SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: ALABAMA VS GEORGIA

November 27, 2023

Sedrick Van Pran

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Georgia Bulldogs

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Sedrick, please take a moment to give us your general thoughts on the upcoming SEC Championship game.

SEDRICK VAN PRAN: I think that this game will be a great opportunity for us. I think it's an amazing opportunity and a great honor to be able to say that you can represent the SEC. The conference in general is a winner, so hopefully we can be awarded that great honor, something that we take very seriously.

Q. Kirby was speaking a little while ago speaking about the difference of the two teams compared to when y'all last played. He even said that anybody that played for us was probably in a minor role. But you actually started all three years. How blessed do you feel to be a part of this entire streak and the success that Georgia has been able to go on?

SEDRICK VAN PRAN: It's an amazing, amazing blessing. It's something that I could have never in my life imagined, something that God has allowed me to be a part of, and I'm so, so grateful for it.

I think ultimately I played a very minute role, though, in the success that Georgia has had because I think there's 22 guys that the world sees on TV, but then there's another 100 guys, more than that when you count all of the years that I've just played a role and come to the success that God has allowed us to see. I think I've played a very small role, but I'm very blessed that I was able to be a part of it.

Q. You're at 29 and counting right now; you were there for one, two, three, all the way up. How do you handle or has there been added pressure for you personally, and how have you handled that the bigger the streak has gotten?

SEDRICK VAN PRAN: I think we try not to think about the streak that I know everyone talks about. We try our hardest to just focus on the next game because at the end of the day none of those previous games can help you win the next one. We surely can't bring any victories we've had this season with us this Saturday, understanding that each team has a very, very unique challenge that they pose to us.

Taking it serious and making sure that we prepare the right way throughout the week.

Q. Sedrick, what's unique about playing against an Alabama defensive line and some of the stunts and schemes that they run each week?

SEDRICK VAN PRAN: I think what's unique about them is that although they may run stunts and schemes and different things like that, they're very physical. I think up front they control the line of scrimmage well. On the defensive side of the ball, when it comes down to stopping the run, I think they're really, really good for it. They play physical, so on top of having to think about how they move and what indicators tell those things, you have to think about them just striking up front, and that makes things a little bit more difficult.

Q. You talked about the streak earlier, but you were obviously on the Georgia team that lost to them two years ago, the last time you guys lost. What do you recall about that game?

SEDRICK VAN PRAN: That's a great question. I can recall just some of the pain that were in the seniors' eyes after that game and just how bad they wanted that. I think it's definitely something that I still hold dear in my heart, not being able to get those guys an SEC Championship their senior year. It's just a memory that I have from that game for sure.

Q. I know you've been asked several times about the streak and what you guys have done the last three years. It's easy to say "stay in the moment." How do you do that, though? You've got to be feeling this pride and kind of know that you're getting into some rarefied territory with how many wins in a row you guys have had. There's only been a handful of programs that have ever done what you've done so far and where you may be headed.

SEDRICK VAN PRAN: I think that the biggest thing that keeps us humble is when you watch the film there's so many things that could have went the wrong way or you may have messed up or a guy may not have executed this play, and it leaves room for improvement. I think that's the biggest thing is that although we want to win, although we want to continue to bring wins to the University of Georgia, our biggest thing is that we're trying to create the best version of ourselves, the best version of ourselves as a team, but also the best version of ourselves as individuals so we can be able to help the team, and I think that's where just the drive to want to get better comes from is that when you turn on the film, there's always something that you can get better.

Q. Sedrick, I want to follow up on Milroe, and you were willing to comment on the Alabama quarterback, and then Coach Smart later said he was a bigger, more physical version of Lamar Jackson. Is Milroe a guy that other college players like yourself don't have to watch on film but find yourselves watching? Is he that sort of dynamic talent? I wonder if that's the kind of guy that makes other elite athletes stop and pause and watch.

SEDRICK VAN PRAN: Yeah, I think definitely for sure. I think ultimately we're all deep down just fans of the game. We try to watch as much football as possible. We try and enjoy competitive games. He's definitely a guy that I think in my opinion a lot of athletes have a lot of respect for. He brings a very unique sense to the game. He can extend plays with his legs. He can throw the ball downfield. He's really, really tough. He's also smart. He doesn't try to take a lot of hits. I think he's a really, really good player, and I think ultimately because we're all fans of the game we appreciate what he can do and respect what he can do on the field.

I think ultimately you're right in the sense that as students and fans of the game, we definitely respect and try and watch quality football for sure.

Q. Following up on that, the last time you played an elite Alabama quarterback it was Bryce, and I think Jordan Davis said they called him the Gingerbread Man. Is there any name for Jalen Milroe yet that you've heard bandied about?

SEDRICK VAN PRAN: To my knowledge, no, I don't think we've given him a nickname. I'm not sure about the nickname with Bryce, either. I don't remember that. But who am I to say that it didn't happen. That might have been a defensive thing, I don't know. To my knowledge I don't think we've given Jalen Milroe a nickname. I think there's a lot of respect for what he can do on the field and definitely a very quality opponent for sure.