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The University of Mississippi Athletics
McBride Makes The Grade
10/2/2006 | Football
By Brooks Smith
Athletics Media Relations
Performing at a high level on the football field and in the classroom requires hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. Just ask Ole Miss defensive back Trumaine McBride.
"Being a student-athlete is hard," McBride said. "You have to cut out stuff like watching too much TV and playing video games. You have to focus on football and school work in order to succeed."
McBride, a senior from Clarksdale, Miss., has found the right formula to help him succeed both on and off the field at Ole Miss.
As a freshman, McBride played in all 13 games for the Rebels, including the 31-28 Cotton Bowl victory over Oklahoma State.
During his sophomore season, McBride led the SEC in passes defensed (1.45 pg) and twice earned the Quarterback Club Defensive Player of the Week Award. He would begin a streak of starting in 25 consecutive games for the Rebels.
Prior to the 2005 season, McBride was named to the Preseason All-SEC West First Team by Phipps Football Magazine. During his junior season, he helped the Rebel defense finish the year ranked 14th in the nation in pass defense, 27th in total defense and 31st in scoring defense.
Just as he has helped lead the Rebel defense, McBride is showing the way in the classroom.
He earned the Scholar-Athlete Award from the Ole Miss Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 2003.
A regular on the University Honor Roll, McBride was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2004 and 2005. In 2005, he was selected to ESPN The Magazine's Academic All-District VI squad.
An accounting major, McBride has his sights set on playing professional football. However, he is keeping an open mind as to what his future might hold.
"I'm going to get my bachelor's degree in accounting," he said. "If football doesn't work out, I will work on getting a master's degree in accounting."
As for his immediate future, McBride has one goal. "I want to see us [Ole Miss] win football games," he said. "We worked very hard in the off-season to get to this point. I hope that we can get to a bowl game and play for the SEC championship."
McBride has made the most of his time at Ole Miss against opposing teams on the field and in the classroom. "My time at Ole Miss has been nothing but a win-win situation for me," he said. "I have loved every minute of it."
Indeed, he has found the right formula.
