NEW PALESTINE — Several years ago, Kyle King made a promise. It was a big one.
Before he even got to high school, he told one of his biggest fans — his grandfather, Bub Renfro — that he would go on to play Division 1 college football.
Renfro had been to all of King’s games ever since he started playing tackle football when he was just 4 years old. He saw a talented player with a bright future. He loved watching his grandson play, just as much as his grandson loved having him there.
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“He was always at my football games when I was younger,” King said. “Whether it was Warren Central Little League or New Palestine Cadet Football League, he was there supporting me. He was my motivation to always play to my best ability, just so I could come off the field and be greeted by one of his hugs.”
His grandfather never got the chance to see King’s promise come to fruition. Months before King started high school, his grandfather passed away after a battle with cancer. Bub Renfro didn’t get a chance to see King play in high school, didn’t get to see him excel for the New Palestine Dragons and win the 2018 Class 5A state championship.
That promise from three years ago was incredibly important to the Dragons’ standout. Just days before Renfro passed in May 2016, King had asked his family to leave the room so he could be with his grandfather alone. He said his final goodbyes and told his grandpa that he would play Division 1 football in his honor.
He made sure to keep that promise. Shortly after his junior year ended, after countless offers and visits, he made his choice.
He didn’t just pick a D1 school; he picked a B1G one, choosing to continue his football career as a member of the Michigan State Spartans.
“You know, when you think about big-time football, one of the teams that you mention is Michigan State,” King said. “I know year-in and year-out, they’re one of the top defensive teams in the nation. I want to make my mark somewhere. I want to play big-time football somewhere.”
A two-way player at New Palestine, the Spartans recruited King to play strong side defensive end and join a defensive line that is ranked No. 1 in the nation according to College Football Rankings. Five Michigan State defensive ends have been selected in the NFL Draft in the past 20 years, and 25 total Spartans defenders have been chosen in that time.
Though they finished 7-6 a year ago, Michigan State is one of college football’s premier programs, with three Big Ten titles in the past nine years and bowl game appearances 11 of the past 12 years.
They weren’t the first school to make an offer to King, but once they did, he knew it was too good to pass up. He had offers from roughly two dozen schools, including Indiana and Purdue.
“The thing about Michigan State, the way they play defense and what their defense stands for I think really sucked him in,” New Palestine coach Kyle Ralph said. “They take a lot of pride in that. They were the best defense last year in the Big Ten. Their defense was on the field all game, every game, and they still had the best defense out there.”
King picked up an offer almost immediately after meeting Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio. He was already having a good visit, so once the offer was presented, it wasn’t a big surprise to Ralph or Kyle’s mother, Crystal Renfro, that King would eventually choose the Spartans.
His mother had been on numerous visits with him, but that one was different. It had more of a small-town feel, she said, and something that stood out to both her and her son was how genuine and passionate the coaching staff was about developing great young men, on and off the field.
“When we went into Coach Dantonio’s office, he gave Kyle the offer as soon as we sat down,” Renfro said. “The one thing that stood out to me was how he explained to Kyle that he wanted him to take his time with his decision, and when he was ready he had a committable offer at any time. Not putting any pressure on him and also telling him you will know when you find your home. All the staff was just down to earth and so easy to talk to and ask questions. I saw a spark in Kyle’s eyes all throughout the visit. I knew if they offered, this would be home.”
Ralph knew, too. When the visit ended and King was in the passenger seat of a car heading back to Hancock County, he was texting his coach.
He told Ralph that everything about the Spartans program reminded him of New Palestine, from the development, to the blue-collar physicality, to how they run their strength program.
“I was obviously really honored when he said that, but when he said that to me, I thought there was no way he wasn’t going there,” Ralph said.
King said he always figured he would play college football. What he didn’t know is just how high of a level he would be playing at. He thought he’d probably end up at a Division 3 school. He wasn’t expecting the huge level of attention and interest he got following a junior year that saw him named Hancock County co-Defensive Player of the Year and selected to the IFCA Junior All-State team.
After a season that saw King rack up an Indiana-leading 18 sacks and 26 tackles for a loss, eyes were opened. Ball State offered first.
A bunch of schools quickly followed suit.
“It’s very exciting. If you asked me a year ago if I ever saw myself going to Michigan State, I wouldn’t even have had a response,” King said. “I wouldn’t have even thought of this a year ago. When I got my first offer, I thought that was big-time. Then you wait a few months … there’s no way you can pass up on something like that. I’m very blessed. This means everything to me.”
He’s still got a year left at New Palestine, and he has big goals. That starts with a conference championship and ends with what he hopes is another trip to state.
While he enjoyed the recruiting experience, he’s not upset to see it end so he can focus on his senior year of high school. His family has another chance to come together and watch him play while he’s still close to home.
His promise fulfilled, King can focus on playing the game he loves in memory of his grandfather.
“Kyle loves football, don’t get me wrong, but he is doing this for him,” his mom said. “That is what makes watching him so much more exciting and emotional. I always think how excited and extremely proud (Bub) would be if he was here with us going through all of this.”
“My grandpa was a man that everyone loved. He was one to be the friend of anyone he met,” King said. “My Pap was a great man and always treated my Nana well. He is the man I will always push myself to become. It means the world to me to fulfill my promise. He was my world, so it means everything to me.”
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“You know, when you think about big-time football, one of the teams that you mention is Michigan State. I know year-in and year-out, they’re one of the top defensive teams in the nation. I want to make my mark somewhere. I want to play big-time football somewhere.” – Kyle King
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