During a news conference earlier this month, LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. sat flanked by the Heisman Trophy favorite and Tigers coach Ed Orgeron, making Stingley the youngster in the group - as usual.
Senior quarterback Joe Burrow, the Ohio State transfer who did go on to win the Heisman, even felt compelled to offer a reminder about his teammate after both had starring roles in the Southeastern Conference championship game.
"In case anybody forgets, Derek is a freshman. In case anybody forgets that," Burrow said. "I forget it a lot."
It's easy to do. Stingley quickly progressed from top recruit to a centerpiece of the defense for the top-ranked Tigers (13-0). He had two interceptions in the SEC title game, a 37-10 win over Georgia in Atlanta, which helped set up Saturday's College Football Playoff semifinal showdown with No. 4 Oklahoma (12-1) at the Peach Bowl - back at the same Mercedes-Benz Stadium where they faced the Bulldogs this month.
That earned a trip to the interview room for a freshman who had been off limits to the media this season. He handled that about as well as he has his on-field role, saying that "the only reason I'm in this position is because of everyone else on the defense."
LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., left, breaks up a pass intended for Texas wide receiver Collin Johnson on Sept. 7 in Austin, Texas. Stingley was selected as newcomer of the year on The Associated Press All-SEC team earlier this month. / AP file photo by Eric GayStingley has started every game. He leads the SEC and is tied for fifth nationally with six interceptions, is third nationally with 21 passes defended and also returns punts, factors that helped him make The Associated Press All-SEC first team.
Grant Delpit, a star safety for the Tigers, called him "the best freshman corner I've ever seen."
The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder arrived at LSU from nearby Dunham School in Baton Rouge as the nation's No. 1 overall recruit, according to Rivals. Beyond that lofty rating, though, Stingley made a quick impression on his teammates with his approach.
"Derek is as humble a guy as I've seen," Burrow said. "No. 1 recruit, sometimes they come in and they're all cocky and loud, and Derek didn't say a word for three months.
"At practice, I would go out of my way to throw Derek's way to see if he was as good as everyone said he was. I can tell you, yes, he is. Yes, he is."
Orgeron recalls seeing Stingley and his dad, Derek Sr., working out in the indoor facility "every Saturday and Sunday" during the offseason. The work paid off with a starting role in a secondary already featuring Delpit and fellow cornerback Kristian Fulton, along with the punt returner's job.
"He's a tireless worker," Orgeron said. "Derek is a humble young man. He came ready to go when we had him. His dad did a good job of coaching him. He's one of the finest corners I've ever been around, and he's a competitor."
Stingley also has impressive athletic bloodlines. His father, an assistant coach at Dunham, played college baseball and was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1993. Derek Jr.'s late grandfather, Darryl Stingley, was a first-round draft pick by the NFL's New England Patriots 20 years earlier, with Stingley paralyzed during a 1978 preseason game when he was hit by the Oakland Raiders' Jack Tatum.
Derek Jr.'s football career is certainly off to a good start - even in LSU's spring game, he picked off a deep pass by Burrow - but for all the highlights, like any cornerback, he's had to overcome some bad plays, too.
Against Alabama, he was caught frozen at the line when DeVonta Smith raced by him and caught a 64-yard touchdown pass. Stingley was glancing toward the sideline when Tua Tagovailoa had taken a snap immediately after making it appear he was looking to Crimson Tide coaches for a new play.
"He made plays, but he also went through some adversity," LSU senior cornerback Kristian Fulton said. "That's something you don't really see from a freshman. He's strong mentally. Great athleticism. I couldn't be prouder of him. He's a complete player."
Stingley has had the benefit of working against Burrow and LSU's standout receivers in practice, including JaMarr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Terrace Marshall. It's not a bad way to groom yourself for facing the likes of Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts - who was one of Burrow's fellow Heisman finalists - and Sooners star receiver CeeDee Lamb.
"Joe taught me a lot about having to go play by play, because in high school I was always able to make the play," Stingley said. "But when I came here and he was pinpoint accurate, there was just times that I was on the receiver but I just couldn't do anything about it.
"That just taught me a lot about the game because it's going to happen. Once I got over that, (and developed a) play-by-play mentality, then I knew that I'd be all right."