‘Speak softly and carry a big stick’ seems to be the formula for Tiger-Cats defensive lineman Drake Nevis.
Football doesn’t require the use of a stick, but Nevis won’t ever be mistaken for a small guy at 6’2” and 285 pounds, and he isn’t the type to talk your ear off.
Yet while Nevis prefers to do his talking with his on-field play, teammates and coaches are more than willing to speak highly of the CFL rookie.
“He’s an intelligent young man,” said defensive line coach Dennis McPhee, “and he’s been blessed with a great first step and a great get-off.”
Nevis, a native of Louisiana, has been a talented football player for a long time. At John Ehret High School he was a defensive force, building up a resume that earned him All-State honours and recognition as one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the country.
After high school, Nevis stayed in Louisiana, attending Louisiana State University (LSU) in the Fall of 2007. At Division-I college level, he continued to build an impressive resume, contributing to the defence in all four seasons he was there, and blossoming into a star in his senior season.
In 2010, Nevis’ senior season at LSU, he was touted as one of the best defensive linemen in the NCAA, compiling 56 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss and six sacks on the country’s top defensive unit.
Out of LSU, Nevis was selected in the third round of the NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts, where he played the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Following his stint with the Colts, Nevis spent time with four other NFL teams, registering a total of 50 tackles over the length of his stay at the NFL level.
Now, in his first shot north of the border, Nevis is learning how to adapt to the nuances of three down football. He got his first taste of game action on Monday night, including a feel for the increased tempo of the Canadian game.
“It was good to get a feel for the tempo, get a feel for the lower play clock and just get a feel for the game,” said Nevis.
There are a number of differences in the way defensive linemen operate in the Canadian game, explained Tiger-Cat defensive end Justin Hickman, who has spent his own share of time in both the NFL and CFL.
“Being a yard off the ball, the shades, it changes your pass rush,” said Hickman, “it changes your timing, you’ve got to throw your move a step later…it’s a lot of little things that can either make that transition hard or easy depending on how fast you pick it up.”
Familiar, friendly faces
According to his teammates on the line and coach McPhee, Nevis is picking up on these nuances quickly, undoubtedly due at least in part to his friendship with Hickman.
Hickman and Nevis were teammates with the Indianapolis Colts, and Hickman was one of his first calls for information about what to expect in the CFL.
“He [Hickman] told me a lot about the game way before I came up here,” said Nevis, “it was good to know a lot of people who’ve been through the trenches in Canada.
Hickman is not the only familiar face in Hamilton for Nevis— LSU teammate Terrence Toliver is also making the transition to the Canadian game on the offensive side of the ball — and he is not the only one aiding in his development.
A number of the Ticats’ veterans have made it easier on him, but coach McPhee said that it was Bryan Hall who has really taken Nevis under his wing since he arrived.
“It’s a good marriage, to be behind Bryan,” said coach McPhee, “Bryan’s been a great tutor to him and has helped me help him.”
Hall was in Nevis’ shoes just one year ago, making the Canadian changeover on the Ticats’ defensive line. With a year under his belt, Hall said that it’s easy to relate to the first-year lineman, adding that he’s been very impressed with what he’s seen so far in camp.
“He’s coming in and working hard,” said Hall, “he’s been humble, he’s been listening to coaching and he’s been doing a great job of responding to what he’s been taught.”
Championship experience
Nevis’ addition to the defensive line provides the unit with high-end depth, which will be important with the pace of the game increasing in 2015; physical prowess and pass-rushing skill are not the only things that Nevis brings to the Ticats’ line though.
Along with his physical attributes, Nevis brings championship experience to a team in pursuit of their own championship. In 2007, the LSU Tigers were SEC Champions, claiming the divisional title in one of the top college conferences.
A year later, Nevis was part of the same LSU team that managed to take one extra step to win the BCS National Championship. Now, Nevis hopes to be a difference-maker as the Ticats look to conquer that one final step in their pursuit of a Grey Cup.
“I’m definitely comfortable with the scheme and the players,” said Nevis, “I knew a lot of players coming up here and it was good to be welcomed in.”