George has chance to go out a winner at home

Southern senior free safety Jarmaul George may not have opportunity to play for a Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship this year, but he does have a chance to go out a winner in front of his hometown crowd in the Bayou Classic.
George, a New Orleans native missed the Bayou Classic his freshman season with a broken leg but returned to play against Grambling for the first time last year finishing with five tackles (two tackles for loss) and applied the big hit on GSU running back Ab Kuuan on a crucial fourth down near the goal line to preserve Southern’s 21-17 win.
“The stop on Ab Kuuan last year to win the game is one of the biggest plays I remember,” George said. “It was my first Bayou Classic action and I wanted to make the most of it. That was a big stop for us.”
George had fun running around and making plays in last years game, but is quite aware of this one being the final time he’ll have the chance suit up for Southern.
“Last year I was out there having fun, just running around making plays,” George said. “I always wanted to play in the Bayou Classic. I got my opportunity to do that last year and made some plays for our team and we came out successful at the end.”
Plus, at 6-1, 190 pounds George has the frame and athletic ability to make it in the NFL if given the chance. As a freshman George was an All-SWAC first-teamer with (50 tackles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries). He was also first-team All-SWAC last season (51 tackles, five interceptions, 10 breakups) in his return even while playing with a shoulder injury that required December surgery.
The SWAC’s preseason defensive player of the year and on the Buck Buchanan Award watch list, George has four interceptions, four pass breakups and 61 tackles this season.
For that NFL scouts around the league have kept watch on him all season.
“It’s going to be pretty big on both sides of my situation with me trying to play on the next level and it actually being my last game here at Southern,” George said. “I’m going to finish it out like it will be the last game of my career and not really think about the next level so I won’t have it on my mind during the game.”
Southern leads the series between the two schools (17-14) which has been an annual event since 1974 when Grambling defeated SU, 21-0 in front of 76,753 fans in Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.
“Defeating Grambling will be a big win for us as well as the fans because everyone looks forward to Southern beating them in the Bayou Classic,” George said. “Knowing the history its been a big game for both teams and universities. Hopefully we come out on top.”
Plus, with the potential of turning pro and the memory of last years game saving play fresh on the brain, George hopes to make another big slash on national television.
“This is a championship game for us,” George said. “It’s one of our most publicized games of the season and it gives everyone a chance to showcase their ability on national television.”
Grambling Background
Grambling’s (8-2, 8-0 SWAC) coming into the Bayou Classic. The Tigers’ only two losses have come to division I schools Pittsburgh, 34-10 and University of Louisiana at Monroe, 28-14.
Southern definitely has its work cut out this year as Grambling has steamrolled every SWAC opponent on its way to an undefeated conference record and a birth in December’s championship game.
“Defensively it won’t take anything major to defeat Grambling,” George said. “We just have to stay consistent and focus. That’s whats hurt us the whole season. You’re going to make mistakes in the game of football but if we make the plays that come our way we’ll be alright.”