Superstar is what some of his peers call him jokingly. The only problem is, it is somewhat true. Kyle Kitchens is entering his senior year here at Catawba College and has tunnel vision to outdo his previous seasons.
The 2016 Division ll All-American is looking to make 2017 a year for the books as he leaves his legacy behind. Kitchens, who was first team all conference and second team all region last season, says individual accolades aren’t what drives him. “Being a team leader is what’s most important to me. If I can motivate my teammates to give it their all like me, we will be unstoppable.”
The outside linebacker spoke on hopes of leading his team to the conference championship after a disappointing season last year. He thinks with the new recruits and transfers that have joined the team, it is possible to win the school’s first national championship.
Coach Corey Reedy, who coaches Kitchens on special teams says, “Kyle is a one of a kind player. He has a drive like no other. He has a switch that comes on on game day, and when a play needs to be made, you can depend on Kitchens to deliver.”
Coach Reedy also says that Kitchens is the type of player that possesses next level talent. When questioned about it, the Defensive MVP said that if the opportunity presents itself, he would make the most of it.
The opportunity isn’t far fetched as the outside linebacker has already participated in workouts for National Football League coaches in the offseason. Kyle has done enough already to catch the eye of scouts and his coaches are helping him make the necessary steps to be put in the best position to pursue his football dreams.
Since Kitchens has stepped foot on the Indians football field, he has made an impact. He came in as a freshman and earned himself a starting spot on the Indians defense. Kitchens immediately made an impact to the team and show no signs of slowing down.
Coach Keith Henry, who was the defensive coordinator, has molded Kyle into the player he is today. Now that Coach Henry has left, Kyle feels that Head Coach Curtis Walker will step in and do bigger and better things for the defense.
Although his defensive coach left Catawba, he feels it necessary to carry out the values that Coach Henry has instilled in him. Kitchens says he repeats some of Coach Henry’s infamous quotes to himself and his teammates when it’s time to go play ball.
Such as, when Kyle would complain about not getting much action to his side during games, Coach Henry would say, “The great ones make a way to make a play.” Kyle lives by this quote every Saturday.
In 2015 and 2016 Kitchens led the team in sacks, which has put him in second place on the school’s all time single season sack record list with 13.5. He also led the team in tackles for loss. In 2015 and 2016, Kitchens was named the South Atlantic Conference region player of the year.
Kyle shared an interesting fact. “I don’t sleep the night before games. I’m so anxious that it keeps me up at night. Plus, I like to imagine myself making plays, so on game day, I can make my visions come true.
Outside of football, Kyle is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated at the neighboring Livingstone College. He is also a member of the Black Student Union on campus here at Catawba.
Kitchens, who is from Decatur, Georgia, has plans to obtain his B.A. degree in Sports Management and he will graduate this Spring. Upon graduation, he wants to work towards becoming a high school athletic director in Georgia.
