With his final season at Auburn now on the horizon, senior defensive lineman Tyrone Truesdell doesn't hold back his feelings.
"Just knowing it's your last time being able to play at Auburn -- with my teammates, my brothers, my friends -- it's really something I'll want to remember," Truesdell said. "The past three years were a life-changing experience for me, but I always knew it eventually would have to come to an end. I'm ready to embrace every moment of it."
The defensive tackle, who made 10 starts last season, recorded 31 tackles and 5.0 tackles for loss as a junior. In the season opener against No. 11 Oregon in Texas, Truesdell came through with six tackles, a TFL and a half-sack, including a fourth-quarter tackle on fourth-and-1. His career numbers show 45 tackles, multiple sacks and TFL, along with two fumble returns. Although when Truesdell arrived as a raw rookie out of Lucy Laney High in Augusta, Georgia, just getting on the field was his goal.
"When I first got here, success was getting on the field," he recalled. "My whole thing was I've got to play, I've got to make an impact now as a freshman, to prove to everyone that I can play at the next level. That's what I kept saying in my head – I've got to do something to help the team out."
Truesdell played in nine games as a true freshman, recording five tackles, with a TFL and a fumble recovery in a win at Missouri. But the year did not come without its challenges.
"My freshman year, the challenges were dealing with the structure and schedule, dealing with the pace of things, academics, going to class for a whole school year and not having the summer off, constantly dealing with the workout program and losing weight while putting on muscle," he remembers.
"Going into my sophomore year, the challenges were learning more fundamental stuff, making sure I knew the plays and understanding how the plays were set up.
"Last year, my challenges were being able to handle academics with football and also getting ready for my child to arrive (daughter Alauyn was born earlier this summer). And then of course, now it's the pandemic and trying to figure out how I can help lead my team."
Truesdell has learned how to weather the ups and downs through the guidance provided by his defensive line coach Rodney Garner, even when that came in the form of tough love.
"I've learned a lot from Coach G and it's not just football," Truesdell explained. "I've learned how not to give up, how to strain and how to fight through adversity. He really helped me grow into the man I am now – a lot of people helped, but what Coach G did was to force me to get out of my comfort zone.
"He didn't just tell me – he forced me – because everything won't be sweet in life. In my eyes, Coach G showed me that if you want a better life for yourself, this is what you're going to have to do and there are no shortcuts. I will always love him and respect him for that."
Truesdell's respect extends to the game that has shaped his future. "Football is more than just a game. It builds character," he said. "It shows you a whole different look on life. I've met so many people through football – just the bonds you make – because eventually football is going to come to an end, but you still have your bonds, your memories.
"I just love it. I love the strain – being out there struggling and knowing that the person next to you is going through the same thing, but you've got to find a way to persevere. I always looked at football as something that can change your life. I grew up loving it because my father loved the game, which made me love it, but it wasn't until I actually played the game that I learned why he loved it so much."
The senior wants to share that love with the younger players on the defensive line.
"What would success look like to me this season? Now, it's more being a leader for my team and showing the young guys the way. If I can get them to pick up and they get to play early, to me that's success. That means I did my job.
"I probably had it the hardest as a freshman with Coach Garner since I've been here – what they call the learning curve -- so I just try to keep the young guys' spirits up. I say trust me, I went through this, and if I got through it, you can get through it, because Coach G doesn't recruit people who can't fight through adversity.
"He told me on day one when I got here that I was going to have to work hard, and he kept that promise – and it has been life-changing. So as long as I can keep these young guys motivated and keep them from giving up on themselves, then I feel like I've done some good."
The interdisciplinary studies major, who is on track to graduate next spring, has dreams of playing in the NFL, but wherever football and life beyond lead him, Truesdell knows where his family lives. "Auburn is family – all about family. No matter where you go, here it's just different. I know you've heard that time and time again, but it IS different here.
"You can come on campus and talk to anybody. There's nobody on this team that I can't talk to. I'm very introverted – it takes time for me to know people – but I feel like I've known the people on this team my whole life. I meet their families and find out their backgrounds, and then our coaches have no problem talking to you and knowing you – it's just amazing.
"Even the fans you meet – true Auburn fans – they will gladly have a conversation with you so friendly and polite. The atmosphere here is special – the only way you would understand it is you would have to be here."
With his senior season straight ahead, Truesdell has already considered what he wants his legacy to be.
"I want them to say he was definitely an Auburn man and he lived by the creed. He always worked hard, he never took any handouts and no matter what adversity he went through, he pushed through it. He never stopped."
And he has one last message for his family members.
"Thank you for even giving me a chance to be part of this family, and also don't ever change up – keep everything the way it is, because that's what makes Auburn Auburn."