Interview: Kerry Bennett on preparing Kevin Pierre-Louis for NFL Combine, Draft

For former college football players, this is a crucial time.

Kevin Pierre-Louis, who played the last four seasons with Colorado State Rams Football, is now looking to move onto the NFL. He has high hopes, just as many of his former teammates do; Jasen Oden was never shy about his dreams, neither was Cory James or DeAndre Elliott. All of them want to become “Next Level Rams.”

For the last three seasons, Kevin Pierre-Louis was undoubtedly the Rams hardest hitter. Evidence can be found in this superb highlight tape which labels him “Hitman.”

https://twitter.com/trainerkb/status/689313704249143296

Bennett, who is training KPL, was kind enough to take time out of his day and talk to us about the aspiring NFL player.

“I played college football at Stephen F. Austin State, also I had a small stint with the (Washington) Redskins in ’96 and ’97,” Bennett explained. And resume of athletes he’s trained is rather impressive.

“I’ve personal trained several professional athletes,” Bennett explained. “Jonas Gray, Jamaal Charles, Ryan Grant for the Redskins; a lot of work with those guys I’ve prepared to get ready for the Combine.”

That’s exactly what he’s doing now with Pierre-Louis, getting the former Rams standout safety ready for his Pro Day, the NFL Scouting Combine and possibly the NFL Draft. KPL has been training with Bennett in Katy, Texas at Athletic Performance Lab. Currently, there are 15 young men training together, and his character has helped him standout.

“He is a very enthusiastic person,” Bennett said. “He has passion for life. You can just tell, man. He comes in with a big smile on his face. Ready to go. Wanting to get better.

“All the guys that are also here training, they just clicked with him,” Bennett continued. “He’s just one of those guys that has a magnetic personality. Kind of encourages guys when they could have done something better. I see that in him. He has a great personality, very encouraging.”

We enjoyed that enthusiasm, not only for football but for life, while covering him over the last four years as one of our favorite interviews.

Interestingly, “Hitman” told us in 2015 — during the season — he doesn’t like to get too hyped up before games. Instead, he likes to keep calm until he reaches the gridiron. That calm, coolness pre-game works for KPL, clearly, who brings ferocity to the field every time he laces up his cleats and straps on a helmet.

It’s not just that he’s a magnetic young man, he’s also got a great work ethic, as his trainer explained.

“And, a hard worker,” Bennett said. “He stays a little extra trying to get better at things that we’re working on. If he didn’t quite get it during the workout, he’ll come back and say, ‘I need to work a little harder on this. What can I do?'”

We saw that leadership on and off the field, especially the last two years, at Colorado State. So, really, this comes as no surprise. But, it’s also extremely important he maximizes his time training during this crucial period between his senior season and the NFL Draft.

At Athletic Performance Lab, KPL is working on Combine specific drills — 40-yard dash, cone drill, shuttle, vertical jump — as well as football work.

“We keep that technique sharp,” Bennett explained. “In the Pro Day they’re going to come out and see him do pass drops. And see how well he can turn and cover and go to the ball. How fast he can react on a play-action to the run. They want to see specific football movement.”

Of course, Kevin Pierre-Louis is already in the NFL. You may have heard his name on Sundays, playing for the Seattle Seahawks. But, we’re hoping there will be two Kevin Pierre-Louises in the NFL in 2016, whether that means he’s drafted or picked up by a team as an undrafted free agent.

What can KPL bring to an NFL team?

“He’s quick, he’s explosive, he has great size,” Bennett said. “All that’s going to translate onto the field for him. He’s definitely going to turn some heads when he gets an opportunity to show people how well he can run and how explosive he is.

“His most impactful thing is he’s able to make solid tackles,” KPL’s trainer continued. “He’s able to close fast on runs. He can break to the ball fast. He has a lot of range. He’s definitely intimidating as far as bringing the big hits, creating turnovers.”

And who does Pierre-Louis remind him of?

“He brings it. Kind of like an Earl Thomas type, the way he closes on the ball and comes out of nowhere to make that play and stop when you need it,” said Bennett.

Certainly, KPL’s hard-hitting ability and his intimidating presence are desired at the NFL level, where safeties are still enforcers on the gridiron. Those hard hits helped him create four fumbles the last three seasons, plus he possesses strong ball skills, picking off two passes as well.

Currently, there are seven former Colorado State players in the NFL. Two of them play for the Denver Broncos: Shaquil Barrett, Ty Sambrailo. The others are all over the league: Crockett Gillmore (Baltimore Ravens), Weston Richburg (New York Giants), Garrett Grayson (New Orleans Saints), Erik Pears (San Francisco 49ers) and Shelley Smith (Miami Dolphins).

The NFL Scouting Combine takes place Feb. 23-29. KPL has not yet received an invite, but Bennett is hopeful he will. “If not, he’ll be ready to put up some great numbers for his Pro Day,” Bennett said enthusiastically.

Finally, the NFL Draft takes place on April 28-30. Hopefully, Kevin Pierre-Louis’ name will be one of the lucky few to be called that weekend.