit, again. Hill, his left knee in a heavy brace, was in on much of the Pack's spring work but held out of contact drills.

"But I can't wait for preseason practice," he said. "I've been waiting a long time. I can't wait to get that first hit behind me and move on to the second one.

"It's just going to be great to be 100 percent, come in and be just like the rest of the guys."

As for the Pack's opening game, Aug. 28 at South Carolina, just the mention of it can get Hill's heart rate racing.

"It may be the most emotional game I've ever played in," he said.

Most expect Hill, a redshirt senior from Houston, to be named a team captain this season. With it comes responsibility, but Hill will gladly accept it and do all he can to help, encourage -- and possibly inspire -- his teammates.

One way is setting his cell-phone alarm for 5 a.m. this summer, then ignoring the urge to smash it or toss it in another room and get in a few more winks. Eugene does the same.

"You have to set the tone," Eugene said. "We do more before 8 o'clock than most people do in a day.

"Hopefully the team will follow our lead. Eventually, they'll jump ahead of you and make you jump ahead of them. That's what it takes to win."

Once at the Murphy Center, there is little chit-chat or laughter. Not in the weight room. While defensive end Willie Young predictably has a few things to say -- "Look at Anthony's pretty smile," he teases -- it is mostly business, the floor constantly shaking as dead weights slam down.

"Jamelle was always our hardest worker and used to be a clear-cut exception," Rice said. "Now, that kind of work is more the norm for everyone.

"Last year was frustrating for Anthony. He felt like he was on the outside looking in, like he wasn't a part of it. But he battled through it to become one of our really good leaders."

On Friday, Hill and Eugene stretched, then hit the weight room. They did 300-pound power cleans, followed by squats, lateral pulls, hanging leg raises.

Next, Hill, Eugene and about 50 players -- the others work out later in the day -- took to the practice field for agility drills, running around cones. Then more running -- 60 yards up and back.

"Pretty intense," Hill said.

While Rice was in charge, Pack coach Tom O'Brien was on hand for a look. So, too, were offensive coordinator Dana Bible and defensive coordinator Mike Archer.

After one drill, Rice shouted, "Gather 'em up, Anthony."

Hill did just that, the players running to surround him.

"One, two, three, FULL SPEED," they chanted, with Hill's the loudest voice.

"I'm supposed to be the leader of the team," Hill said later. "That's the role I'm taking on now. A much bigger role."

Hill, a brutally effective blocker, was the Pack's leading receiver with 45 catches in 2006, when he was named second-team All-ACC. With 20 career starts and more than 1,000 offensive snaps, he has invaluable experience.

O'Brien didn't have Hill available in his first season with the Pack. Now, he does.

"I look at last year as it happened for the better for me," Hill said. "I'm ready. I haven't played a game yet for Coach O'Brien. I can't wait until Aug. 28. I really think this can be a special year."