Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux is more than the next potential No. 1 NFL draft pick, he’s also a rising star in the world of esports.
Kayvon Thibodeaux is more than the next potential number one NFL draft pick. He is an amazing athlete with a lot of talent, but he also has some issues that could come up during the draft process.
On a recruitment visit to Mario Cristobal’s office, KAYVON THIBODEAUX sat in his office, looking for answers.
He was attempting to go through hundreds of text messages and recruiting pitches from coaches seeking to convince him to join their institutions as the country’s top prospect.
Thibodeaux, on the other hand, was sick of coaches promising him how they could win a championship together or help him get into the NFL. He informed Cristobal that he wanted to choose a new path. Off the field, what can Oregon do to help Thibodeaux? What is he going to do to make a difference in the community? How encouraging would Cristobal be if Thibodeaux pursued interests other than football?
“I remember looking at him and thinking to myself, ‘He’s had to wake up to 450,000 text messages with the same repetitive recruitment blah,’” Cristobal said. “And I sat with him and had a great discussion with him about his strategy and how he wanted to show himself to Oregon. It was all about improvement, about honing one’s skill, and I felt it was tremendous.”
Cristobal addressed his questions honestly and candidly, stating that the top recruit will have every chance to pursue his goals as long as he gave his all on the field.
Because of how much he spoke about his other hobbies and aspirations, several college coaches questioned Thibodeaux’s commitment to football. He enjoys football, but he also recognizes that he has the potential to set a good example for the kids in his community. He aspires to be financially secure enough to open a charter school for young children, design his own shoe, and serve as a role model for youngsters who share his Los Angeles upbringing.
Thibodeaux had the most quarterback pressures (34) and quarterback hurries (27) in the Pac-12 last season. Despite battling an ankle injury as a junior for ninth-ranked Oregon, which plays Cal on Friday (10:30 ET, ESPN/ESPN App), he has cemented himself as one of the top predicted NFL draft selections next year.
Thibodeaux, on the other hand, does not define himself by his sport, and he has just scratched the surface of what he wants to do on and off the field.
“The only reason people are interested in this narrative is because of football, and football is the only way I’ll be able to establish a school and accomplish anything I want,” Thibodeaux said. “I’ll never forget that football brought me here and that football is the platform,” he says.
Kayvon Thibodeaux is a young man from Louisiana. ESPN
ANTONIO PATTERSON WAS IN THE CLASSROOM AT ANGELES MESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHEN he first spotted Thibodeaux. Patterson mistook him for a teacher’s assistant since he towered over the other students.
Thibodeaux was in third grade at the time.
Patterson put his name and number on a Little Caesar’s napkin after realizing he was a student because he operated a youth football program and felt this adult-sized kid should participate. He welcomed Thibodeaux and his mother, and after first introducing Thibodeaux to football when he was eight years old, he became a mentor on and off the field.
Patterson had a feeling Thibodeaux was exceptional from the start. He recalls Thibodeaux, who was almost 6-feet tall at the time, prancing out onto his primary school’s stage as Rudolph, dressed as a reindeer and leading his friends and Santa Claus in a school play.
His charisma and confidence shone as brightly as his red nose, as if he needed anything more to set him apart from his classmates. Thibodeaux was always more than his stature, even when he was young.
Patterson remarked, “I constantly tell him he’s going to be president one day because he has the gift of gab.” “Growing up, I always told him that he was going to be the largest person in the room, the loudest, and the most charming, but that he needed to make sure that the things he spoke were trustworthy. Kayvon is ahead of his time; he recognizes the umbrella he has and the people that depend on him and that umbrella.”
“Football is the only reason people are interested in my tale, and football is the only way I’ll be able to establish a school and accomplish whatever I want to do. Football brought me here, and football is the platform, and I’ll never forget that.” Kayvon Thibodeaux is a defensive end for the Oregon Ducks.
Part of the reason he understands is that he hasn’t forgotten his roots.
Thibodeaux grew up in South Central Los Angeles with his mother, a home-based cosmetologist. “A location where youngsters are vulnerable to bad influences,” Thibodeaux remarked. His father, who resided across town, stepped in when he could. Everyone around him was struggling to make ends meet.
Patterson used to take Thibodeaux and his son, Justin, to McDonald’s when Thibodeaux was a kid. Patterson would buy each child a salad and one chicken sandwich to share since he didn’t have much money.
He’d go to Little Caesars, order a pizza, and have it sliced twice as many times as it usually would, giving the impression that the kids were receiving two slices of pizza apiece. Thibodeaux didn’t understand what was going on until he was in middle school.
Patterson said, “He understands that if he had access to some of the things he could offer, the kids around here would be fast-tracked.” “There was no template, and no one before him had reached back and returned the favor. But he recognizes the difference and the potential for assistance, and anytime you recognize a difference, it adds clarity to the issue.”
Patterson and the coaches around him saw Thibodeaux’s talent on the field early on. Coaches from Dorsey, Crenshaw, and Junipero Serra all filled the stands to see him compete in his under-14 league.
Thibodeaux began his football career at Dorsey High School, where he was a freshman tight end and defensive end until the playoffs, when he appeared in three games for the varsity squad. He had nine sacks in the three games.
As a sophomore at Dorsey, he recorded 17 sacks, but in 2017 he moved to Oaks Christian in Westlake Village, California, to play football. He understood that transferring would offer him a greater chance of achieving his objectives. He matured into his role and his physique, and his recruiting skyrocketed as he rose to the top of the rankings.
The disparities between the schools and their environs were night and day, with some Oak Christian pupils driving more costly vehicles than the instructors.
According to Zillow, the typical house price in Westlake Village is $1.2 million, while the yearly tuition at Oaks Christian is $37,225.
“Traveling from [South Central] to [Oaks Christian] will show you the planned possibilities and resources,” Thibodeaux added.
Kayvon Thibodeaux hasn’t been as productive this season due to an ankle injury, as he was last year, when he led the Pac-12 in quarterback pressures and quarterback hurries. Icon Sportswire/Brian Rothmuller
THIBODEAUX KNEW he’d be a target once he arrived at Oregon, having been a five-star, all-around, top-ranked recruit.
“He didn’t think of himself as unique,” Oregon offensive line coach Alex Mirabal said. “He didn’t seek special treatment, nothing like that from the coaches.” “I thought it was refreshing, and I believe that’s why he’s been able to establish himself and become such a great football player because he’s always eager to learn.”
Oregon had a seasoned offensive line at the time, including Penei Sewell, who was chosen in the first round of this year’s NFL draft, Shane Lemieux, who was selected in the fifth round of the draft by the New York Giants, and a few more experienced players.
Each practice session was handled by Thibodeaux as a series of game scenarios, which resulted in squabbles and heightened emotions at initially.
“He came in eager to steal someone’s job from the beginning,” Sewell added. “I recall him getting into a little brawl with the offensive lineman during a workout. He arrived ready to play and eager to get started.”
It was a small mix-up that didn’t turn into anything major, but it marked the beginning of Thibodeaux’s rise to the top of the squad and his drive for his colleagues to play at their best.
“He doesn’t want any more attention; all he wants to do is play his best football,” Cristobal said. “Right now, he’s working at an insane pace, as shown by what he accomplished the other day in the weight room. That man couldn’t squat 405 [pounds] when he first arrived, but yesterday he was doing 405 repetitions of single leg reverse lunges.
“I’ve never seen something like it before — it’s unique.”
As he scouted games, Thibodeaux often questioned Mirabal about what he observed on video from the opponent’s offensive line. In the weight room and on the practice field, he pushed his colleagues — and himself.
Thibodeaux, who led the team in sacks (three) and tackles for loss (9.5) last season, said, “I never boasted and acted like I was the man coming in, because we all know high school means nothing.” “It was simply that there was no fear. It was then that I understood I was here, and no one cared how old you are. You’re playing if you’re on the field, so give it your all.”
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Others are drawn to Thibodeaux because of his charm, and his work ethic sets the tone for what may be anticipated at Oregon. He moved from learning from veterans as a rookie to being a leader in the stat book as a sophomore to becoming the team leader younger players look forward to as a junior.
“Wow, that’s Kayvon Thibodeaux,” Cristobal remarked of some of the rookies. “His legacy will be defined by how he conducts himself, because when you’re a famous player, a significant proportion of men will copy you or imitate you in some manner. I believe he is becoming aware of this, and I believe this is the greatest part.”
He still has a lot of things to do on the field. The first objective for Thibodeaux is to win a national title. His second ambition is to become just the second defensive athlete in history to win the Heisman Trophy. He wants to get 20 sacks and be flawless.
What he doesn’t want to worry about right now is what happens after collegiate football.
He’s being spoken about as a possible No. 1 selection in the NFL draft, but he views it as little more than hype, much like his recruiting. It’s all simply a diversion that may lead him off his intended route and away from his objectives.
“I have to deal with this situation since [the NFL] is so far away. I’m sure you’ve seen that if you take things too broadly, you’ll miss everything right in front of you “Thibodeaux expressed his thoughts. “I’ve heard a number of tales of people who were highly regarded before the season but who looked too far ahead and didn’t produce when the season arrived. Because social media is false and hype isn’t genuine, I simply concentrate on what requires my attention, such as my coach, my school, and everything else I’ve done so far has positioned me to focus and really zero in on this season.”
Thibodeaux had always been known for his football, not for who he was. With that mindset, he believed that the more success he had, the larger his platform would become.
Kayvon Thibodeaux wants to teach youngsters from similar backgrounds that they, too, can succeed. “One thing I’ve learned is that the school system and our kids in the future are what we need to improve in the community,” he added. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP/AP/AP/AP/AP/AP/
EDUCATION IS AN Essential ASPECT OF Thibodeaux’s emphasis; he thinks it is the most important way he can make a difference, and he hopes to establish a charter school for children comparable to LeBron James’ I Promise School. Thibodeaux wants to teach youngsters who are in a similar position to him that they, too, can succeed.
He intends to begin by providing scholarships, a scholarship fund, and educational opportunities to people who are less fortunate, with the goal of ultimately expanding his efforts into a full-fledged school.
“One thing I’ve learned is that the school system and our kids in the future are what we need to improve in the community,” Thibodeaux added. “People have been guiding me in the correct path for starting a school. Hopefully, one day, I’ll be able to speak with LeBron about how he accomplished it and the ups and downs he had.”
He’ll probably earn enough money in the NFL to contribute and give back, but the ability to benefit off his name, image, and likeness has also aided him. He’s teamed up with United Airlines, published an NFT with Nike co-founder Phil Knight and designer Tinker Hatfield, and launched his own cryptocurrency. All of those contracts, at about $400,000, are assisting him in achieving his objective.
“I’ve given two big contributions to my charities,” Thibodeaux said. “The first was an auction of a piece of art produced by Tinker Hatfield, with the proceeds going to the charity.” “At the moment, we’re seeking to work with Boys and Girls Clubs throughout America to contribute to their education and mentoring programs, in addition to establishing a charter school that enables disadvantaged children to attend for free.”
Thibodeaux told Knight, a famous Oregon alum and supporter, on a recruiting visit in high school that he would make his shoe one day, a daring statement given Thibodeaux’s position on the defensive line.
“Uncle Phil, when are you going to develop a shoe for large, quick men like myself?” I asked a few months later. Thibodeaux expressed his thoughts. “Fast forward to lately, and I’ve been able to speak with my equipment team and the Nike team, and they’re taking my input on the next shoe they’re going to release and how they can make it better for guys my size.”
He’s also used the Oregon network to get internships in the media industry. Thibodeaux is aware that his football career will come to an end at some point, so he’s already attempting to acquire experience in the booth. COVID-19 thwarted several of his plans, including a visit of a few studios in the sports media business and commentating on a LAFC match.
In his view, his life will not be defined only by the number of sacks he accumulates or the awards he wins. The effect he has off the field will determine how successful he is.
But he also understands that football is the vehicle that will provide him with those opportunities, and that he hasn’t yet achieved the summit. It will rely on what he performs on the field if he wants to earn that shoe contract, have the means to establish a school for disadvantaged children, and assist his community.
In a world of NIL and NFTs, the high school student who sat in Cristobal’s office begging for chances couldn’t have anticipated how fast his off-field ambitions might be fulfilled.
But he understands how those chances are linked to what he does better than almost anybody else: wreaking havoc in the backfield and assisting his team in winning games. As the season winds down and Oregon prepares for a run in the College Football Playoff, Thibodeaux relishes the added attention that comes with being a former No. 1 recruit and possible future No. 1 NFL draft selection.
“I have greater standards for myself than for anybody else,” Thibodeaux remarked. “‘I understood what sort of person you are,’ my strength instructor joked, ‘since you like to tell everyone your objectives so that everyone can keep you accountable.’ That’s me on the left. I’ve never shied away from a challenge, and everything is a competition, so I had to win or lose once I understood my situation.”
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