Making his first start, Kamryn Waites is still learning the game
LAS VEGAS — When Kamryn Waites enrolled at the University of Louisiana on a football scholarship he didn’t fit in — literally. Waites never played organized football in high school and when he arrived on campus in Lafayette, he couldn’t fit into any of the pads or gear that the program had.
“We had to custom order cleats, helmets, shoulder pads, all of his gear was custom made,” Florida coach Billy Napier told Gators Online on Friday. “When we say that he’s 6-8, 350-pounds, that’s how big he is.”
That isn’t a shot at UL. How many universities would have a size 20 cleat, which is what Waites wears, readily available on the shelf when a new freshman arrives?
The bigger story is how a really good AAU basketball player who didn’t play a snap of football in high school was found and offered a scholarship to play football.
Credit Florida running back coach Jabbar Juluke. He was at a football camp where Waites was in attendance to watch his brother. Juluke took notice, it’s hard to miss someone that size. When he asked if Waites played football, the answer was no. The next question was, why not?
Juluke, then the running backs coach at Louisiana under Napier, told his boss. The staff convinced Waites to give football a shot. This brings us to the awkward first impression of not having gear for him when he arrived.
“We took a flyer on a kid just based of the dimensions and athletic ability. We really taught the guy how to play football. That’s crazy to think,” Napier said on Friday.
Waites was quick to follow Napier to Florida
As a freshman in 2021, Waites saw action in three games while earning a redshirt. He made his collegiate debut against Texas State and then appeared in both of UL’s postseason games.
When Napier took the head coaching job at Florida, Waites wasn’t far behind. He was the first of three Ragin Cajuns that would trade Lafayette for Gainesville.
He’s appeared in every game this season primarily on special teams. Waites was primarily working as a tackle but the Gators’ staff made a switch to guard in-season. An opportunity opened with All-American O’Cyrus Torrence declaring for the draft and skipping the Las Vegas Bowl, along with backup Richie Leonard being unavailable to play with an injury.
Now, ready or not, Waites will get his first career start in the Las Vegas Bowl at right guard.
“He’s a smart player. He’s a fantastic AAU basketball player. A guy that I think has unbelievable potential.” Napier said. “He’s practiced well. I think he’s excited about the opportunity.”
