Tennessee cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally enters the 2024 NFL Draft after playing the best football of his college football career in 2023. Jeudy-Lally totaled 47 tackles and six pass breakups this past season. He had seven pass breakups at BYU in 2022.
Jeudy-Lally recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about his decision to play at three different programs, playing man and zone coverage, which teams have shown interest in his services throughout the process, and more.
JM: It's been a journey to the 2024 NFL Draft for Gabe Jeudy-Lally. Now that you've had time to reflect, how do you look back on the decision to transfer to Tennessee? You previously played at Vanderbilt and BYU.
Gabe Jeudy-Lally: It was probably one of the better decisions I’ve made throughout my football career. Tennessee gave me every resource to be as good of a football player as I chose to be. They gave me another opportunity to compete in the SEC. I wanted to prove that I had become a better football player since my days at Vanderbilt.
Tennessee has an amazing culture. You love to play football regularly, but you love it even more when you’re doing it at a program like Tennessee. They made the process so much more enjoyable.
JM: It shows because you had a good season. You recorded 47 tackles this year. You had six pass breakups and one interception. You had seven pass breakups at BYU in 2022. What is it about your game that allows you to always be around the ball?
Gabe Jeudy-Lally: My length and size helps me make a lot of plays on the ball. I think these last two years of football, you started to see me put the pieces together to be able to make those plays on the ball.
Earlier in my career, I played with more hesitancy. Once the game really slowed down for me and I had a better feel for it, I was in the right spots to make those plays at the end of the day. God gave me great length and ability to showcase my talents on the field.
I studied the game. I have a great football IQ to where I can put myself in the right positions. The coaching staff trusted me to make those plays on the ball regardless of the situation.
JM: Is Gabe Jeudy-Lally a man-cover corner or a zone corner?
Gabe Jeudy-Lally: Jeudy-Lally is whoever the team needs him to be (laughs). A lot of people will see that I attended three different programs. They may wonder why. They may be skeptical.
At the end of the day, I just wanted the best opportunity to play at the next level. I wanted to put myself in the position I’m currently in. I’ve learned a lot of different coverages and defenses along the way.
If the game calls for man coverage, I’ll practice all week for man coverage. If it calls for zone coverage, I’m ready for that as well. I’ll be the best player I can be in that situation. I think I got a lot better in man coverage in 2022 and 2023. We played a lot of man at Tennessee.
I’ve also made a ton of plays on the ball in zone coverage throughout my career. I can also come downhill and make tackles in the run game. I’ve been able to do it all. I can’t put myself in a box. I’m well-rounded enough to play both man and zone coverage.
JM: I love that. Do NFL teams see you playing cornerback or safety at the next level? Are you getting much feedback on that?
Gabe Jeudy-Lally: The majority of teams have just been saying cornerback. If given the opportunity, I can go back there and play safety if need be. I love using my range on the back end. I think that’s super helpful to play that position.
I’ve mostly been hearing cornerback, though.
JM: This is quite possibly the most interesting fact I've come across this draft season. You're fluent in Russian, and your grandfather played professional soccer for the Ukrainian national team.
Gabe Jeudy-Lally: My mom immigrated to the United States from the Ukraine. This was around the time of the USSR. Her dad played on the Ukrainian soccer national team. It was before or after he served in the military.
My mom always wanted me to play soccer growing up. She spoke to me in Russian growing up. It just became my native language until I moved in with my stepdad. That’s when English became the most used language in my household.
To this day, when my mom and I go out, we’ll speak in Russian when she doesn’t know how to say something in English. I’m completely fluent to this very day. I’m very fortunate because it’s allowed me to create different connections. I feel comfortable speaking with people who struggle to communicate in English. It’s really cool.
JM: I love that. That’s awesome. I believe you attended the Tennessee Titans local day. Have you met with any other teams throughout this process?
Gabe Jeudy-Lally: I had a great time at the Tennessee Titans’ local day. It turned into a great day. It felt like an official visit. I met with their head coach, special teams coordinator, and assistant general manager. I also met with the defensive backs coach.
I showcased my ability to field punts. I used to be the backup punt returner at Vanderbilt. I just hadn’t done it in a few years, but it felt good to get back out there. I was a pretty good punt returner in high school.
I stayed for almost two hours after my workout meeting with the Titans. We talked about football, favorite coverages and whatnot.
I’ve spoken with the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive backs coach as well. I’ve spoken with the Philadelphia Eagles quite a bit as well. It’s been a fun process. Those three teams have probably shown the most interest, but you never know what’s going to happen on draft day.
JM: That’s the honest truth. There’s a lot of interest in you and it’s easy to see why. We've appreciated your time today. What kind of impact is Gabe Jeudy-Lally going to make at the next level?
Gabe Jeudy-Lally: I’m going to make an impact on every phase. Whatever team I go to, the goal is to help them win games. I’m going to continue developing as a football player. They’re going to be very happy that they took a chance on me.
I’m going to compete. I also can’t wait to become a fixture in the community. I want to give back and help the city out. I want to help people in the way I wish I would have been helped when I was younger. That’s what it’s all about.
I’m going to be an outstanding teammate as well. I played at three different programs. I understand the different dynamics of a locker room. I’m not a big rah-rah guy, but I’m a dependable teammate.
I’m always there to help my teammates. I can’t wait to learn from the veterans. That’s what you’re going to get out of me. You’re gonna have a hard time getting rid of me. I’m going to do things the right way.
