By Emily Brooks
Staff Writer
On Sept. 10, Tobais Palmer caught a 65-yard touchdown pass to score for N.C. State in the third quarter game against Wake Forest in an attempt to help the Wolfpack come back to win. Four years earlier, Palmer sat in the classrooms of Northwood as a typical high school student.
“After scoring in the game against Wake, I just knew that there were going to be more good things to happen in the season and that I just have to put in more work to get better,” said Palmer.
Although he is now playing football for a large, Division I university, Palmer took a long road to get where he is now.
Palmer, a five foot eleven, 175-pound wide receiver, graduated from Northwood in 2008. He excelled in athletics, especially football. During his career at Northwood, Palmer rushed for over 4,700 yards and scored more than 80 all-purpose touchdowns in three seasons. Scout.com ranked him a three-star recruit and the No. 41 cornerback in the country.
He had originally signed with NC State in 2008, but did not qualify academically and ended up at Georgia Military Academy.
“The first year I didn’t like [Georgia Military], I didn’t want to be there. But I dealt with it,” said Palmer.
While playing football for the school, Palmer helped lead the team to a bowl game. He graduated with his associate’s degree and was also on the President’s list for academics.
“[My two years at Georgia Military] not only made me grow as a student-athlete, but as a person. I developed better time-management and became more responsible. It just helped me out a lot; it helped my character,” said Palmer.
Upon his completion of his two years at Georgia Military, Palmer moved to Raleigh to finish his college years at N.C. State. After being redshirted last year, Palmer is now taking the field as a wide receiver for the Wolfpack. He has excelled at State not only athletically, but also academically. Palmer said he made the Dean’s list while he has been there.
“It has been a good experience so far; it has made me into an all around better person,” Palmer said.
Though he is enjoying his time there, Palmer admits that the most challenging part of State is getting up in the mornings. During the season, Palmer has workouts at 6:45 a.m. every morning. During the offseason, he has workouts at 4:30 a.m.
It may have taken Palmer a long time to get where he is, but his high school coaches always knew he would go far.
“I remember his athletic ability more than anything,” Northwood football coach Bill Hall said. “His sophomore year I remember him having five touchdowns against Burlington Cummings, and within that game he had 503 all purpose yards, an 80-yard reception as well as setting a school record with a 99-yard touchdown run. It was an amazing night.”
Northwood Assistant Coach Brian Harrington shared the same memory of Palmer.
“He was definitely a superstar and wasn’t afraid to be a superstar. He was very coachable. I guess in one word: amazing,” Harrington said.
“He has always wanted this,” said Hall.
“He has worked hard, he has been working since his freshman year of high school for this. I haven’t missed a home [football] game at State since he has been there.”
Aside from football, in 2008 Palmer finished first in the 100-meter dash at the NCSAA 2-A Track and Field State Championship. His senior year he was named the Chatham County Athlete of the Year.
As far as his future goes, Palmer said that he is just taking it day by day.
“Only God knows what will happen. I go out and I practice hard, and when game day comes, I play,” Palmer said. “Hopefully by the time I graduate and my career here is over, there will be somewhere else where I can hopefully go and play. If not, I will see what life has planned for me.”
