POP-TARTS BOWL: BYU COUGARS VS GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS

December 23, 2025

Austin Leausa

Camping World Stadium

BYU Cougars

Press Conference

Q. Being here, what does this mean for you?

AUSTIN LEAUSA: I have two kids of my own, seeing their smiling faces, having a good time, it's been a good time for us. So it's been perfect.

Q. So you have your own two kids?

AUSTIN LEAUSA: Yeah.

Q. Do they come?

AUSTIN LEAUSA: They did. They are at the hotel with my wife right now. They are ready to get to Disney World and Universal, so we're excited.

Q. This whole Bowl experience, what's it been like four?

AUSTIN LEAUSA: Really good. Just taking everything in, me being a senior and just really excited for the future. But we're focusing on game and everything here at the Pop-Tarts Bowl but excited to be here.

Q. A lot of talk about brotherhood and being able to celebrate one last game with your teammates, do you have that sense when you came in?

AUSTIN LEAUSA: Yeah, I feel that. I think all of the guys have been talking to the underclassmen about sending the seniors out the right way and this is a great game to do it. We are going to a great game in Florida, visiting all the parks and just want to make it the best we can.

Q. Tell me about the hammer.

AUSTIN LEAUSA: The kid we were covering, Jemel, he wanted to play the basketball game and when he made a shot, he gave it to me. I was super happy and super blessed to have him today.

Q. What did you learn about Jemel?

AUSTIN LEAUSA: The time that we had, he is a defensive tackle, he led his team in sacks this year and I guess he has the fastest 40 to the O-line and D-Line.

Q. What do you get out of that experience? It means a ton for a kid to look up at you and see a future. What's your takeaway?

AUSTIN LEAUSA: Putting myself in his shoes. If I wasn't as experienced I'd look up to somebody like him growing up as a little kid. I wanted to do everything I could to show him a good time and be there for him and let him know that we're here and really just have an impact on his life.

Q. Obviously at some point this week, you have to practice and switch into game day mode. How do you balance that?

AUSTIN LEAUSA: I think it's just an every day thing for us. It's just a process. Like for me personally, when I go home to the kid I'm in dad mode but when I'm in here I'm in football mode. Just being able to flip that switch is just good for us.