Trae Meadows – Cornerback – Western Kentucky
Brendan Bolan: What are your measurements (Height, Weight, 40 time)?
Trae Meadows: 6’1”, 185lbs, and I ran an unofficial 4.48.
Brendan Bolan: How would you say your 2020 season went?
Trae Meadows: Started off a bit slow, with us not being able to have spring ball and starting late in the summer. But as the season started to go on, my game got better. And I was able to attain some accolades at the end of the season.
Brendan Bolan: How do you think transferring to Western Kentucky has benefitted your career?
Trae Meadows: Really well, I was already familiar with the DC (defensive coordinator) at the time coach Clayton White. He’s been recruiting me since high school. That transition to WKU was easy for me because I already had a familiar face. And with coach Helton and the way he runs that program is like a family.
Brendan Bolan: You have made it all the way from JUCO to now finding yourself with a chance to be drafted in the NFL, what does that progress mean to you?
Trae Meadows:It reveals a lot to me as who I am as a person. JUCO is pretty tough, the living arrangements, the food isn’t the best, and the place where the JUCO actually is not an urban area. There are many other players that have come out of JUCO like Aaron Rodgers. He kind of paved the way. JUCO shouldn’t be looked at in a negative light, it’s a second chance.
Brendan Bolan: What was it like playing in the Independence Bowl?
Trae Meadows:It was a dream come true. NC State was my dream school coming out of high school, being from North Carolina and all. Just being able to get my first defensive snaps in a bowl game and on that first snap to be able to get an interception, it was just really big for me.
Brendan Bolan: What is a skill set you possess that you feel is underrated or goes unappreciated by scouts?
Trae Meadows: Most scouts might look over my IQ. They can see me on the field making plays to show my athleticism, but they don’t see me in the film room breaking down formations and breaking down the splits.
Brendan Bolan: Where are you training for the NFL draft?
Trae Meadows: A town 15 minutes outside of Atlanta, Georgia called Marietta. It’s a place called DSA Sports Performance, which stands for dynamic, speed, and agility.
Brendan Bolan: What position/positions did you play in high school?
Trae Meadows: I started at free safety. Then when we got into games against big receivers, I was the number one DB. I also played wide receiver a little bit too.
Brendan Bolan: Did you play any other sports in high school?
Trae Meadows: I ran track, the head coach had all the skill players try out for track.
Brendan Bolan: Coming out of high school, what colleges were interested in you?
Trae Meadows: I had about 10 offers. Appalachian State, UNC Charlotte, James Madison, Navy, Army, and some more D1. Navy was where I first committed.
Brendan Bolan: How would you say your career went as a whole at Western Kentucky?
Trae Meadows: I had a solid career. To play my first snaps at corner at D-1 level, I did pretty well. I made honorable all conference. And my senior year, I had a complete season. I was put on first team at corner by PFF.
Brendan Bolan: What is the most challenging part of being a cornerback?
Trae Meadows: Getting ready for the next play. Most DB’s after giving up a big play have a hard time letting it go. We can still let that last play affect the next play. Staying poised and being able to move on is the hardest thing.
Brendan Bolan: What is the strongest aspect of your game?
Trae Meadows: My IQ. My strongest suit is being able to anticipate what is going to happen, due to me studying film and being in my playbook. I have always been told football is 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical.
Brendan Bolan: What is a part of your game you are working on improving?
Trae Meadows: I have been trying to work on my pad level a lot, and my shoulders. Your shoulders determine a lot like when you have to make brakes. And of course having fluid hips, but the movement is really in your shoulders. Overall just becoming more fluid in my movements.
Brendan Bolan: What was the highlight of your career?
Trae Meadows: Playing UAB in 2020. That was my best game, I had multiple solo tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.
Brendan Bolan: Who is your favorite NFL team of all time? Favorite player?
Trae Meadows: Carolina Panthers. It used to be Cam Newton, but now is CMC (Christian McCaffrey). I used to like Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis a lot too.
Brendan Bolan: Is there an NFL cornerback you try and learn from through film?
Trae Meadows: I watch corners my size. I really like to watch Jalen Ramsay and I used to like to watch Richard Sherman. I also watch Marshawn Lattimore.
Brendan Bolan: Which underclassmen on your team should we should keep an eye out for next year?
Trae Meadows: Look out for Dayton Wade. He’s a very dynamic player, offensively he can make plays. Defensively it would be DeAngelo Malone, I feel like this season he is going to be even better.
Brendan Bolan: Who is the toughest wide receiver you had to play during your college career?
Trae Meadows: Tutu Atwell, he made me play on my toes because of his speed. I wasn’t able to get in a good rhythm with him just because of his speed. He made it hard to get in the flow. Austin Watkins from UAB as well.
Brendan Bolan: What do you think is the most important trait or skill set for a cornerback?
Trae Meadows: Good feet. At corner, you have to be a technician. You can be very athletic and still make plays, but if you can be a great technician, it will make you look like a much better player and athlete. You are just much more fluid in your movements.
Brendan Bolan: What do you love about playing football?
Trae Meadows: What is there not to love! I love the physicality. I love the mental aspect. It’s not checkers, it’s chess. I feel like football is one of the only sports where it is really down to the team. If one person messes up, then the whole thing is ruined. It teaches you to be accountable.
Brendan Bolan: Has there been any obstacles you have had to overcome in your career?
Trae Meadows: Not injury wise, just more so making wrong decisions. I’ve seen great athletes not make it through JUCO just because they weren’t taking it seriously or weren’t strong enough mentally. With the opportunity with JUCO, it was able to give me a fresh start and really humbled me. And now I’m in a place where I am now talking to you, and getting ready for the NFL draft.
Brendan Bolan: What do you love outside of football?
Trae Meadows: I really like to hang out and just chill. I like to listen to music a lot, like all the time. If I was around my family, I would be hanging with them. I go out with friends every once in a while, but other than that I just chill.
Brendan Bolan: What makes a great teammate in your opinion?
Trae Meadows: Someone who is accountable, someone you can trust, and someone who can give it their all no matter what. Someone who has positive energy. Energy is contagious, it spreads just like a virus. Also someone who is going to give you maximum effort.
Brendan Bolan: What makes you unique?
Trae Meadows: My personality and how humble I am. I am in the middle of being an introvert and an extrovert. I am okay with being alone, but I know how to be social as well. I am a humble person and I really just care about people.
Brendan Bolan: Five words to describe you?
Trae Meadows: Honest, determined, focused, humble, and God fearing.
