Spring football notebook No. 3 - Kevin Lazo feature

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Things didn't start well for Bryant University football player Kevin Lazo (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) when he arrived on campus as a freshman in August of 2014.

A few weeks into summer camp, Lazo injured his knee and would have to miss his entire true freshman season. Lazo took the injury in stride, attacked his rehab and came back the following August ready to contribute.

And contribute he has. Lazo has appeared in all 33 games since 2015, starting as one of Bryant's defensive tackles in each of the last 22 contests. This past fall, he was rewarded for his efforts as he was named to the All-NEC Second Team after posting 41 tackles, three sacks, 5.5 tackles for a loss, two fumble recoveries and four blocked kicks.

Lazo's play has not only captured the eye of opposing coaches, it has caught the attention of his own coaches and teammates. He was elected a team captain last fall, an honor that he feels is greatest of all.

"One of the best moments of my life was being elected captain of our team," Lazo said. "Not for having the 'C' on my chest or any perk like that. It is the respect of my teammates when they look at me and voted me their leader. To have a team that has my back, supports my leadership and notices what I do for this team, that means more to me than anything else in the world."

Controlled Chaos

The crowd of players and the bunching of the numbers makes it difficult at times to recognize a defensive lineman during the course of a game. That's not the case for Lazo.

At 6-1, 280, he's not easy to miss. But it's more than his size, it's the way he attacks the game of football. The energy and the passion make him standout as if he was eight feet tall.

"I want people to see that I give 100% no matter what the situation may be on the field," Lazo said. "I think my style of play would be what I like to call, controlled chaos. You have to be aggressive to be effective and dominate the opponent in front of you."

Lazo has dominated his fair share of games the last three years. He made seven tackles at No. 15 Coastal Carolina in 2016 and then finished his redshirt junior year with a sack in each of the last three games.

Black and Gold

Lazo is currently completing his eighth semester on campus. In doggie years, it seems as if he's been here for much longer.

He's ingrained himself to this University and on this campus with his on-field performance, as well as his leadership off the field.

And now, with the final spring practice on the horizon, Lazo and the Bulldogs are quickly approaching the fall season. With it comes one more opportunity to represent Bryant and to wear the Black and Gold proud, something that Lazo will always cherish.

"There is nothing more I take pride in than being out there and representing our University," Lazo said. "Not only on the field, but I hold myself to a high standard in the classroom because of what the Black and Gold means to me. Being able to put on that jersey and hear the fans cheering us on as we play the game we love, that is the pinnacle of what college football is all about."