WKU's Kareem Peterson Profile

Name - Kareem Peterson

School - Western Kentucky University

Position - Safety

Birth - August 19, 1990

Height - 5-11

Weight - 180

HS - Marshall County High School '09

Parents - Alvin Rhodes Jr., Kimberly Peterson     

Major - Sports Management

Previous accolades - Earned the Tennessee Class 3A Region Five Receiver of the Year following his senior season at Marshall County High School. Named to the TSWA First Team All-State and the First Team All-Region list.

Stats - 17 career starts. 148 career tackles, 4 interceptions.

College accolades - 4-year starter. Phil Steele preseason 2nd team All-Sun Belt pick.

A four-year starter for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, senior Kareem Peterson one of the team leaders for a team that went from 0-12 to 2-10 to 7-5 with a final year on the hill full of promise. Peterson is a 2nd team All-Sun Belt safety according to pundit Phil Steele's magazine.

Peterson was a recruit of former head coach David Elson's staff that brought WKU into FBS football. Peterson was a 2-star rated defensive back out of high school picked WKU over offers from Memphis, MTSU, Tennessee Tech and Tennessee Martin. Timed with a 4.50 40 yard sprint out of high school, Peterson has great speed for a safety.

The Hilltoppers just missed out on a bowl berth while finishing 7-5 and second in the Sun Belt but Peterson wants to take that final step and not only make a bowl game in 2012 but make sure that everyone knows about WKU. Peterson has been a leader in the secondary since his freshman year and will be the key for WKU to step forward and make a name nationally this fall.

Interview with Kareem Peterson:

1.  Being part of WKU's first FBS recruiting class and seeing the program go from 0-12 to 7-5, how important is it to make the first FBS bowl game in team history this fall? 

It’s very important. I’ve been grinding since I stepped on campus. And I think the fans as well as the players that went through that deserve it.

 2.  Losing senior Ryan Beard to graduation, you are now the elder statesman in the secondary with 17 career starts. How has your leadership/mentoring role changed going into your senior year?

It’s not really much different. I’ve had to take the leadership role on early playing as a true freshman. Just at this point in my career I want to help the younger defensive backs understand defense the way I do.

 3.  As a part of 8 native Tennesseans that all look to be important parts on this upcoming season, is there a special bond similar to the one it seems the Florida guys have?

I don’t have a specific click or bond with one group on the team other than the DB’s. I’m close to my group of defensive backs, because we’re always around each other.

 4.  With you missing the first three games of 2011 to injury and watching the team go 0-3 to start the season, things looked rough. What kind of changes in confidence did you see in the team for the final 9 games that saw WKU go 7-2 down the stretch?

I believe the team was confident from the very first game. I just think it came down to chemistry. If one person falls on a starting lineup it kind of throws of the chemistry a little. And I think once everyone is back in place people can play a little more relaxed.

 5.  Playing alongside Florida transfer Jonathan Dowling should give the defense more freedom to try different things. How do you see your role expanding with his addition to the defense in 2012?

I still have the same role I had. I’m the field and JD is the boundary. You throw it to his side you got trouble, you throw it to my side you got trouble. We’ve started something called #1OR14. Meaning you got to choose a side, and whatever side it is isn’t going to be pretty.

6.  With people starting to stand up and take notice of WKU, accolades begin to pile in. How does it feel seeing your hard work being rewarded by preseason all-conference lists with your name on them?

It’s humbling but I don’t want to be a guy who pays attention to all that and gets caught in the hype. When my name pops up on the post season list is when I’ll be honored.

7.  What would you like to say to citizens of Bowling Green that are on the fence about coming to see WKU play this fall?

This year could be something special in Bowling Green. This city has seen us transform right in front of their eyes. We’re rolling and we want them on this train too. Let’s sell out every game. Why not??

Peterson made 3 interceptions during his junior year after only 1 combined in his first two years on the hill. The defense was much more active and impressive after his return to the playing field following his recovery from injury. Peterson is part of a defense that includes 3 Phil Steele 1st team All-Sun Belt honorees and a 4-star Florida transfer and could work his way into loads of accolades following a very good career at WKU. Senior year is when players in the Sun Belt make that last step and not only get attention nationally on the college level but begin to see NFL scouts paying attention.