STANFORD, Calif. - A leader in the middle of the Stanford defense, senior inside linebacker Kevin Palma has grown into a model both on and off the field. In 2016 he was among the defensive front seven leaders in tackles, while he is also tackling an engineering major in architectural design.
The story begins when Palma's family moved in third grade, and his father decided to renovate their former home to rent.
"I was swinging a hammer and using an electric saw in the fourth and fifth grades," he says. "I loved the world of construction. Then I came to Stanford, and I thought that I should probably be a doctor or a data analyst."
Palma searched for his passion on the Cardinal campus until he found a course winter quarter of his sophomore year titled 'Accessing Architecture Through Drawing' taught in civil and environmental engineering by professor Elijah Wood. He fell in love.
"It taught the in's and out's of how to develop a design," he says. "It was the best class I've taken at Stanford. I declared the major and have loved the entire process of learning in architecture -- models, energy analysis, designing pathways and everything else."
Sophomore year was also a time for Palma to learn on the football field, backing up Blake Martinez at inside linebacker. His path was illuminated once again by great teachers at Stanford, including Martinez and Shayne Skov. Perhaps the most influential mentor was A.J. Tarpley.
"He was a wiz when it came to knowing the defense," Palma says. "He always did the right thing and was always in the playbook. He controlled everything he could. I really looked up to that and tried to develop that in my game."
The light came on late in the 2015 season, Palma's first season as a full-time starter. Watch the film of the Notre Dame game, Pac-12 Championship and Rose Bowl Game to see the emergence of the Cardinal's next impact inside linebacker.
"I had learned a lot of lessons before of what not to do," Palma says. "Now I'm definitely playing a lot faster. Coach Hansen does a great job of drilling us on gap schemes -- how to fit with the defensive linemen. I see the game faster."
One of the deepest position groups at Stanford today, the inside linebacker room is full of exciting and experienced players like juniors Joey Alfieri, Bobby Okereke and Jordan Perez and sophomores Mustafa Branch and Sean Barton.
"I'm trying to pass what I've learned along to these young guys," he says. "Just like the ones did who came before me."
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