Henry Lowe: From Villanova Walk-On to Two-Time National Champion and UB Coach

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Canisius star running back Elijah Kimble has already accomplished just about everything you can at the high school level. The four-star senior is already committed to Syracuse, and he’s one of the top recruits in the country, but he still has goals he wants to accomplish in his senior season before making his mark in college football. 

Before Kimble was a four-star recruit, a Syracuse commit or a player closing in on a Western New York record, he was an eighth grader trying to prove he belonged.

“He may have been the best eighth-grade kid I've seen ever," said Canisius High School football head coach Kraig Kurzanski.

Kurzanski remembers that first impression clearly, and Kimble has spent the years since turning that potential into production.

"He’s certainly bigger and stronger and he’s gotten into the weight room," said Kurzanski. "His explosiveness is off the charts. He’s so sudden as a player. Syracuse is getting a dog.”

Kimble has 73 touchdowns and 5,325 yards going into his senior season, but the numbers only tell part of the story. Kimble said what he’s most proud of isn’t found on a stat sheet.

“The young man I became," said Kimble. "The patience I had to learn. Learning how to conduct myself. Getting the offers as a freshman, which most don't do, so, I'm still a young kid. So, just learning how to conduct myself is something I'm really proud of.”

Now, the senior has a chance to leave behind a legacy few Buffalo high school players ever will. Kimble is roughly 1,234 yards away from passing Jehuu Caulcrick as Western New York’s all-time leading rusher.

“That's the reason records are there," said Caulcrick. "It's to give people things that they can chase. I’m excited for that for him, the opportunity to break that record.”

But there’s something Kimble wants even more than the record.

“I really don't have anything left to prove besides the state championship," said Kimble.

That’s a lesson Caulcrick learned during his own record-setting career.

“I think the focus will be winning a state championship because if you win that state championship, the record is going to come," said Caulcrick.

And for Kimble, the pursuit is bigger than a number. It’s about showing what’s possible for the next generation of Buffalo football players.

“Buffalo’s been a secret for a long time," said Kimble. "And we got a lot of young kids coming up. So, me just being somebody that they can look up to motivates me a lot.”

Kurzanski has the same vision for Kimble. 

“He’s the best player I’ve ever coached, but I want him to put his stamp on the history of New York state football," said Kurzanski.

While Kimble closes in on Caulcrick's record, both Kimble and his coach made it clear: The number isn’t the priority; it's winning the school’s first state championship since 2019. 

"I want a championship, a championship for sure," said Kimble.