Georgia Tech freshman cornerback Trae Stevenson Jr. is already making noise, and after his first career interception against Pittsburgh, he’s sounding like a player who understands exactly where he fits in the Yellow Jackets’ future.
Stevenson Jr. spoke with the media on Wednesday and broke down the pick in detail, describing how he stayed locked onto his man before the quarterback tried to fit the ball in.
“I'm covering my man. So, he run across the middle and then like the quarterback rolling out left, we running right and then I see him wind up.
I'm like, "No way he going to throw it. I'm locking him up this bad.
There's no way he going to throw the ball." He threw it, caught it, ran to the sideline, got down, celebrated with teammates,” said Stevenson Jr.
What stands out just as much as the play itself is how Stevenson Jr. talks about his role. Even as a young defender, he’s focused on being a steady voice and keeping his head right when things get messy.
“Uh, I say being able to be a leader early. Uh, I take pride in being a leader even though I'm so young.
My leadership skills, I say my mental capacity because even though when things get hard, things ain't going right, I'm still able to stay level headed and feel me next play, next uh next game, next play mentality every day. Came in with the same mentality, ready to work,” said Stevenson Jr.
That mindset carried into his comments about the team’s response to adversity this season. He made it clear the Yellow Jackets aren’t dwelling on what’s already happened.
“We not really hung in on the losses. … Every day, we just getting back to work.
Next-play mentality, next-game mentality, next-practice mentality. Just got to keep working,” said Stevenson Jr.
Stevenson Jr. has already shown the kind of instincts and skill set that can make him a fixture on Georgia Tech’s defense. He’s learning from veteran players, and his early production has only added to the sense that he could become a major piece for the Yellow Jackets moving forward. For now, the first interception is in the books - and the next test comes against Louisville.
In Other News...
Taje McCoy Is Setting The Tone For Georgia Techs Biggest Test Yet
Taje McCoy has become one of the steadier voices on Georgia Techs defense as the Yellow Jackets head into a bigger test. The edge rusher spoke about his leadership role and the responsibility that comes with helping younger players settle in, including freshman Christian Speakman, while also acknowledging the reality of where the team stands right now.
The challenge ahead is a familiar one for any defense facing a well-schooled offense: stay disciplined, communicate cleanly and avoid giving away easy answers. McCoy said Georgia Tech will need sound execution to keep key offensive players from taking over, and that makes his presence even more important as the Jackets try to tighten things up at the point of attack. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Tech Has A New Problem Up Front Before Louisville
Georgia Techs first injury availability report of the week offered an early look at the kind of front-line issues that can complicate a late-season stretch run. Ahead of the Louisville matchup, the Yellow Jackets listed several players as sidelined, adding another layer of uncertainty to an offensive line that has already had to absorb some hits.
The concern is not just about who is unavailable for this game, but how long the group can keep its shape as the season moves on. Brent Key said the line will have to keep adjusting, with one young blocker now being managed carefully after making his first career start, a reminder that Georgia Techs depth up front is being tested at exactly the wrong time. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Ole Miss Injury Swings Could Reshape A Huge SEC Showdown
Georgia heads into its matchup with Ole Miss in a much better spot on the injury front than it did earlier in the week. The Bulldogs have only linebacker Amaris Williams officially ruled out, while several important names, including running back Chauncey Bowens and wide receiver Isiah Canion, are listed as probable or questionable as kickoff approaches.
Ole Miss, meanwhile, is dealing with a far longer list of absences and will be without nine players for the game. The biggest blow is at running back, where Kewan Lacy is out with a separated shoulder, leaving the Rebels to adjust their plan in a game that already carried plenty of weight in the SEC race. [Read more 🡒]