Junior linebacker James Kingsbury doesn’t lack confidence for St. Rita.
As the youngest of five siblings from an athletically gifted family, Kingsbury found his voice early — and his playing style — with an outgoing and naturally gregarious personality.
“I would consider myself the loudest in the family,” he said. “More of a talker, not a trash talker, but I always love talking to somebody. I am always trying to have fun.
“Now dealing with the people who knew my brothers, I have an expectation to be the kind of people they were.”
Kingsbury is also the right kind of people. He’s aggressive, skilled and the new leader on defense for the Mustangs, who are No. 3 in the Daily Southtown’s preseason rankings.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Kingsbury learned from the best. Brothers Joe and Matt were the centerpiece of an elite defense that led St. Rita (10-3) to the Class 7A state semifinals.
That was last season, but the oldest brother, Ben, believes James is ready for this.
“I have witnessed James’ fire to compete develop since he was old enough to play sports,” Ben said. “His passion for winning, as well as natural talent, will serve him and his team well this season and propel him to thrive at the next level.”
It’s definitely a family trait.
Matt, Joe and Grace are triplets who were born a minute apart from each other. Matt and Joe transferred to St. Rita from Lincoln-Way East for the start of their junior years.
Matt is now a freshman linebacker at Minnesota. Joe is a freshman linebacker at Dayton. Grace, who graduated from Lincoln-Way East, is a freshman at St. Mary’s.
Ben, who was a standout at Lincoln-Way East, is a junior linebacker at Winona State.
“James is the most competitive person I’ve seen,” Joe said. “Whether that’s football or something as little as Wiffle ball, he plays with a chip on his shoulder.
“The way James works and the way he carries himself is nothing but relentless. His passion for the game and people in his life makes him a special guy to be around.”
As a freshman two years ago, James saw action as a fullback and also on defense and special teams as St. Rita reached the Class 7A state championship game.
As a starter last year, he was credited with 44 tackles, with 25 solo stops. This season, he’ll be a leader for coach Martin Hopkins, a St. Rita graduate and former college assistant at Iowa who takes over for the retired Todd Kuska.
Kingsbury, who has the size and bulk to play in the middle and the speed to make plays in space, is one of five returning starters on defense. Five starters are back on offense.
“I feel like I am pretty good at the speed and the change of direction,” said Kingsbury, who’s also a forward for the basketball team. “If there’s a guy running outside, I feel like I could track them down.
“Coverage, hard hitting, playing special teams, just allows me to make plays.”
Playing such a prominent role as a freshman against Wheaton North in the state championship game provided an early jolt of confidence. But that’s never been in short supply for Kingsbury.
On top of that, playing with his brothers on defense allowed his play to develop and move in greater directions.
“I understand the speed of the game and what I need to work on,” he said.
With his older brothers now in college, Kingsbury has been preparing for this moment. Just ask another one of his brothers.
“James has had a competitive edge growing up with four older siblings,” Matt said. “If I could say one word to describe James, it would be passionate. He puts his all into everything he does.”
Quick Facts
Team: St. Rita
2022 record: 10-3.
Offensive leaders: DJ Stewart, senior, running back; Jett Hilding, senior, quarterback; Brady Courtney, senior, offensive lineman; Jimmie Maxson, junior, wide receiver
Defensive leaders: James Kingsbury, junior, linebacker; Jack Perry, senior, defensive lineman; Zack Clark, senior, defensive back; Conner Artis, senior, defensive back
X-factor: Raymone Saffold, senior, defensive lineman
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
