DITR – Kaiden Pierite

Photo courtesy of Kaiden Pierite

Kaiden Pierite is a 5’7″, 155 pound, class of 2025 Wide Receiver from Marksville High School in Marksville, Louisiana. Kaiden put up 4 catches for 16 yards last season for Marksville, but figures to play a much bigger role next season in the offense. In his limited action last season, which included starting for three games, Kaiden flashed great route running and the ability to get open often, and good hands… Kaiden guarantees that anything thrown his way will be caught, and not by the other team. he models his game after Stefon Diggs, a player who plays with similar traits. At Gridiron Football’s recent camp in Eunice, LA, Kaiden ran a 5.06 40-yard dash, a 4.72 second shuttle time, and jumped 7’6″ in the broad jump. Off the field, Kaiden has maintained a 3.1 GPA.

I recently had the chance to interview Kaiden:

Why and at what age did you start playing football?

“I started playing football at the age of 9… the reason I really wanted to play was because my older cousins. They were always practicing around my neighborhood, and I joined them every time, and we played against each other. And I fell in love with it.”

Have you always played your current position, or did you play a different position growing up?

“I’ve always played my current position, which is wide receiver. I always train with people older than me and I look up to them and learn from them.”

What sets you apart from everyone else on the field?

“My mindset sets me apart; whenever I play, everything goes quiet in my head, and I am focused on my job and doing it right.”

What is your favorite accomplishment so far in your football career?

“My favorite accomplishment is starting as a sophomore… whenever my coach called my name for the first time to get on the field… I felt so hyped but felt that I can’t mess up. So I did my job right and accomplished my goal of starting.”

What is your favorite memory playing football so far?

“My favorite memory is my teammates and I running out of the tunnel on a Friday night with the whole town behind us.”

How do you balance athletics and academics?

“Stay focused on what you’re doing. Do one thing at a time and don’t be lazy. Books always comes first.”

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced on the field?

“Reading coverage of the defense… to know how I’m gonna run this route.”

How do you stay physically fit outside of football?

“I go to my local gym, and I workout 4 days a week after football practice.”

What are you hoping to achieve in this upcoming season?

“Have a lot of receptions and yards… and get 1st team all district as a wide receiver.”

What is your end goal for your football career?

“Keep working… the grind don’t stop… until you’ve made it to your goal. Then whenever you make it to your goal, the next day you’re back to work.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned playing football?

“Fearlessness. And respect. I learned to have respect for the game. Football will never let you down.”

How do you prepare for big games?

“I put my headphones in and listen to some music… and watch a little film. Then I stretch good. Then it’s showtime.”

Lastly, who is the biggest role model in your life?

My mom and my dad. My mom is my biggest supporter; she is always at every game, even if it’s 3 hours away. She really doesn’t know the game, but she screams my name every time. She is the #1 tiger fan in Marksville. My dad is the one that is gonna tell me what I did and what I did wrong, but he does it with love and every time I look up at the stands, I just see him staring at me every second, knowing he wants me to make it and and would give me the world to make me make it.

My teammates… they are family and brothers that are gonna be by my side forever. And thank you for the coaches for training me at my best. And the most to thank is God; he is the one that has control of everything that happens. GO TIGERS.”

Photo courtesy of Kaiden Pierite
Photo courtesy of Gridiron Football
Photo courtesy of Kaiden Pierite