East Michigan News

JT Killen's football journey has taken him from the beaches and lakes of his southern roots to the cooler, gritty confines of Eastern Michigan University. As a senior linebacker, his first season in Ypsilanti marks a significant chapter in his career—a chapter defined by adaptation, leadership, and the pursuit of greatness on a new stage.

For Killen, the transition from playing in the Sun Belt Conference to the Mid-American Conference has been both a challenge and an opportunity. "It's been good," he reflects on his time in Michigan so far. "I've been through a couple of camps now, and you know, it kind of becomes familiar—you know what to expect. But it's obviously different everywhere. It's been good, a little cooler, which is nice."

Moving from Coastal Carolina to Eastern Michigan is no small adjustment. "You go from the Coastal to Eastern—what's the adjustment been like for you?" Killen ponders. "I mean, after doing certain things one way, Eastern has been different but in a good way. There's good stuff at all programs, and you just take in the good, enjoy it, and learn from that."

One unique aspect of the MAC is its midweek games, often played in cold weather during late fall. Killen is no stranger to these conditions. "I've played a lot of MAC schools when I was at Coastal, and the only MAC school we lost to was Eastern Michigan—my first game actually. But yeah, in November we would play on Wednesdays too, so I kind of know what that's like. It's fun; different; you get on TV; so that's exciting. I'm looking forward to being a part of that."

Killen's reputation precedes him. Having been a preseason All-Sun Belt selection, he now finds himself on similar watchlists in the MAC. The two conferences share a reputation for tough football—a style that resonates with Killen. "It's just gritty football," he notes. "We're a bunch of guys that maybe didn't get to go to the highest level but it's still good football."

Stepping into a linebacker room where most previous starters graduated, Killen had to find his place quickly. "When I came in I just kind of learned from everyone—how they were and what the standards were around here," he says.

For those who haven't seen him play, Killen describes his style as intelligent, versatile, and relentless: "I'm always around the football—big on effort; always running to the ball." Part of Killen's responsibility this season involves possibly wearing the "green dot," indicating coach-to-player communications through his helmet.

"I've practiced with the green dot on," says Killen about getting used to this role.

Off the field, Killen enjoys activities reminiscent of home life near water: fishing, surfing, wakeboarding among others.

This season Eastern Michigan has embraced the theme "BET." For Killen: "To me BET means winning... focusing on little things that add up as wins."

As JT Killen gears up for his final collegiate season with purpose and appreciation for his journey ahead.