ASHBURN, Va. -- The doors to the Holland Christian High School weight room opened every day at 6 a.m. Coach Tim Lont’s daughter always opened the door. And the first person who arrived at the same time was always the same: Kirk Cousins. Eventually, they gave him his own key so he could let himself in.
It’s the way Cousins felt he had to prepare in order to elevate his game. His high school coaches in Holland, Michigan, figured he’d be a quarterback in the Mid-American Conference. Instead, he ended up starting at Michigan State. When he went to Michigan State, he was far from a lock to become even a one-year starter let alone a future fourth-round draft pick.