2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Trase Jeffries, OL, Pittsburg State University

• Name: Trase Jeffries
• Position: OL
• College: Pittsburg State University
• Height: 6’3 3/8”
• Weight: 320 lbs
• Twitter: @trasej125
• Instagram: @trase.jeffries

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

My dad put me in flag football by the time I was 3, from there I created life long bonds and became passionate about the game.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

I’d say my favorite moments were just recently winning the MIAA Conference title going undefeated in the regular season and also learning I made AFCA 1st team All-American.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My older brother Davion, he was a Division 1 college wrestler at the University of Oklahoma. He has always been successful in the sport of wrestling since a young age with many well known accolades. He’s always set the standard for me being an athlete and having that last name Jeffries. He has given me a lot of inspiration and motivation to try to be better than him.

What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?

I’m looking forward to stepping back on the turf with my teammates with a new refreshed mindset to dominate competition. I want to bring that old school 90’s mentality back to Pitt State.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

Tyron Smith, I’ve been a huge Tyron Smith fan for about as long as he’s been in the league. I’m also a big Dallas Cowboys fan and my mom once bought me a Tyron Smith jersey for Christmas. Another reason I’d choose him is to pick his mind about the swiftness of his sets, his famous snatch and trap move he’s successful at, and how he engaged with his hips and under hooks in the run game.

What is the most elite thing you do and why?

If I had to say what I’m most elite at it would come down to physicality or effort. My game is well rounded in every aspect I’m not great at just one thing, but obviously my game needs work still. Being physical and giving effort is apart of my core values that my high school offensive line coach, Rowdy Harper, instilled in me. I make technical mistakes here and there and just giving effort or being physical helps me overcome those technical errors and impose my will against my competition.

What should we know about Trase Jeffries the person?

I’m engaged to the love of my life and we own a little English bulldog. I like to keep it real and be direct with myself and others. I’m a social butterfly that enjoys hanging around his teammates.

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

I’ve played in so many different schemes, but if I had to choose one then I would go with the pro style offense. I like how you can use that pro style to scheme to defenses weaknesses and how you utilize the tight end(s).

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

Just by being in the moment and focusing on the task at hand. By taking a moment and understanding the situation and using critical thinking skills to best determine how to overcome the challenge.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A team would get a player who has some accomplishments but so much more potential in my game. A team would get a smart football player who has played in multiple different schemes and has been apart of the conference academic honor roll twice soon to be three times. They would get somebody with great character off the field that cares about community. A team would get somebody who is determined and hungry to show the professional game of football that D2 football players are capable of playing against bigger competition. A team couldn’t go wrong with giving me a chance, and I believe my film and any coach that has ever coached me in my life would agree with my statements.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

I love the game of football almost more than anything in this world. What I love most about the game of football is opportunities it provides. The game of football provides opportunities for college athletes to earn scholarships to possibly earn degrees, provides you with opportunities in games to go score or make a stop to win you a game or championship, and it can provide you with an opportunity to build long life relationships.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

Cooper Schettler, he’s played and started at RG-C-LG the past three seasons. He has had to battle through significant injuries each of those years and still had success and post season honors. I believe if he can stay healthy his senior year that he’s capable of being an All-American whatever position he starts at.