CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL: OLE MISS VS PENN STATE

December 27, 2023

Caedan Wallace

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Penn State Nittany Lions

Quick Quotes

Q. You're finishing up your college career. Can you kind of talk back about your early football days here in the Atlanta area and maybe seeing your older brothers compete in this area too.

CAEDAN WALLACE: I grew up maybe three minutes away from here. My first memories are watching my brother play, my oldest brother play in Butler Park. That's not far from here.

Then we moved out to the suburbs and started playing at Earl O'Neal Park out in Rockdale County. I really started my career there, fell in love with the game out there.

Played at my middle school as well, Conyers Middle School, until I moved.

So being out here is awesome. Being able to start my career and then be able to finish my collegiate career here is really cool, especially in Mercedes Benz Stadium.

Q. What are your brothers' names?

CAEDAN WALLACE: My oldest brother is Charles, and my middle brother is Carson.

Q. When did you move to New Jersey?

CAEDAN WALLACE: I moved to New Jersey, I want to say August of 2012. So I was 12 years old.

Q. This is the first football action you've participated in the state of Georgia, I would imagine, since then?

CAEDAN WALLACE: Now that I think about it, yeah.

Q. So your decision is out there now. What was kind of those few weeks like for you, and when did you ultimately make that decision?

CAEDAN WALLACE: It was definitely something I've been weighing all season, and I feel like with good training and having a good mindset, I feel like I've made it to the point where I can make a decision like that. So I feel like this is my year to do it.

Q. Why do you think -- you've said this. Why do you think you've had a really good season this year?

CAEDAN WALLACE: I guess it's sticking to the process, figuring things out, maturing. Like learning new traits about myself, like different things have really been helping me out -- time management, discipline, focus, all these things, they help me get better.

Q. How big of a step do you think you've taken in the last year?

CAEDAN WALLACE: A huge one, but like I think the biggest part of me taking this step is knowing that I have a lot more steps to go, like I'm not anywhere near being done. I'm just now starting. I'm just learning how to function and work at the level I want to.

Q. It's funny you say that because you're like a four-year starter and you feel that way?

CAEDAN WALLACE: Yeah. It's definitely a maturing process that goes into it, like not being complacent and continuing to work hard. Like just different things I have to pick up over the years.

Q. If you could sit down with 2021 Caedan Wallace and say here's a path to get you where you want to be, what would you lay out for that Caedan?

CAEDAN WALLACE: I would have to start with the basics, like Coach Franklin and Coach Trautwein drilling in me consistency, like getting started on focusing on consistency and just general discipline. That's where I'd have to start.

Q. How does your body feel after this many years of just pumping guys in the face repeatedly?

CAEDAN WALLACE: Surprisingly, I feel good. I've taken a big step up on like focusing on my recovery, and I've kind of worked out some nagging -- I don't want to say injuries, but nagging things I've had throughout the years. This year I've worked them out. So I'm feeling really, really good right now.

But it does get rough, like week 10 of the season, kind of feels like you've been in a car accident.