Oklahoma State University Athletics
How I Got Here: Kris Catlin
February 24, 2014 | Cowboy Football
Feb. 24, 2014
STILLWATER - Okstate.com's "How I Got Here" is a series that asks Oklahoma State football players to detail their football background and careers and how they got to where they are now. Today's edition features linebacker Kris Catlin from San Antonio, Texas.
On where he got his start in football
“I got my start in football from my parents. Both my mom and dad pushed me to get into sports early. Actually, I started off as a chubby kid and they wanted me to stay active to lose the pounds. Then, I was actually pretty good at it and that's how I'm here now. I played Pop Warner and from there kept progressing.”
On the transition into the linebacker position
“I think the transition started in middle school when my coach asked if I wanted to try something new. They thought I would be more versatile at the linebacker position so I started playing both sides of the ball. He said he liked what I was doing at the linebacker position and I have been playing linebacker since that day.”
On his high school career
“My high school career was great. I started off as a freshman playing freshman ball. The coaches saw something in me that they hadn't seen in a while. They moved me up in the spring and I had the chance to play on varsity as a sophomore for three years for Jim Streety in San Antonio. It was a good experience. My sophomore year, we made the semifinals and I was the youngest one on the field and got to start. I gained a lot of knowledge from the guys ahead of me on the team and all the seniors who took me under their wing.”
On why he chose OSU
“It was more of a family thing. The coaches were all in and they really cared about me as a person. They were the first school to show interest. They heard about me when I made varsity as a sophomore and Coach Spencer started sending me mail. They really felt like a family and it was about the players, not just about winning.”
On his favorite part of being a Cowboy
“My favorite part has been the team camaraderie. All the guys together are basically a family. It's like I didn't leave home because this feels like home right now. We're just a big family and everyone gets along with each other. I know for some teams even in my high school career, it wasn't like that. I feel like everybody here is just a big group even with the students on campus. We're just there for each other.”
On the most surprising part of playing at the collegiate level
“The speed of the game surprised me. You see it on TV, but until you get in the mix you realize that these guys are really fast and big.”
On his father's influence as a former college athlete
“I feel like my dad had my back since day one. He actually helped me get here. He knows the ins and outs and what coaches expect at this level. I feel like him being on my side and pointing me in the right direction keeps me out of trouble. He knows the distractions that come with playing at the next level. I feel like him going through that really helped.”
On what he likes most about playing linebacker
“I like Coach Spencer. He's all about winning. At this stage of my life, that's all I want to do as well. He has a great plan so it's always nice for that. My teammates are really down to earth. It's a nice core group of guys that really click and it's like a brotherhood. Coach Spencer really helps us connect and keep us on the same page so we can fight for one another.”
