Kain Medrano has really been on quite a journey, and on Sunday, he finally had that moment of triumph that every athlete dreams about.
In a thrilling game where the Commanders edged out the Seahawks 33-31, his wife, Layla Riggins, shared a joyful video of herself reacting to Medrano’s fourth-quarter interception and subsequent touchdown return.
As soon as Medrano made that interception, Riggins couldn’t contain her excitement, and was seen cheering in the stands with the caption, “My reaction to my hubby getting his pick 6.”
This interception not only pushed Washington further ahead from a tight 27-24 lead they had just established, but it also marked a significant milestone for Medrano—his very first interception as a professional linebacker.
Growing up in Pueblo, Colorado, a place with a population around 110,000 as per recent census data, Medrano faced quite a few challenges. He was a dual-sport athlete participating in both football and track, but, interestingly, he was often viewed as undersized during his high school years.
In 2018, he committed to UCLA, stepping onto the school as a wide receiver under Coach Chip Kelly. However, his stint at that position didn’t last long as he shifted to linebacker just a year later.
That transition? It was a game changer for him.
Medrano continuously improved and became a key player on UCLA’s defense from 2021 to 2024. In his final college year, he played alongside Carson Schwesinger, who would later be named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024. Medrano racked up an impressive 72 tackles, 50 of which were solo efforts. He also managed to grab two interceptions, one notably returned for a touchdown against Nebraska.
Following his senior season, Medrano was invited to the NFL scouting combine, where he really impressed—he clocked a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash, jumped 38 inches vertically, and achieved a broad jump of 10 feet, 5 inches.
Standing at 6’3″ and weighing 222 pounds, he was seen as a versatile player, likely to fill a hybrid safety-linebacker role. He eventually caught the attention of the Commanders, who selected him in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Last season, things didn’t start well; he was placed on Washington’s PUP list due to a hamstring injury sustained during training camp and ended up playing in just nine games. However, this season seems promising. He’s participated in all three games thus far and recorded five tackles against Seattle.
