Kaydin Pope and his faith in work ethic
SAVANNAH, Tenn. (BVM) — From a young age, Kaydin Pope knew he was destined to have a shot to play college football. In his eighth grade year, Pope led his middle school team to an 8-0 record, making the All-West Tennessee game in the process.
Amongst the best talent in the area, Pope shined and took home the offensive MVP.
“I knew if I kept working, I could do way more than that,” Pope said. “That was my first big accomplishment in football.”
Now a high school junior at Hardin County High School in Savannah, Tenn., Pope has become a top recruit and is the No. 22 ranked prospect in the state according to 247 Sports.
Going into the 2020 season, the Tigers were expecting to accomplish big things. Alongside Pope in the receiving core, was senior tight end and Ole Miss commit, Hudson Wolfe.
Prior to the season, Wolfe was dealing with some back issues that would hold him out for the start of the season. After missing the first three games, Wolfe elected to have surgery, resulting in the end of his senior year.
“He would’ve been a big part of it,” Pope said. “My mindset about it was he’s not gonna play, so we’ve got to do our best without him.”
Pope made the best of the situation and had a breakout season eclipsing over 1,500 all-purpose yards and 14 total touchdowns, earning him a spot on the Class 4A all-state team. This was good enough to help the Tigers to an 11-3 record, making it all the way to the district quarter-final game in which they lost 21-20 to Lexington High School.
Pope’s primary goal for his team is to lead them back next year and win a state title. One way he plans on doing this is by accomplishing some of his individual goals.
“I want to play more positions this year offensively,” Pope said. “I want to have 10,000 all-purpose yards or more.”
While trying to become more versatile for the collegiate level, Pope is also looking at improving on the fundamentals at the wide receiver position.
“I want to improve my release, so I can go up against the best corners in the nation for when I get to college,” Pope said.
In order to make it to the next level, Pope believes that it takes a certain mindset, which he says he has.
“I try to work more than I think anyone else is working,” Pope said. “I believe that if you work hard on anything that you want, you can make it happen.”
Pope is pairing this mentality with the opportunity to be surrounded by elite talent and coaching. Pope’s personal trainer is Terrell Beane, the uncle of former University of South Carolina standout and projected first-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft, Jaycee Horn.
This past season with the Gamecocks, Horn recorded 16 tackles, one tackle for a loss, two interceptions and six pass deflections in seven games before opting-out of the remainder of the year. He was named to the All-SEC second team.
Throughout many workout sessions together, Pope and Horn have developed a very good relationship.
“He’s like a big brother to me,” Pope said. “I can hit him up anytime whether it’s about working out or about the recruiting process.”
Pope also has connections within his own family. Pope’s cousin, Latrell Bumphus, is a defensive lineman at the University of Tennessee, who is taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility from the NCAA, to become a fifth-year senior for the upcoming season. Bumphus has become someone that Pope can rely on for advice about going through the journey of being a coveted high school prospect.
“He keeps it honest about everything,” Pope said. “He tells me to not let people influence me and to go wherever is best for me.”
With all that Pope has achieved on the field, he prides himself most in who he has become off the field.
“I think my biggest accomplishment is becoming a great young man,” Pope said. “I’m also proud of working so hard to be in the position to go to college.”
