Devin Leary discusses his recovery, relationship with Bailey Hockman

David Thompson (no, not that one!) of the Fayetteville Observer wrote an excellent piece after catching up with Devin Leary on Leary’s rehab process and how he handled the season from the Duke game onward.

Leary was honest about the mental challenges of handling a significant injury:

“It was hard to always treat this like a process. You can’t be healed in a week, and you might feel great one day and terrible the next,” Leary said. “You’re going to have ups and downs. It’s up to you to grow mentally.”

Leary channeled his energy into staying engaged with the football team and supporting Bailey Hockman, who perhaps not coincidentally ended up playing pretty well down the stretch. And the bowl game will be Hockman’s, too, as (turns out) Leary was never going to come back at any point this season.

Leary is eager to get back on the field, but that’s not going to be before spring ball. (Assuming we can have spring ball in ‘21, of course.)