Trevor Matich explains what makes Oregon DE Kayvon Thibodeaux special and then talks with the Heisman hopefuls about the upcoming season. (4:29).
KAYVON THHIBODEAUX (SAT) in Mario Cristobal’s office, on a recruitment visit, looking for answers.
He was the country's No. 1 prospect. He was the No. 1 prospect in the nation and was trying to navigate through the thousands of texts and pitches from coaches to convince him to enroll at their schools.
Thibodeaux got tired of hearing coaches tell him how they could win a title together or how they could help his reach the NFL. Cristobal told him he was looking for a new direction. What can Oregon do to Thibodeaux outside the field? What can he do to make a difference for the community? Cristobal would be supportive of Thibodeaux's exploration of other interests than football.
Cristobal stated, "I can remember staring at him and thinking, he's got no choice but to wake up to 450,000 texts with the same redundant recruitment blah." "And I sat down with him and we had a really great conversation about his plan and how he wanted Oregon to succeed. It was about improvement, it was about working for the craft, and that was what I found huge."
Cristobal answered all of his questions honestly and openly. He said that the star recruit would be able to pursue his dreams as long he gave his best on the field.
Because Thibodeaux spoke so much about his other interests, college coaches were skeptical of Thibodeaux's passion for football. Thibodeaux loves football but knows that he can be a positive role model for his community's youth. He hopes to be financially stable enough to open a charter school for young children, to design his own shoes and to be a role model to those who are from similar backgrounds to him in Los Angeles.
Thibodeaux was the Pac-12's leader in quarterback pressures (34) and quarterback hurries (27), a year ago. Although he suffered an ankle injury as a junior for Oregon's ninth-ranked team, Thibodeaux is now projected to be one of the top picks in the NFL draft next year.
Thibodeaux isn't defined by his sport and hasn't even scratched the surface on what he wants.
Thibodeaux stated, "The only reason people are interested in this story is because it involves football." "I will never lose sight of the fact that football is what got my here, and that football provides the platform.
Kayvon Thibodeaux ESPN
ANTONIO PATERSON WAS A TEACHER AT Angeles Mesa Elementary School at the time Thibodeaux was first seen. Patterson noticed Thibodeaux towering above all the children and assumed he was a teacher's assistant.
Thibodeaux was in third grade.
Patterson realized he was a student and wrote his name on a Little Caesar's napkin. He had run a youth football program and felt that this child of average size should play. After greeting Thibodeaux's mother and introducing Thibodeaux football at eight years old, Patterson became a mentor.
Patterson recognized Thibodeaux as a special person from an early age. Patterson recalled Thibodeaux at six feet tall, in fifth grade, prance out onto the school's stage in a reindeer costume, as Rudolph, leading his classmates and Santa Claus in a school play.
His personality and confidence were as shining as his red nose, as if they needed any other thing to make him stand apart from his peers. Thibodeaux was a young man who knew there was more to him than his physical size.
Patterson stated, "I always tell my son that he's going be the president one of these days, because he has a gift for gab." "Growing up I always reminded him of his potential to be the largest person in the room. He was going to have the loudest, most charismatic personality, but you need to make sure the things that come out your mouth are trustworthy." Patterson said. Kayvon is ahead of his time. He understands the umbrella that he has, and the people that depend on him.
"The only reason people are interested in this story is because football is the only thing that I can do to open a school or do what I want is to play football. "Football is what got me to this point and football is the platform," I will never forget. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon defensive end
He understands this partly because he doesn't forget where he came.
Thibodeaux was raised with his mom Thibodeaux, a cosmetologist who lived in South Central Los Angeles. Thibodeaux stated that this is a place where children can be vulnerable to "negative influences." His father lived in the same area and was always there to help. Everyone around him struggled to make ends meet.
Thibodeaux, his son, was taken to McDonald's by Patterson when he was younger. Patterson bought each child a chicken sandwich and a salad, despite not having much money.
So, he would go to Little Caesar's and order a pizza. He asked for it to be cut twice as often as normal so that the children thought they were getting two pizzas. Thibodeaux was in middle school when he discovered what was going on.
Patterson stated that Patterson knows that Patterson would have access to the resources he needs to help the children around him. Patterson said that there wasn't a blueprint and that no one before him had reached out to help. He sees the difference, and what help is possible. When you see a difference it helps to see the situation.
Patterson and his coaches quickly realized that Thibodeaux was a gifted player on the field. All three high school coaches, Crenshaw, Junipero Serra and Dorsey were there to support him in his under-14 league.
Thibodeaux began his career at Dorsey High School as a tight end/defensive end. He played until the playoffs when he was called up to the varsity team for three games. He had nine sacks in those three games.
As a sophomore at Dorsey he had 17 sacks. He then transferred to Oaks Christian, Westlake Village, California to play football in 2017. He knew that transferring would provide him with better opportunities to reach his goals. He grew into his job and his body and worked his way up to the No. His recruitment was rapid.
There were significant differences in the schools and the surrounding areas, with Oak Christian students driving more expensive cars than teachers.
According to Zillow, Oaks Christian's annual tuition is $37,225 and Westlake Village's average home price is $1.2million.
Thibodeaux stated, "Going from South Central to Oaks Christian will show you all the slated opportunities available and resources available."
Kayvon Thibodeaux isn't as prolific this year because of an ankle injury. Last season, he was the Pac-12 leader in quarterback pressures, quarterback hurries, and quarterback hurries. Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
THIBODEAUX KNEW THAT HE WAS A TARGET AFTER he arrived in Oregon. He was a top-ranked, five-star recruit.
Alex Mirabal, Oregon's offensive line coach, said that he did not consider himself special. He didn't expect special treatment from coaches and didn't feel he deserved it. "I thought that was very refreshing. I believe that's why that's why his ability to establish himself and become an outstanding football player. He's always yearning for more.
Oregon was able to field a veteran linebacker group at the time. Penei Sewell was selected in this year's first round. Shane Lemieux was chosen by the New York Giants fifth round. There were also a few other players.
Thibodeaux treated every practice session as a series game situations. This initially created battles and rose tempers.
Sewell stated that he was ready to accept someone's job right away. "I can recall one practice when he got into a little fight with the offensive linemen. He was ready to play and wanted to start right away.
Although it was a minor incident that didn't lead to anything, Thibodeaux became a leader of the team and encouraged his teammates to perform at the highest level.
Cristobal stated that he doesn't need any hype and just wants to play his best football. He's currently working at an ungodly pace, similar to what he did in the weight room the other day. He couldn't lift 405 pounds [pounds] when they brought him here. Yesterday, he was doing single leg reverse lunges and 405 reps.
"I have never seen it before, that's something new."
Thibodeaux asked Mirabal every day about the footage he had seen from an opponent's offensive line while he was scouting games. He was a pusher for his teammates and himself in the weight room as well as on the practice fields.
Thibodeaux, who was the team's leader in tackles for loss (9.5) and sacks (3.), said, "I never bristled and acted as if I was the guy going in, because high school is nothing." It was not fear. It was because I realized that I am here now, and nobody cares about your age. You're on the field because you want to play and you have to give your best.
Thibodeaux's charisma draws others to him and sets the tone for Oregon. Thibodeaux went from being a freshman learning form veterans to being a leader in stats as a sophomore and now he is the role model for younger players.
Cristobal stated that some of the freshmen were like Kayvon Thibodeaux. His legacy will be his way of doing things. Because when you're a prominent player, there are a lot of guys who want to do the same thing or imitate you in some manner. He's realizing this, and that's probably the best thing about it.
Thibodeaux still has many accomplishments to make on the field. Thibodeaux has two goals. His first is to win the national championship. He is aiming to win the Heisman trophy, which would make Thibodeaux the second defensive player to achieve this feat. He is aiming to achieve perfection and 20 sacks.
He doesn't want to think about what happens after college football.
He is being referred to as the potential No. He is being referred to as the potential No. 1 pick in this year's NFL draft. But, like his recruitment, he doesn't see that as hype. He sees it as a distraction and could be diverted from his goal.
"[The NFL] seems so far away, that I must tackle this moment. Thibodeaux stated that if you look too far ahead, you will miss all the details in front of your eyes. Thibodeaux said, "There are many stories about guys who are high-rated before the season but they look too far ahead and don't perform when it comes." Social media hype is fake. I focus my attention on the things that matter to me so my coach, school, and everything I've done thus far have helped me focus on this season.
Thibodeaux's football was always about what he did, and not his persona. This mentality allowed him to believe that the greater his success, the larger the platform.
Kayvon Thibodeaux hopes to inspire children who are in the same place as him that they can succeed. He said, "One thing that I have realized is that we must change the community's education system and our youth in the future." AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez
Thibodeaux is a big believer in education and believes it to be the most important thing he can do. He eventually hopes to open a charter school for children, similar to LeBron James’ I Promise School. Thibodeaux hopes to inspire children who are in the same place as him that they can achieve their goals.
He hopes to begin by giving grants, scholarships, and educational opportunities for those less fortunate and then grow his efforts to a full-fledged school.
Thibodeaux stated, "One thing that I've realized is that what we need to transform the community is education system and with the youth of the future." I've had people point me in the right direction about how to open schools. I hope to get in touch one day with LeBron and learn how he did it, and what the ups and downs were.
While he'll probably make enough money in NFL to give and to give back, the chance to make a profit from his name, image, and likeness has also been a benefit. He has partnered up with United Airlines, created an NFT with Nike founder Phil Knight, and Tinker Hatfield to create his own cryptocurrency. He is now closer to his goal thanks to all of the contracts that amount to approximately $400,000
Thibodeaux stated that he had made two major allocations to my foundations. The first was Tinker Hatfield's piece of art. The auctioned proceeds will go towards the foundation. "Aside from the opening of a charter school that allows children with limited resources to attend free of charge, we are now looking to partner Boys and Girls clubs across America in order to support their education and mentorship programs."
Thibodeaux met Knight on a high school recruiting visit and promised him that he would make his shoes one day. This bold prediction is not surprising considering Thibodeaux plays along a defensive line.
Thibodeaux stated that he had spoken with Phil a few months later and asked him when he would make a shoe for fast, big men like me. "Fast forward to recent and I was able to have discussions with my equipment team as well as the Nike team. They are taking my opinion on their next shoe and how they can make it more suitable for men my size.
He also used the Oregon network to secure internships in broadcasting. Thibodeaux is aware that his football career is over and he is trying to get experience in the booth. COVID-19 hampered some of his opportunities. Thibodeaux was hoping to visit a few studios in the sports media industry and commentate on an LAFC match.
His life will not be measured by the number of sacks he collects or the number of trophies he receives. He will make a difference on the field.
He also knows football is his vehicle and that he hasn’t yet reached the pinnacle. It will all depend on his performance on the field if he wants that shoe deal and the funds to start a school for children who are underprivileged.
The high school student who asked Cristobal for opportunities couldn't have guessed how quickly his goals off-field could be realized in a world with NIL and NFTs.
He knows that those opportunities are tied with the one thing he does best - creating havoc on the opposing backfield and helping his team win. Thibodeaux is excited about the hype surrounding being a former No. 1 recruit and Oregon's chance to make the College Football Playoffs. Thibodeaux is a former No. 1 recruit and a potential future No. 1 NFL draft pick.
Thibodeaux stated, "My expectations for myself are higher than anyone else." Thibodeaux said that Thibodeaux was a strength coach who made a joke about how he realized Thibodeaux's character. He stated, "I realize what kind of person I am, that you like telling everybody your goals so everyone can hold you accountable." That's me. I have never been afraid to take on a challenge, and every competition is a challenge. Once I realized where I was, I knew I had to win or lose.
