Kelvin Lea is a 2021 recruit from Destrehan High School in Destrehan, La. The 5’8 180 pound defensive back has drawn comparisons to Super Bowl Champion and former LSU DB Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu. Working mostly inside the box, Lea uses his speed to blitz off the edge where he excels in pass rush. He is either sacking the quarterback or affecting the timing of the throw in some way to get them out of their rhythm when he is on the field. Lea was a tremendous tackler for the Wildcats racking up 65 total tackles with 11 TFLs. His quickness and reaction are what give opposing coordinators fits as he can play side line to side line in the run game and drop into coverage and cover receivers five or six inches taller than him.
When did you start playing football?
I started playing football when I was like six or seven, for Mike Miley in Metairie it was tackle football. I played up a level after my first season, they moved me up. So like, after my first season I was playing with eight and nine year olds when I was six and seven.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
I played basketball, I played AAU, and some travel ball. I was the shooting guard.
Did you play any other positions growing up or were you always a safety?
I actually moved to safety my sophomore year. I played running back my whole life, the reason I started playing safety my sophomore year was because we had a lot of guys at running back. I saw an opportunity at safety and I made the switch. But, don’t be surprised if you see me at the running back spot this year for Destrehan.
Looking back at this previous season, what were your goals?
Just to be vocal on the defense. Our defense was young, so I just wanted to kind of lead them in the right way and be vocal.
Who would you say some of your biggest influences are?
My pops, my brother. They always push me, they always push me to go hard to be better regardless.
Who would you say is your favorite NFL player?
Tyrann Mathieu, the Honey Badger. I feel like I model my game after him. We have very similar playing styles.
What do you feel motivates you the most?
My size, people always say size matters and I always keep that in the back of my head. But I don’t want that to define me, because I know that size doesn’t really matter. I also just want to get back to the Dome and run it.
Speaking of keeping things in the back of your mind, do you think attitude is a factor in winning?
Absolutely! Yes, you always have to have a positive attitude. A positive attitude keeps you hungry when you are playing football. You can’t have a bad attitude no one will let you on the field.
On a scale of 1-10 what would be your ideal game day performance?
Like a nine or ten, I try to play my best every game.
At the end of this coming season, what would you like your coaches and teammates to say about you?
That I did the little things right, that I pushes others. That I gave my all. That I was a leader on and off the field.
If you weren’t playing football, what sport do you think you would be playing?
Basketball.
