JACKSONVILLE – Jaguars rookie De'Antre Prince wasn't thrilled to be the Jaguars' fifth-round draft choice last April. The former Ole Miss corner wasn't unhappy about Jacksonville - he's genuinely happy to compete for a shot to be the NFL cornerback he knows he can be. But he wasn't good with lasting until Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he carries that chip daily onto the practice field at the Miller Electric Center. To listen to Prince is to understand that he always has felt the need to play with an edge. Growing up in tiny Charleston, Miss., he wasn't on anyone's map. That fits because you really must look for the town of fewer than 1,900 residents nowhere near anywhere you've heard of.
I asked him about that chip on his shoulder. He wasn't surprised it was my first question. He was ready for it.
Answer: I live my life with a chip because there are fewer opportunities in the community I'm from, especially in Mississippi. Charleston is very, very small, so I'm kind of the first from there to make it to play college football and now to get the chance to play at this level. Getting drafted didn't work out how I wanted to. I believe in who I am and the player I am so that really is another chip and I'm good to live with both. I think it's important not to forget the people that came before me and helped me get to Ole Miss and play well enough to get to the NFL. That chip is now just an important part of who I am and how I play the game.
Q: I heard you called NFL cornerback Josh Norman, who had a great career and was a fifth-round pick as well. Norman didn't let it stop him. He was both a Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro selection. What did he tell you?
A: I always loved Josh Norman. He was my favorite corner when I was young. So, I just wanted to hear from him, learn from the things that he was going to tell me, be able to use the advice he was going to give me. It's a blessing to be drafted in the fifth round with him just because I need to prove the same way he proved it in this league, and I get to do the same thing he did. I asked him how he was feeling when he came into his rookie year, and how he brought a certain attitude, and I asked him what attitude helped him to get to where he got to. He was mainly talking about him and talking about the guy that he locked up and picked off and what his attitudes were going into practice and who he wanted. He wanted the best of the best, so that's why became the best of the best.
Q: How has training camp been for you so far? How did playing at Ole Miss in the SEC prepare you for the National Football League?
A: t's different for sure. The game is definitely faster in the NFL. You have to think a lot faster also. My last year at Ole Miss with coach Al Golden as my defensive coordinator prepared me for this. He put me in a great position to play my best and prepared me for a number of different type defenses that I might be drafted to play. I'm grateful for the chance to play and learn from him and we still talk, and he encourages me to get in early, work hard and watch the film.
Q: Who have you learned from out here? Is there a veteran player who has stood out to you and helped you through the first few days of training camp?
A: I am the type of person who is always learning and who is willing to learn from anyone who is willing to share with me. I'm a very confident player but I know that all the veterans have knowledge and experience that I don't have and won't have until we start playing. I watch everybody, watch all the defensive backs, including the safeties, because even though we don't play the same spot there are techniques and footwork that I can take something that will help my game. I don't waste every chance I can find to learn and get better.
Q: So how would you describe yourself? What kind of game does Tre Prince bring to the Jaguars and the new defensive scheme?
A: I'm very confident, I'm very intense. I'm always ready to play, ready to lock up whoever I have to lock up and do whatever I have to do to help us win. I'm a very family-oriented type of person so I always have my family and the chance to take care of business for them on my mind. I don't really talk much. I'm quiet, but when I'm in between those white lines, I'm the loudest person.
Q: Let's go back to family here real quick. Are they getting to enjoy this with you? How are you sharing your experience in professional football with the family back in Mississippi?
A: I'm super focused on where I am and what I'm doing. I love my mom and communicate with my daughter every day but right now, in training camp, I'm in Florida and they're in Mississippi. I've got a job to do, and they can appreciate how I've matured and am dialed in on this. My mom knows I can't talk every day and she's good with that. This job requires a level of focus that isn't easy and they're letting me do what I need to do.
Q: They have to be very proud of you.
A: Absolutely. And that fuels my pride in them and doing whatever it takes to help my family. I'm very determined, very driven to reach my goals and everyone at home in Charleston knows that I won't let anyone get in the way of that. I take a lot of pride in my family and where I am from and that I've overcome a lot of obstacles and adversity to get where I am. I won't let them down and I won't let myself down.
Q: How much time do you spend getting your body ready after practice for the next day? I mean, that has to be a big part of being a professional is dealing with this heat and humidity and making sure you're ready to go.
A: I spend a lot of time, as much time as I can, probably three hours before we even supposed to be here. I get in here, climb into the cold tub and use every tool they have to be ready to be my best. After practice, it's kind of the same thing. Whether that's hot or cold or red-light or sleep or hydration – I do it all because it's all there to help me.
Q: How different is it being a professional football player than a college student athlete?
A: It's a lot different, it's a business and this is my job. I've already learned how to approach a long day on the practice field and soon I'll learn how to approach a game. I'm developing a good routine that has me on the field, in the recovery room and meeting room and in the playbook whenever I have a chance. This is my chance to prove myself and I don't have to worry about anything but football, that's a lot different than in college.
