WATCH: Tight end Seydou Traore holds high expectations for Mississippi State offense
It’s been a long wait for Mississippi State tight end Seydou Traore and that wait officially ends on Saturday at 5 p.m. The Bulldog junior had to sit out last season after transferring from Colorado but is good to go this season and is eager to get in his first Bulldog snaps.
Traore has been talked about often for his play this past spring and that trend continued in training camp. Following Tuesday’s practice, Traore met with the media to discuss his Bulldog debut among other topics:
Q: How do you feel about the tight ends group?
Traore: I feel confident. I feel confident in the team and the entire group. As I said before, we’re going to have a lot of fun in this offense. I think everyone is capable of doing different things that we’re going to be a dangerous group.
Q: What’s the position battle looked like in your room?
Traore: It’s great. Competition raises either how well you’re going to play or you’re going to drop down and let somebody take your spot. I’m the type that’s going to compete and so is Justin (Ball). We’re just pushing each other.
Q: After sitting out last season, what’s that moment going to feel like for you on Saturday?
Traore: It’s going to be great. I just can’t wait for it. It’s been awhile and I’m just filled with emotions.
Q: What have you seen from freshman tight end JaCorey Whitted since he arrived in June?
Traore: JaCorey is a younger guy that came in. I think he’s going to pick up a lot of things from us. He’s going to be a good player and he’s got all the attributes. It’s just about growth for him.
Q: What did you learn last year after having to sit out and not being able to participate on game day?
Traore: I really just got to watch the game. When you’re watching the game from the sidelines you get to really break down defenses and you get to analyze the game as a whole. So I really studied the defensive perspective more last year.
Q: How tough was it to just watch last year?
Traore: It was very hard. It’s not easy to go through something where you feel like you’ve done the right things to be in position to play. But at the end of the day, with the downs comes the ups. So the season starts soon and I look forward to it.
Q: What have you told some of your new teammates here about the game day atmosphere at Davis Wade Stadium?
Traore: I got the chance to experience the sidelines last year. Those cowbells are something different. So I told the new guys to get ready and it’s going to be really exciting.
