Kyle Louis, LB
School: University of Pittsburgh | Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22 (Week 1)
Height / Weight: 6’0” / 224 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 3rd-4th Round
Player Comparison: Lavonte David / Jerome Baker / Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
College Statistics
| Tackles | Def Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Comb | TFL | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | IntTD | PD | FR | Yds | FRTD | FF | Awards |
| 2022* | Pitt | ACC | FR | LB | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2023 | Pitt | ACC | FR | LB | 9 | 5 | 14 | 19 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2024* | Pitt | ACC | SO | LB | 13 | 45 | 56 | 101 | 15.5 | 7.0 | 4 | 68 | 17.0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2025* | Pitt | ACC | JR | LB | 11 | 43 | 38 | 81 | 8.5 | 3.0 | 2 | 21 | 10.5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | -2 | 0 | 1 | |
| Career | 37 | 93 | 108 | 201 | 25.5 | 10.0 | 6 | 89 | 14.8 | 1 | 6 | 2 | -2 | 0 | 2 | |||||
Player Overview
Kyle “Shark” Louis was a 3-star recruit from East Orange Campus High School (New Jersey). He redshirted his freshman year and played sparingly until his junior season. In his junior year, he broke out with an All-ACC, All-American caliber season, totaling 101 total tackles, 15.5 for loss, 7.0 sacks, 3 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 4 interceptions (1 returned for a touchdown). The following season received additional acclaim with 81 total tackles, 8.5 for loss, 2 interceptions, 3 pass defended, and 1 forced fumble.
Kyle Louis is a speedy, athletic playmaker who thrives in space. He is comfortable tagging along receivers, running backs, and wide receivers. Louis has tremendous sideline-to-sideline burst, even topping out at 21 mph recorded play speed. Louis has the ball skills and instinct to make plays around the ball.
One of the few issues that could affect Shark’s draft stock and playing time is his size. He is listed between 215-225 pounds and plays like it. While he is willing to engage in the teeth of the play, he finds himself moved around by lead blockers or overpowered by stronger backs. He loses more momentum in his power when he gets caught up in option plays or caught up in a crowd.
Kyle Louis profiles as a coverage linebacker who is versatile enough to play multiple roles at the pro-level. Optimists view him as a future three-down linebacker. Pessimists believe Louis will need to switch to safety to make an NFL roster. But what Kyle lacks in ideal build and strength, he makes up for with speed and instincts. Kyle Louis can be a core part of a defensive scheme that allows him to operate in space and win with speed.
Awards & Recognition
- Senior Bowl Participant
- First Team All-ACC (2024)
- Second Team All-American (2024, 2025)
- Second Team All-ACC (2025)
Strengths
- Very comfortable dropping into pass coverage. Able to cover a lot of ground.
- Great ball skills for a linebacker.
- Able to keep up with tight ends and receivers in seams.
- Highly productive.
- Reads and reacts well to the play diagnosis.
- Great burst when pursuing runs.
- Sideline to sideline speed, able to be effective in perimeter runs.
- Reliable open tackler in space.
Weaknesses
- Too often caught up in RPO (Run-Pass Option)
- Undersized for the position. Some do not believe he can add much play weight.
- Does not hold up well against blocks (lead or at the line of scrimmage)
- Needs more lower power generation into his tackles.
- Can get lost in the midst of a crowded play.
Let’s See His Work
Interviews
How He Fits on the Commanders
The entire defense needs an overhaul. It is unknown if the Commanders will keep Bobby Wagner, or if new coordinator Daronte Jones feels Frankie Luvu is part of the team’s future. Washington has drafted linebackers in the past two drafts deep into Day 3 only playing sparingly.
Kyle Louis brings a plug-and-play option who has the potential to be an every down linebacker. He is able to be an asset in pass and coverage, where his speed and coverage skills complement the veteran linebackers on the roster. If the defensive staff believes Louis can add play strength and allow him to work in place, he can be a value selection for the defense. For a defensive roster in need of reconstruction and foundation players, Louis can carve himself a niche as a three-down coverage linebacker for the Commanders.