Trainer: Ademilola Twins Ahead Of Difficult Learning Curve

When Peter Kafaf started working with Jayson and Justin Ademilola, they were immature kids.

Talented and fun kids to be around, but immature.

Plenty has changed between the time Kafaf began training the boys a couple years back and their enrollment at Notre Dame last month.

“They’re grown up,” says Kafaf, a defensive line guru in the New York/New Jersey area.

“They’re big boys and they’re ready to take the next step and make the transition to college ball. It’s a big step.”

Kafaf first worked with Jayson.

“I didn’t work with Justin because I really didn’t do linebackers,” Kafaf says. “Jayson was a quiet kid. He learned, he was OK. Physically, he was not very impressive. His body was very tight. His hips were very tight, he was just tight. We spent the offseason loosening him up and once we did, he exploded.

“Then, Justin joined in the following year. They were a couple of knuckleheads. They were bickering with each other and messing with each other. They were lovable and fun, but they were just teenagers. Before they went off to Notre Dame, I saw their potential and really drilled them very hard mentally and kind of knocked that childishness out of them. I said if you want to work with me, you’re going to suck it up or you’re going to be out of here. They took that seriously.”

The serious dedication resulted in major results for the Ademilolas at St. Peter’s Prep and Kafaf believes they’re set up for future success in South Bend.

“Their senior years, they were highly, highly impressive,” Kafaf says. “Jayson was the most technically sound kid ever to come out of my gym.”

Considering Kafaf has trained guys like current Michigan star Rashan Gary and Garrett Sickels, who is now with the Los Angeles Rams after a successful career at Penn State.

“Rashan was probably a better package with his physical abilities and was right there with Jayson, but Jayson had started to create a little bit more,” Kafaf says. “Because he played inside in a little bit of a tougher neighborhood, he really beat some kids. He went to The Nike Opening and came in the top five and nobody knew who he was. He was beating kids with moves that were just stunning.

“Rashan was beating kids with great moves, but it was also coupled with his physical ability. His moves were an A and I’d say Jayson’s were probably an A+.”

Kafaf believes that technique is going to lead to Jayson seeing the field immediately.

“He may be on the third rotation,” Kafaf guesses. “That’s probably what I expect him, but that’s up to the coaches. From a technical standpoint and the position he’s playing I do (expect him to play).

“Jayson is going to throw some people some fits this year. He really understands the game incredibly well for a kid coming out of high school. He’s crafting his own game. He’s taken what he’s learned and made it his own. He’s going to adapt to the college game. I’m really confident he’s going to stay ahead of the curve.”

Having a headstart won’t help Jayson reach any sort of finish line, but it should help him stay ahead of the competition, according to Kafaf.

“He’s heading into college two years ahead of any other kid on that d-line and he’s going to stay two years ahead, so when they’re learning what he knows in two years, he’ll be perfecting his craft,” Kafaf continues. “It never ends, watch Aaron Donald. The journey never ends. I’m working with Garrett Sickles, who plays with the Rams. We’re constantly talking technique and subtleties of technique. He’s six years past working with me and we’re still refining his technique.

“Justin and Jayson are going to know what they want out of their technique and they’re going to apply it and based on the situation, be able to build on different wrinkles in their attack when the other kids are just trying to learn what the heck to do. In this game, you never peak. You never learn it all. No one in the sport of football ever learns it all.”

Kafaf says Justin may need “a little more time” to make an impact but expects that impact to ultimately be made.

“I think he has the same ability, but with the nature of the position he’s going to play, I think the learning curve is going to be a little more challenging,” says Kafaf. “He’ll get it, but any kid making the transition from high school to college going to the linebacker position or rush end position, it’s a lot to handle both physically and mentally; understanding the scheme of the offense, the tendencies.

“They may play him situationally, but that’s more of a coaching thing.”

Kafaf says the Irish know what they’re looking for and will know exactly how to use Justin.

“He’s a very intelligent young man,” Kafaf adds. “He’s surprisingly grown a little bit in the last year, so he can handle the position physically. I have no doubt he can handle it physically. It’s really just the learning curve and I would say that about any kid coming out of high school.”

Kafaf continues working with guys throughout their college career and beyond and looks forward to doing the same with the Ademilola brothers in the years to come.

“That’s the joy of doing this, when the big boys come back from college and NFL, it shows you that what you’re doing is having a little bit of an impact.”