Trajan Stephens-McQueen / Linebacker / Georgia State
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: I am 6’0, weighing 230 pounds and the last time I ran a 4.7.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: All-EN Sports Academy in Houston, Texas.
Alex Khvatov: Tell us about your training routine right now.
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: It is a lot of one on one work. I am working on my body. I am doing different drills and training for the Pro Day. I working on my movement. One of the trainers from the facility is from Charlotte, North Carolina which is my hometown. He had a connection with my dad. They are friends and used to work together.
Alex Khvatov: How is Texas treating you?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: Houston is a nice place. Everything is large around here. We have been dealing with a crazy snowstorm here. It is a nice environment. I can see myself living here. It is a nice place to start a family.
Alex Khvatov: When is your Pro Day?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: On March 16th at 7:30am. I will be competing at Georgia Tech’s Pro Day. I am the only one that declared from Georgia State this year.
Alex Khvatov: You had one extra year of eligibility due to Covid, why did you declare for the NFL Draft?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: I was ready to move on to a higher level of competition. I didn’t redshirt in college. I had numerous amounts of accolades. Agents reached out to me. With a good pro day, I can solidify my spot and make it to the league. I had conversations with my coaches and family. I weighed the pros and cons of coming back. I felt like it was the best move for me.
Alex Khvatov: Did you play in any all-star games?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: I went to CGS in Texas. There was supposed to be a game, but it was more of a combine sort of thing. I met with teams, and we had seminars. We did the drills and bag work.
Alex Khvatov: Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: I was heavy into baseball. It was my first love growing up. I was a left handed pitcher and played the outfield in baseball. I made my money on the mound. I had a lot of movement on my pitches as a left-hander. I really enjoyed hitting balls. I played baseball all four years. I also played basketball my senior year.
Alex Khvatov: What positions did you play in high school?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: I played ILB, OLB, and safety.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: Georgia State offered me my junior year. I started all four years at varsity. At my first high school my freshman and sophomore year, I didn’t get any looks. I transferred to another high school my junior year and got offers right away from Miami (Ohio) and UNC Charlotte. Then Western Carolina, Georgia State, Louisville, and Missouri.
Alex Khvatov: How did you wind up at Georgia State?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: I had a few high school teammates that went to Georgia State. I took an official visit. I am from Charlotte, North Carolina, and it was the best move for me to go to Georgia. The school is located in downtown Atlanta. It was an opportunity. I took a trip, loved the city, and learned about the campus. That was the end of it.
Alex Khvatov: How would you describe your overall career?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: It was a nice experience. Gaining the trust of my teammates and coaches. I was able to record 110 tackles my junior year. I broke the school record for tackles in a game. I had 20 tackles against Army. My INT sealed the game against Tennessee during my junior year. I was voted team captain my senior year. I took that honor to heart, and my teammates followed me. Team wise, it was a different story each year. I had three different LB coaches in four years. We had a couple of seven-win seasons and went to three bowl games. We had lots of close losses. I made the right choice out of high school by coming here.
Alex Khvatov: How different was the 2020 season?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: It was an experience. It was not the way you want your senior year to end. We had to work out in smaller groups in the offseason, which messed up team chemistry. Not knowing if you will play or not this week. You can prepare all week and not play. We practiced all week for the Charlotte game, and then found out on Friday that we had three people who tested positive. We had to cancel the game against Charlotte. It is a year that I will never forget.
Alex Khvatov: How honored were you to be named team captain your senior year?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: Honestly, it motivated me to go hard every day. Guys on the team look at you. You have to provide the energy and be a good team player. It pushed me to be there in every aspect whether it is football or in the classroom. I accepted that role and made no excuses. A leader has to carry himself with a lot of integrity. I was up to the task because I watched our previous captains. I always did the job. It is my biggest accomplishment so far. You get talked about in a different way when you are voted captain. People and teammates trust you. Younger guys look up to you.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: My high IQ and knowledge for the game. Knowing my position and the scheme we are running. I am very competitive. I want to win. I will do anything that it takes to win, and do my job. I want to help others.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: Speed. I have been working on it. The game gets faster in the NFL.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: The Tennessee game. There was lots of back and forth. We dealt with adversity and kept playing. The defense kept coming. It was a gritty game. We were the only ones who knew that we can win that game because of our preparation. We were ready and we were the better team that day.
Alex Khvatov: Where did you get the name Trajan?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: I got the name from a college basketball player at Duke University. His name was Trajan Langdon. He was a good player. My dad was a big basketball fan and he liked the name. He roots for UNC.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: The biggest lesson is the attitude that you bring to life. Your attitude has to be locked in. You have to buy in and be dedicated to your craft.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: I am a fan of all great defenses in this league, but I do not have a specific team. I love the Steelers defense and the 49ers defense.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: Bobby Wagner, Eric Kendricks and Fred Warner.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye out for next season?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: On the offensive side, Sam Pinckney is a big name receiver. He will get drafted next year. He will make a lot of plays next season. Cornelius McCoy is another big time receiver. Roger Carter is the top TE in the Sun Belt. He has the best hands that I have ever seen. On the defense, NT Dontae Wilson got hurt last season, but he decided to come back. He has a chip on his shoulder, and he will help the defense. DE Hardrick Willis is a sack record holder at Georgia State. He gets after the passer and has a good motor. Antavious Lane is a starting safety and LB Blake Carroll played beside me. He should have a breakout season. All of these guys are possible captains.
Alex Khvatov: What are the expectations for the team next year?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: The offense will click more. We had a QB who was a first year starter. His decision making will get better. All of his weapons are coming back. It should be a great year for the offense. The defense returns 9 of 11 starters. They should swarm to the ball. I am hoping to see a potential Sun Belt championship. Seven or eight wins is a very realistic goal.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: Omar Bayless. He was a WR at Arkansas State. He currently plays for the Panthers. He was the Sun Belt Player of the Year. He was different. He was a playmaker every year. We game planned for him, and he still made catches. He made one-handed catches. Also RB Trey Ragas from Louisiana. We met a few times throughout the course of the game. He is not a small guy. We went back and forth. His teammate RB Elijah Mitchell was similar.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a LB?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: You got to know the scheme and communicate with your teammates. The biggest thing is preaching communication. I am always talking to the D-line, the other LB’s and the secondary. We want to make sure that everyone knows what play we are running. Being able to see the tendencies from the offense when you watch film. You also have to move side to side well and use your hands.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: I like the physical nature of the game. They protect the offensive player at any cause in today’s game.
Alex Khvatov: Who was the best teammate you played with?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: WR Penny Hart. He graduated my junior year. He was the best teammate. His work ethic was second to none. He was not the biggest or the fastest, but he would outwork you. He always had a positive attitude. He plays on special teams for the Seahawks and had eight catches last year.
Alex Khvatov: How important is education to you?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: It is important to me. I was taught that you should handle your business in the classroom first even throughout high school. Maintain a good GPA. Colleges always wanted to know if you did your work in the classroom.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: I love nature. I like to take walks. I go out to different ponds and fish. I also play video games as well.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: I majored in interdisciplinary studies, learning about technology. I want to do game design. I want to create virtual reality video games.
Alex Khvatov: What makes you unique?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: I get along with anyone. I have never had a problem with anyone. I am a team-oriented person. I am not a selfish person. I carry myself with confidence.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Trajan Stephens-McQueen: Hard-working, goal-oriented, intelligent, reliable, and trustworthy.
