Spoken Through Actions: Julian Peterson’s Quiet Personality but Loud Presence

TROY, Ala. – Patience isn't always the most common trait that you see in a college student-athlete. For most athletes, the sport demands urgency— plays are belted, movements are quick, and you have to be ready. However, for Troy defensive lineman Julian Peterson, patience has been the quiet foundation of his career.

Now a senior, Peterson has seen the slow climb from a redshirt year with no snaps in 2021 to becoming one of the Trojans' key faces on the defensive line. His story is not defined by instant success but by the calm, steady progress that comes from waiting his turn and doing things the right way.

"I guess just kind of being patient, really," Peterson said. "That's something my folks really taught me. You know, you have patience, good things come from it. I just kind of kept my head down, worked hard, just waited my turn."

That patience paid off. Last season, Peterson started the final seven games at defensive tackle and graded out as Troy's best run defender in the front seven, according to Pro Football Focus. He posted 25 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks, making his presence felt in critical Sun Belt matchups against Louisiana, Coastal Carolina, and rival South Alabama.

Off the field, Peterson is categorized as a lead-by-example kind of guy. He is not much for screaming and yelling. He simply just wants to put his nose down and grind to be the best version of himself for his team. "I guess you could say I'm kind of a leader, but not much of a vocal guy," Peterson said. "I just lead by action and try to set a good example for everybody else."

That demeanor has deep roots. Growing up in Pinson Valley, Alabama, he redshirted his first year at Troy, barely saw the field as a freshman, and was primarily a special teams contributor as a sophomore. Many players would have looked elsewhere in an era of quick transfers and instant gratification. Peterson stayed.

Part of that was comfort. Peterson describes how the program "felt like home" and was close enough for his parents to make the two-and-a-half-hour drive to games.

Another part was culture. The locker room— especially the group of guys on the defense that are referred to as the "Back Street"— gave him a sense of belonging. Plus, now Peterson's younger brother has joined the defensive squad as well.

"We kind of really almost like the same person," Peterson said with a laugh, referencing his younger brother, who is a Troy corner that shares an apartment with him. "He's just a smaller version of me."

That calm personality carries off the field, too. Peterson spends free time drawing, listening to music, or working on cars with his brother. He admits game days bring out a different side, though.

"I guess I'm always excited just to be on the field, just share the field with my guys," he said. "Saturdays are a chance to let loose and just be who I really am." Peterson's evolution into a starter wasn't flashy, and the legacy that he wants to leave is quite simple. "I just kind of want to be a good example for the younger guys," Peterson said. "Once we leave, the next group comes in. They need to see somebody in front of them showing how it's done."

In a sport built on intensity, Peterson is proof that patience and a calm demeanor can be powerful. He honestly just loves being at The Vet on Saturdays alongside his younger brother and teammates, who have become brothers as well.

Troy University Athletics

Spoken Through Actions: Julian Peterson’s Quiet Personality but Loud Presence

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Julian Peterson

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