Rashad Kinlaw hasn’t even started his collegiate career yet, but the incoming Notre Dame cornerback already has a great appreciation for the game after missing the majority of his final two seasons at Absegami High School in Galloway, N.J.
“You can go down at any given second, on any play and you can be down and be out for weeks or months,” the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder said.
Kinlaw knows.
He broke his leg early in his junior season in 2011, but was back to full strength the next summer before suffering another broken leg while playing for Team USA.
“It was very frustrating,” he admitted. “I just don’t like sitting out.”
Kinlaw did return for a couple games at the end of his senior season, but is ready to move on at Notre Dame.
“That’s what I’m really waiting for, just getting back on the field to compete,” he said. “It’s been like two years.”
Kinlaw is pretty much finished with the rehabilitation process, but it won’t be fully complete until the Notre Dame medical staff gets the chance to check him out when he reports next week.
“I haven't really done much rehab lately,” he said. “I’ve just been running miles, getting my wind up and lifting a little. I will rehab much more when I touch down in South Bend on June 16th and get with the trainers.
“Everything feels good. I’m just getting my legs back stronger and my footwork right now.”
Kinlaw can’t wait to get to South Bend for good.
“I’m really excited to get up there so I can get the feel for things and get training and everything,” he said. “I just want to meet new people, get around new things, and experience some new stuff.”
And redshirting certainly isn’t in his plans at this point.
“I want to try to make special teams at least and then maybe get into some dime or nickel packages when they get extra DBs on the field,” he said.
“I just need to make sure when I’m there, I’m at the top of my game and not slacking off or being lazy or anything.”
And after being forced to sit out much of the last two seasons, slacking off is the last thing to expect from Kinlaw.