Former Oakland star JaCoby Stevens talks LSU playing in national championship game, NFL decision

Former Oakland and current LSU junior football standout JaCoby Stevens isn't the type to say, "I told you so."

But he predicted LSU's trip to the College Football Playoff national championship game more than three years ago.

"I did (see it coming)," said Stevens, who will start at safety for LSU when the Tigers take on defending national champ Clemson Monday at 7 p.m. (ESPN) in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

"When I committed to LSU, even before I signed, I told my dad that our junior year is the year we beat Alabama and go to the national championship. It's cool seeing all of this come to reality. I definitely did foresee us being in this situation."

Stevens was named DNJ all area player of the year, Class 6A Mr. Football and Gatorade Player of the Year in Tennessee during his senior season at Oakland.

He committed to the Tigers in September 2015, de-committed a few months later and committed again in August 2016. He stuck with the commitment after the Tigers fired Coach Les Miles just more than a month later.

The 6-foot-1, 228-pounder has been an integral part of the Tigers' success this season. He is second on the team with 85 tackles (8.5 for loss), five sacks and three interceptions for the Tigers, earning second-team All-SEC honors. He was the league's defensive player of the week three times during the season.

A look back:What is Oakland star JaCoby Stevens like off the field?

Although he predicted LSU's success this season, the reality of playing in Monday's title game is still a little surreal for Stevens.

"It's a unique experience," said Stevens, who started his LSU career as a wide receiver but moved to safety last season. "It's something you dream about growing up. Sometimes I have to remind myself, 'Hey, you're playing in the national championship game.'

"'Another game' has been our motto all year, but this is pretty exciting. There's only two teams left."

Oakland has a basketball doubleheader at home against Shelbyville on Monday. Game time has been moved up to 4 p.m. (girls, boys to follow) to accommodate Patriot fans wanting to watch Stevens and the Tigers.

"I think that says something about how much he has meant to the school and how much we still think about him," Oakland football coach Kevin Creasy said. "He's been gone three years, but we still hold him in high regard. It's pretty neat that we're trying to get everyone home to watch him."

Creasy and Stevens still talk often.

"I reach out to him every once in a while to let him know we haven't forgotten about him," Creasy said. "Usually I brag on him, but sometimes I'll point out something, too, to bring him back down to earth. I let him know we're still proud of him."

Rutherford County had a representative on each of the four playoff teams. Former Blackman running back Master Teague had a big year for Ohio State, which lost to Clemson and former Smyrna standout (and current Clemson strength coach) Adam Smotherman in the semifinals. Smotherman has been part of two national titles.

Stevens' former Oakland teammate, Oklahoma cornerback Woodi Washington, saw playing time in a semifinal loss to LSU.

"It was pretty cool to watch him," Stevens said. "We got to talk after the game and exchanged numbers. We're going to get together (in the offseason) and work out. He has all the capabilities in the world."

Stevens will have to decide whether to come back to LSU or enter the NFL Draft following the championship game. 

"It's not something I'm worried about right now," said Stevens, who was recently named one of the nation's top 50 players by Rivals. "I'm going to wait until after the national championship. It's something me and my family will sit down and think about after the national championship.

"I think I played really well (this season). Of course, there are some things I could have done better. All the hard work I put in is paying off now."

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

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