Vanderbilt grad switch Gabe Jeudy-Lally, proper, disrupts a play throughout fall practices in Provo. Massive issues are anticipated of him within the BYU secondary this fall. Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photograph
Vanderbilt cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally appears on throughout recreation in opposition to Florida, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. The BYU grad switch performed three years for the Commodores, however for quite a lot of causes nonetheless has three years of eligibility remaining. Phelan M. Ebenhack, Related Press
BYU cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford’s eyes lit up when he was requested concerning the latest addition to his place group on the Cougars’ soccer media day final June.
“We’re getting a sensible, skilled, savvy soccer participant,” Gilford mentioned.
That participant is Gabe Jeudy-Lally, who spent the final three seasons taking part in for Vanderbilt of the Southeastern Convention, and was so sensible that he earned a university diploma, majoring in human and organizational growth and minoring in enterprise at one of many prime tutorial faculties within the nation.
“I need to come to a spot the place you're going to get handled like household and win soccer video games. I believe that is the spot to be at.” — new BYU defensive again Gabe Jeudy-Lally
Jeudy-Lally (pronounced: Judy Lolly) is now pursuing his MBA at BYU’s Marriott Faculty of Enterprise, however technically he nonetheless has three years of eligibility remaining as a result of he solely performed in 4 video games as a freshman at Vanderbilt in 2019 and may depend that as his redshirt 12 months. And the seven video games he performed as a sophomore in 2020 counts as a free 12 months attributable to COVID-19.
All instructed, the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder who lists Austin, Texas, as his hometown appeared in 23 video games for the Commodores and had 63 tackles, 4 cross breakups and two interceptions in Nashville.
What does he carry to BYU?
“I really feel like I carry that have, on the sphere and off the sphere,” he mentioned Monday after the Cougars’ fourth follow of preseason coaching camp. “I've been by way of plenty of conditions at Vanderbilt with COVID and all that, which made me stronger as a participant.”
As his first group interview in Provo was winding down, Jeudy-Lally was requested why he has a hyphenated final title.
“My freshman 12 months I got here in and simply had Jeudy on my (jersey) again,” he mentioned. “That’s my organic father’s title. We've got a fantastic relationship. However my stepdad (Thomas Lally) taught me find out how to play soccer. He introduced me into the fold, and I simply felt like out of respect for him, at all times being there in my life, I felt that I ought to have the ability to honor each names and be my very own individual and never simply Lally and never simply Jeudy however a fruits of all people in my life.”
The defensive again mentioned Thomas Lally entered his life when he was 5 years previous. His mom’s title is Alla Lally, and he has three sisters (Amanda, DeDe and Elina) and one brother (Gianny).
Jeudy-Lally entered the switch portal final December after Vanderbilt went 0-8 within the SEC, 2-10 general. He had affords from Purdue, Colorado, Iowa State and Illinois, amongst others, however finally selected BYU after making an official campus go to in March.
Vanderbilt cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally appears on throughout recreation in opposition to Florida, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. The BYU grad switch performed three years for the Commodores, however for quite a lot of causes nonetheless has three years of eligibility remaining.
Phelan M. Ebenhack, Related Press
“Gabe has plenty of expertise after taking part in within the SEC for the previous couple of years,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake mentioned when he signed with the Cougars in late March. “He's a really sensible participant and a extremely robust pupil. He's going to be a fantastic slot in our secondary and with our program.”
Final 12 months, Jeudy-Lally began 10 video games at cornerback for Vandy, however that doesn’t essentially imply he'll play that place at BYU. Gilford mentioned he may very well be used as a nickel again or perhaps a security, if mandatory. He will even be a valued mentor to youthful gamers.
“We've got plenty of younger guys in our room, so having the ability to give them little nuggets of knowledge right here and there, having the ability to get them proper, has been good,” Jeudy-Lally mentioned.
TODAY'S INTERVIEWS ...
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) August 8, 2022
🔊 @GabeJeudypic.twitter.com/KRjXWPMtkd
Jeudy-Lally mentioned his first couple of days in Provo have been “positively completely different” and required an perspective adjustment. However he bonded with new roommate Kaleb Hayes, a fellow cornerback, and his mother got here to city to “present me the ropes.”
He additionally talked to former BYU and NFL star Derwin “Dewey” Grey, now the lead pastor of the Transformation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and acquired extra recommendation and encouragement.
“Everyone out right here treats me actually properly. It appears like household right here,” Jeudy-Lally mentioned. “Dewey was like, ‘You get out of it what you place in,’ so I got here right here and embraced it. … After I requested for assist, all people gave it to me, and made the transition actually easy. I'm joyful. In order that’s good.”
Jeudy-Lally mentioned nothing concerning the distinctive tradition of Provo and BYU have triggered him to take a step again in shock. However the vibe at follow is kind of completely different than it was at Vanderbilt, he mentioned.
“Actually, simply actually, how a lot all people cares about one another (is shocking),” he mentioned. “Like, there may be not a lot chippiness at follow. There's not a lot name-calling or the rest. Everyone is like, ‘We would like you to get higher,’” he mentioned. “I believe it's simply (cool) how a lot all people embraces eager to win on each side of the ball, and particular groups.
“That's simply one thing that has been actually completely different, as a result of at completely different applications, all people (says) they embrace that,” he continued. “However right here, you see it in motion. You see it within the video games. It's a fruits of the whole lot we now have labored for within the offseason to get these wins in video games.”
Jeudy-Lally was requested how the expertise stage he has discovered at BYU compares to what he’s confronted within the SEC.
“Actually, I'd say they match up fairly properly. Solely distinction, I'd say, is throughout the nation, whenever you play within the SEC, the massive guys, they're simply sooner,” he mentioned. “I'm not saying that the ability positions are something completely different, as a result of you bought to throw the ball, you gotta catch it. It doesn’t matter who's throwing it and catching it, you gotta have your method and do issues the proper manner.”
That mentioned, Jeudy-Lally mentioned BYU’s linemen are greater than Vanderbilt’s.
“Actually, the expertise stage could be very comparable and I'm simply excited to be taking part in with these guys arising this season,” he mentioned, after describing how way more relaxed and cheerful fall camp is at BYU in comparison with his earlier cease.
“I need to come to a spot the place you're going to get handled like household and win soccer video games,” he mentioned. “I believe that is the spot to be at.”
Warfare Prepared #Year4#BYUpic.twitter.com/gzpq43ZRnf
— Gabe Jeudy (@GabeJeudy) July 22, 2022