The big-time defensive lineman was in attendance at the media day, and he looked strong and imposing as you would expect, based on his dominant year last season, when he was named the Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Opposing coaches were impressed with the shape he was in, and Kayden is a confident young man. Kayden shared that the best thing he does is shut down the running game up front during one of his answers at Media Day.

When I got a ringing endorsement from Kayden’s head coach to take a look at him, it was an easy choice to add him to our state rankings at a pretty high level. Kayden was named his team’s defensive player of the year, the Rowan County defensive player of the year, and All-Conference for his performance last year. When you watch the film, Kayden plays with exceptional strength, shedding blocks with one arm at times in the running game. The transition Kayden shows between power and speed is also impressive when he’s rushing the passer. Kayden picked up his first offer in January from East Carolina and has since picked up a recent offer from Old Dominion.

The Rowan County Defensive Player of the Year had a breakout season for West Rowan, racking up over 70 tackles and five sacks as a defensive lineman and even intercepting a pass. He parlayed that huge sophomore performance into an early East Carolina offer, one from a team that has traditionally excelled at scouting Tar Heel State defensive linemen. He’s already put on a significant amount of good weight since last year, and he has the versatility to play multiple positions along the defensive line.