Recruiting Spotlight: TE/DE Buddy Kyle, Northlake Christian
by Jace LeJeune
For today’s recruiting article, we focused on another talented TE/DE, but this one comes from the North Shore-Tangipahoa area in Northlake Christian’s Buddy Kyle. Like Nicholas Slusher from Cedar Creek, Kyle is another talented player, who can play not only tight end, but can also excel at defensive end. He is not as big as Slusher, but Kyle has great hands and has great speed as well. Kyle is very athletic and can make plays with the ball in his hands, but in order to be considered a complete tight end, that player has to be a good blocker. Kyle also fits that mold. He is a good blocker and is very unselfish as well. He does not have mind blowing stats but so do a lot of great tight ends. However, he was named 1st Team All-District in his junior and senior year. He even was recognized on our 2nd Team All-Louisiana list of players as a tight end. This is a very underrated player who is still looking for a place to play college football. His dream school is to play for the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Football Magazine Editor and T.V. Host Lee Brecheen has actually compared him to a former LSU Tight End Richard Dixon because of what he can do as a receiver and a blocker. He even believes that he can play fullback as well. This is what else he had to say about the talented player from Northlake Christian.
“I saw Buddy Kyle play in 2015, and I thought he was a big time blocker,” Brecheen said. “He also has some D-I hands and can run really well. He is a very underrated player for college. Stats never define a TE for upside for college. However, most TE’s don’t get the ball a lot in High School, and this would be the case with Kyle.”
In today’s recruiting spotlight, we caught up with the senior tight end from Northlake Christian as he talks about his high school career, his dream school to play for, hobbies after football season, and much more!
LAFM: What is your name, age, position, and school you play for?
I am Franklin Mckenzie Kyle (everyone just calls me Buddy), 18 years old, tight end and defensive end, and I play for Northlake Christian School in Covington LA.
LAFM: What is your height and weight?
6’2, 225
LAFM: What is your ACT score and GPA?
ACT Score: 23, GPA: 3.3
LAFM: What is your max bench press, squat max, 40 yard time, and vertical?
Max Bench: 250, Max Squat: 375, 40 yard time: 4.7
LAFM: What are your accomplishments on the football field over your career?
I was 1st team All-District at Tight End in my junior and senior year, and was also named 2nd team All-Louisiana.
LAFM: What are your strengths as a football player?
I am a good blocking tight end, and I can keep the edge on defense.
LAFM: What are some areas to your game that you want to improve on when you get to college?
I need to work on my speed and agility inside the tackles and hit the gym.
LAFM: What are your top schools as of right now?
LSU and University of Texas San Antonio
LAFM: What are some things that you look at when you look at colleges?
When I look at colleges, I want to make sure that my education will not suffer due to athletics.
LAFM: Let’s talk about the season. The team had a good regular season, but the team had to face a very tough Notre Dame team that is one of the best teams in the state. What are your thoughts on your senior season as a whole?
The season was a success in my eyes. We were two bad halves away form having a 9-1 regular season, and we beat teams that we haven’t beaten before. I had fun with my teammates and coaches. I couldn’t have asked for a better senior season.
LAFM: What was the best game that you have played while at Northlake Christian and why?
My best offensive game of the season was the first one of this season against Capitol High School because I caught two touchdowns. My best defensive game was against Springfield because I had around 8 TFL’s.
LAFM: What is an interesting fact that our readers don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know that my full name is Franklin Mckenzie Kyle IV not just Buddy.
LAFM: What do you like to do when the football season is over?
When the football season is over, I like to relax for a week or two and then I start to get ready for baseball season.
LAFM: You were named to our 2nd team All-Louisiana team at the beginning of the season. What does that mean for you, in your own words, to be mentioned as one of the best players in the state at your position?
It is a great honor for me to be named 2nd team All-Louisiana. I did not know what to expect after I did not play my Sophomore year, but I am definitely glad I did.
LAFM: What is your pregame routine?
My pregame routine does not include a lot of music like most people. I just envision myself making the clutch play in a tight situation and knowing that I can do it.
LAFM: Who are some people that you want to thank for putting you in the position that you are in today?
I definitely want to thank my parents for supporting me by coming to all my games and getting me the things I needed to succeed. I also want to thank my close friends for convincing me to play football again and making my football experience so enjoyable.
LAFM: Is there anybody in your family that has played high school, college, or even pro football?
My dad and grandpa played football in high school.
LAFM: What is the dream college that you always wanted to play football for and why?
My dream college to play at is LSU because I grew up watching them, and I love the atmosphere in Death Valley.
LAFM: Why should college coaches consider you to play for their program?
If a college coach were to choose me to play at their school, I believe it would be because of my hard work and team comradery.
