Eastern Michigan Athletics
JT Killen: From Surf Turf to The Factory – A Senior Season of Transition
8/24/2024 2:00:00 PM | Football
EMU opens the season Saturday, Aug. 31, at UMass
Click Here to Purchase Tickets | Themes for 2024 Home Games | Complete Interview.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – JT Killen's (Lake Wylie, S.C./Charlotte Christian School/Coastal Carolina) 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.
Adapting to The Factory
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 the "surf turf" of Coastal Carolina to the gray of "The Factory" at 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 the cold, unpredictable weather of 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, and you get on TV, so that's exciting. I'm looking forward to being a part of that."
Gritty Football and Leadership
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 of play that resonates with Killen. "It's just gritty football, I would say," 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. You're really playing at the highest level, and there are similarities and differences, but it's great football."
Stepping into a linebacker room where most of the 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. I kept my head down and learned from them. Then I shared what I knew, and it gelled really well. We've got a really good room, and we're all competing and getting ready for the season."
The Mind of a Linebacker
For those who haven't seen him play, Killen describes his style as intelligent, versatile, and relentless. "I'm a guy who knows what's going on," he says. "I do a little bit of everything. I'm always around the football—big on effort, always running to the ball. And I tackle well. Those are definitely my strengths."
Part of Killen's responsibility this season involves possibly wearing the "green dot," the mark of the playcaller who will be wearing coach-to-player communications through the helmet. "I've practiced with the green dot on, just getting used to it. At first, you've got to learn to listen—open up your ears a little bit. It really does help you play faster, and when you play faster, you play better."
While Killen remains unsure if he'll wear the green dot during games, he recognizes its importance. "It helps both in getting the play in faster and in communicating it to the guys. Our defensive coordinator might see something I don't, and he'll say, 'Look for this, look for that.' It works out a good bit of the time. I've still got to get better at thinking, 'Oh, maybe they're not hearing it,' and getting the call in as quickly as possible. It's definitely an adjustment, but we're all excited to use it."
A Life Beyond Football
Off the field, Killen finds solace and joy in activities that remind him of home. Growing up near water, he developed a deep love for water sports—a passion that continues to this day. "I grew up being around the water a lot. Grew up on the lake, grandparents from the beach, spent a lot of time at the beach. Anything water—sports, fishing, surfing, wakeboarding—I love it all."
Even in Michigan, Killen has found ways to connect with his love for the water. "Cole Snyder, actually, he moved to Ford Lake. We'd go up there and hang out a little bit during the summer—kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, fishing. That was fun."
Betting on Success
This season, Eastern Michigan has embraced the theme "BET," which has resonated differently with each player. For Killen, the concept is straightforward: "To me, BET means winning. You bet to win, right? And I feel like everything about BET is all about winning. I'm focusing on the little things that add up as wins. Over time, those wins can create something awesome for you and for the team. It's something that we're all thinking about and focusing on during the season."
As JT Killen gears up for his final collegiate season, he does so with a sense of purpose and a deep appreciation for the journey he's on. Whether he's leading the defense on the field, enjoying the Michigan lakes, or reflecting on what it means to bet on success, Killen is determined to make the most of every moment—proving that no matter where the journey takes you, it's the effort, passion, and grit that define you.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – JT Killen's (Lake Wylie, S.C./Charlotte Christian School/Coastal Carolina) 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.
Adapting to The Factory
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 the "surf turf" of Coastal Carolina to the gray of "The Factory" at 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 the cold, unpredictable weather of 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, and you get on TV, so that's exciting. I'm looking forward to being a part of that."
Gritty Football and Leadership
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 of play that resonates with Killen. "It's just gritty football, I would say," 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. You're really playing at the highest level, and there are similarities and differences, but it's great football."
Stepping into a linebacker room where most of the 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. I kept my head down and learned from them. Then I shared what I knew, and it gelled really well. We've got a really good room, and we're all competing and getting ready for the season."
The Mind of a Linebacker
For those who haven't seen him play, Killen describes his style as intelligent, versatile, and relentless. "I'm a guy who knows what's going on," he says. "I do a little bit of everything. I'm always around the football—big on effort, always running to the ball. And I tackle well. Those are definitely my strengths."
Part of Killen's responsibility this season involves possibly wearing the "green dot," the mark of the playcaller who will be wearing coach-to-player communications through the helmet. "I've practiced with the green dot on, just getting used to it. At first, you've got to learn to listen—open up your ears a little bit. It really does help you play faster, and when you play faster, you play better."
While Killen remains unsure if he'll wear the green dot during games, he recognizes its importance. "It helps both in getting the play in faster and in communicating it to the guys. Our defensive coordinator might see something I don't, and he'll say, 'Look for this, look for that.' It works out a good bit of the time. I've still got to get better at thinking, 'Oh, maybe they're not hearing it,' and getting the call in as quickly as possible. It's definitely an adjustment, but we're all excited to use it."
A Life Beyond Football
Off the field, Killen finds solace and joy in activities that remind him of home. Growing up near water, he developed a deep love for water sports—a passion that continues to this day. "I grew up being around the water a lot. Grew up on the lake, grandparents from the beach, spent a lot of time at the beach. Anything water—sports, fishing, surfing, wakeboarding—I love it all."
Even in Michigan, Killen has found ways to connect with his love for the water. "Cole Snyder, actually, he moved to Ford Lake. We'd go up there and hang out a little bit during the summer—kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, fishing. That was fun."
Betting on Success
This season, Eastern Michigan has embraced the theme "BET," which has resonated differently with each player. For Killen, the concept is straightforward: "To me, BET means winning. You bet to win, right? And I feel like everything about BET is all about winning. I'm focusing on the little things that add up as wins. Over time, those wins can create something awesome for you and for the team. It's something that we're all thinking about and focusing on during the season."
As JT Killen gears up for his final collegiate season, he does so with a sense of purpose and a deep appreciation for the journey he's on. Whether he's leading the defense on the field, enjoying the Michigan lakes, or reflecting on what it means to bet on success, Killen is determined to make the most of every moment—proving that no matter where the journey takes you, it's the effort, passion, and grit that define you.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ FootballEMU Football Pregame Press Conference: Week 5 vs. Central Michigan
Monday, September 22
Louisiana: Cinematic Recap
Monday, September 22
⏳ The wait is almost over ⏳
Sunday, September 21
Football Downs Louisiana, 34-31, on Homecoming
Saturday, September 20