Chris Toudle's first college football reception made him sick. The NC State TE is ready for more

RALEIGH — When Chris Toudle caught his first career reception during last year's season opener against South Florida, his body found an unusual way to celebrate.

The catch — a tipped pass from quarterback Devin Leary meant for receiver Thayer Thomas — may have only gone 15 yards, but it had been three years in the making for the NC State tight end.

Toudle, entering his fourth season with the Wolfpack, had spent two years riding the bench, buried deep on the wide receiver depth chart with little hope to move into a playmaking role. There was, however, some need at tight end, and after a meeting with coach Dave Doeren in the offseason, Toudle made the only decision he could: devote himself to a new position, change his body and the way he trained, dive deep into a playbook that uses its tight ends in multiple ways.

So, back to this catch.

After hauling in his first reception, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Toudle remained in the game for the entire drive, maintaining his composure until he returned to the sideline. There, the enormity of the moment overtook him. He was in shock. His hands were shaking. Then he felt his stomach rumble.

"Next thing you know, I started puking," Toudle told the USA TODAY Network. "I tried to hide it from my teammates and the fans; it just happened. It was honestly so surreal."

He wasn't embarrassed (well, maybe a little), but more surprised at his bodily reaction. Toudle had caught 53 receptions and 14 touchdowns as a wide receiver at Hoggard High School in Wilmington — he was no stranger to success. But this catch had been 1,095 days in the making, three years of mounting stress about his place on NC State's football team. He had taken a risk and it had paid off.

"I guess I let it all out," he said, laughing. "I think my stomach released all the tension."

That release, mentally and physically, left room for his second catch later in the game — a seven-yard touchdown pass from Leary that resulted in six points and, thankfully, nothing else.

"It only happened once, thank God," Toudle said.

Toudle slowly began to get comfortable with his new position and found himself open at clutch times throughout the 2021 season. He caught an 11-yard pass on 3rd and 6 in the fourth quarter during the 27-21 2OT win over Clemson and gave the Wolfpack an early lead with an athletic six-yard touchdown grab the next week against Louisiana Tech.

All told, Toudle finished the season with 19 catches for 190 yards and four touchdowns. In his final two outings against Florida State and Syracuse — before suffering a torn labrum against the Orange — he combined for eight catches for 77 yards and two scores.

Giving back

The fourth-year sophomore (he redshirted in 2019 and has an extra year of eligibility due to the pandemic season) said he's "100% healthy" heading into the 2022 season despite undergoing surgery to repair his torn labrum that forced him to miss spring practice. But he made good use of that time off the field.

When he wasn't rehabbing or watching game film, the 21-year-old Toudle was volunteering at Partnership Elementary School in Raleigh, mentoring several young students who had shown an early love for the game of football. He also organized the first of what he hopes will be an annual summer football camp in his hometown, an event that raised money for the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.

He has since been named to the 2022 Wuerffell Trophy watch list for his achievement in community service.

His willingness to give back comes from his mother, Cara Koning, who would bring her son to homeless shelters on weekends to volunteer.

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"I learned a lot from that time," Toudle said. "You would see these young kids and families really struggling and it would seem so unfair. No one deserves to live life like that. Even at a young age, it made me want to use my platform to do something positive."

That's something that other Wolfpack players have taken to heart. Before the annual Victory Day at NC State on Aug. 5, long snapper Joe Shimko donated $25,000 to GiGi's Playhouse, which offers educational, therapeutic and career-building programs to individuals with Down syndrome.

Shimko, a New Jersey native, partnered with New Jersey state senator Vin Gopal and Monmouth County (New Jersey) Commissioner Tom Arnone over the summer and raised $150,000 for a local children's foundation. Shimko had asked to use part of those funds to help the Charlotte-based charity.

"I think it says a lot about our football program and what we stand for," Toudle said. "I think having that selfless attitude shows itself on the field. We know we're all brothers out here trying to accomplish a goal, and we know that everyone is looking out for each other, not just themselves. It's why I think this year is going to be really special."

NC State opens the season on Sept. 3 on the road against East Carolina. The Wolfpack was ranked No. 13 in The Associated Press preseason poll and is a favorite to win their first  ACC title since 1979.

"We feel like we're wolves this year," Toudle said. "We're going hunting."

David Thompson is an award-winning reporter for the USA TODAY Network covering NC State and Duke athletics. He can be reached at dthompson1@gannett.com, at 828-231-1747, or on Twitter at @daveth89.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: He puked after his first catch for NC State football. Now, Chris Toudle's ready.