Drake Nevis Takes Pride in Blending Faith with Football
No. 1 defense.
That’s the phrase LSU’s defensive players wore on their eye black last season to show their opponents what they were about to face. They wanted to be the best defense in the country.
After falling short last year, the goal is the same this season, except the Tigers don’t need eye black to prove it. The numbers speak for themselves. Through the first three games this season, LSU had grabbed five interceptions to go along with 11 sacks while allowing only 11.3 points per game.
The LSU defense is well on its way to No. 1, starting with the talented defensive line, which is anchored by a senior defensive tackle from Marrero, La., Drake Nevis.
At 6’2″, 285 pounds, Nevis is a menacing presence up front. And three years ago, someone knew he would be.
In 2007 former LSU great and current Kansas City Chief Glenn Dorsey said Nevis was going to be the next great defensive tackle at LSU. As a freshman, Nevis used those words of encouragement to drive his work ethic throughout his career.
“I paid attention to every little thing [Dorsey] did and he helped me out a lot,” Nevis said. “I’m fortunate enough to play behind a great football player. I want to make him proud as well as make myself proud.”
Nevis should be proud. Through the first three games of this season he had better statistics than Dorsey did through the first three games of 2007, which hasn’t gone unnoticed by LSU head coach Les Miles.
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“I think he is playing stronger and quicker,” Miles said. “He is everything that we would want, we don’t like going against him in practice when we put our offensive line in front of him.”
Being one of the most experienced veterans on the defense, Nevis’ teammates look up to him just as he looked up to Dorsey. One in particular is cornerback Patrick Peterson.
“[Nevis] is one of the first guys I looked up to when I got here,” Peterson said. “He’s just so laid back and ready to play football. It kind of reminds me of myself a little bit.”
Nevis appreciates the respect his teammates like Peterson give him.
“Even though he’s so popular and high profile, [Peterson] always listens to me and takes my advice because I’m looking out for his best interests,” Nevis explained.
Nevis is not only looking out for his fellow Tigers’ best interests on the field, but in the classroom as well.
“I try to be an example to my younger teammates by going to every class,” Nevis said. “I can count on one hand how many classes I’ve missed and it’s really paid off.”
The payoff to which Nevis is referring is a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies that he will receive in December. With his degree in hand, he will have graduated in just 3 ½ years.
“I consider school important to me,” Nevis said. “I came in with a goal to graduate in 3 ½ years so I try to honor my word and my goal. I told my parents I was going to come here to play football and I was going to get my degree.”
How can a dedicated football player and full-time student manage that? According to Nevis, it is a blessing.
“It took a lot of prayer because I know I couldn’t have done it on my own,” he said. “It’s challenging and it keeps you busy.”
Nevis cites LSU marketing professor Dr. Tommy Karam as someone who has helped him along the way.
Along with his teaching duties, Dr. Karam facilitates media training with student athletes. He used to be just another teacher, but after the past summer he is someone Nevis considers a mentor.
“He’s a very experienced guy and I’m just fortunate to be mentored by him,” Nevis said. “I appreciate everything he does. He’s a wizard in marketing people and he helped me make myself more marketable.”
Not only is Nevis appreciative of Dr. Karam, but also for what his faith has done for him.
“The Lord has blessed me so much,” he said. “The least I can for him is just try to obey and try to encourage others to make sure we are all on the straight and narrow path.”
Peterson has been quoted as calling Nevis “the church guy on this team.” He holds a bible study at his apartment every Monday night that is open to anyone who is willing to share their faith. There is a weekly lesson along with pizza for a snack.
Because Nevis considers himself very spiritual, he looks up to other athletes who radiate their faith.
“I like most of the Christian athletes who really take time and give God the glory because that’s one thing that just makes my day,” he said.
His main man? Former NFL All-Pro defensive end Reggie White.
“Reggie White is one of my favorite football players because like myself he was very spiritual and that’s one thing I look up to,” Nevis added.
White is also the reason he wears No. 92, a number that has been called quite often since the 2010 season began. Through the first three games Nevis already had 3.5 sacks and an interception to his name. But he doesn’t just credit himself with his notable performance.
“I just thank God for giving me the opportunity to play in his name,” he said. “I just have to stay humble and stay focused on the goals that the team has.”
According to defensive end Sam Montgomery, being humble is what Nevis is known for.
“He gets people hyped and ready to go in the game, but on the field he’s just so humble,” Montgomery said. “I think that’s the thing I like best about Drake. He has so much class. If you were to meet him on the street you wouldn’t even know that he played football. He doesn’t talk about it and just stays really humble. He plays hard in games and then goes to church on Sunday morning.”
Although humble, Nevis isn’t all work and no play.
“A lot of people who know me know that I like to joke a lot,” he said. “I’m just a guy who brings a lot of fun everyday, always smiling, and always has a joke. A lot of people tell me when their day is going down they look to me to cheer them up.”
When it comes to Nevis’ future, there’s no clowning around. His goal after receiving his degree is to play professional football, but he has an off-the-field goal as well.
“Outside of football I would like to be a mentor in the community and teach or coach,” Nevis said. “Whichever way I can positively impact an individual’s life, that’s what I would love to do.”
It’s not his impact on the field, but the impact on his team that Nevis wants to be remembered for.
“Football is important but spirituality is more important,” Nevis said. “I took things seriously. I was serious about my school work and football as well as being unselfish and just trying to make everyone better around me. I just want to be remembered as someone who made his teammates around him better players and better people as well.”