Interview: 2017 ATH Easton Seidl making most of move from Linebacker to Defensive Tackle

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Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Sometimes a move of necessity can be a win-win for both player and team, and in recruiting circles, a win for next level scouts. As fate would have it, Cabot High School standout linebacker Easton Seidl was moved from a position of high performance to the unknown at defensive tackle but has met the challenge head on showing off his playmaking skills in the trenches.

Seidl entered his senior season ready to help do his part on the Panthers defense at middle linebacker after a sophomore season filled with 83 tackles and a junior campaign with 90 stops. The then- 6-2, 240 pound, cog in the middle of Cabot’s defense willingly accepted a move to the line now playing nose guard and tackle depending on the scheme. The switch came in Week 5 in a 27-23 win over Fort Smith Southside. The now- 6-2, 255 pound, lineman has found another high productive niche ending the showdown with 11 tackles, four tackles for a loss, two sacks, and two pass breakups.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Seidl to find out how the switch is going from linebacker to tackle, how the Panthers are looking coming off a surprising 37-14 loss to Conway, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Easton, how is the 2016 season going for you so far?

“This is my best season I have played so far. I have made a lot of big plays and highlights. We should be 6-0, but we had a lot of injuries against Conway. I think we will still be a contender for a state championship tough.”

What has been some of the biggest adjustments for you going from linebacker to nose guard/tackle?

“My reads. At nose guard, you still read the guards but it is different. I have a high football IQ, so I have been able to make the adjustment quickly. I still make some mistakes here and there. I’m stronger than a lot of the centers and guards I’m going up against, a lot quicker too.”

How are you feeling about your play on the line?

“I’m proving everyone wrong that I am not too small to play nose guard. I am the real deal. I think I am better as a defensive lineman than I was as a linebacker. A lot of people were doubting that. I’m doing a good job down there.”

What are your strengths as defensive lineman? You mentioned you were stronger and faster than a lot of the guards and centers you’ve been going up against.

“I’m really strong and really fast off the ball. That is my best thing. I am aggressive and quick too.”

How did your first game on the line go for you?

“Against Southside I had 11 tackles, four tackles for a loss, two sacks, and two passes broken up.”

I know the Panthers (5-1) are coming off a tough loss to Conway, but how does the team look going into the back half of the schedule?

“We have to have a different attitude in practice. This last week in practice, no one had intensity because we were 5-0. That will have to change. We had some injuries in our last game, we have to have people come back healthy. We should do well against Central. Bryant should be a good game. If we can pick it up, we should finish the season strong. We did not practice hard last week, we need one this week.”

When we last spoke in August, you were excited to play Pine Bluff (28-27) and Southside (27-23), you got big wins over both. You mentioned Bryant already, but are you getting excited for big games against Northside and North Little Rock as well?

“Definitely. North Little Rock is killing teams. I think we can beat them.”

Let’s talk a little recruiting. Which schools do you have offers from right now?

“Harding, Arkansas-Monticello, Arkansas Tech, and Lyons.”

Which teams are showing interest in you?

“Every D-II school in Arkansas. UCA (Central Arkansas) is starting to get hotter on me. They were wanting me to play defensive line if I were to go to school there. The switch to nose guard has helped a lot with UCA. Southeast Missouri, they are looking at me as an H-back/fullback. Arkansas State is recruiting me harder as a defensive lineman now. I’m planning on visiting them soon.”

You mentioned a possible visit to Arkansas State, have you visited or plan on visiting any other schools coming up?

“I’ve visited Arkansas Tech, Monticello, Henderson State, Southern Arkansas, and Southeast Missouri.”

When you go on the various trips, what are you hoping to learn about the different programs?

“I like seeing how the players like it. I talk to them about how hard college life is for them. I talk to them about which players are seniors and who might be leaving soon looking at playing time. Things like that.”

What is your overall GPA?

“I have a 2.9 or a 3.0. Somewhere around there.”

What did you get on your standardized test?

“I took the ACT and got an 18. I’m taking it again on Oct. 22.”

Last question – for fun. There were a lot of great college games over the weekend. Which games did you watch?

“I watched the Henderson State and Harding game. I thought that would be a good game. I saw some of the Arkansas/Alabama game and the Texas A&M/Tennessee game. That was a good game.”

Easton, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Seidl family; No. 40 Easton Seidl (center) with No. 54 Colin Thompson (left) and No. 56 Chris Jones (right).

Photo credit: Seidl family; No. 40 Easton Seidl (center) with Cabot teammates at Arkansas Tech.

Photo credit: Seidl family; No. 40 Easton Seidl (center) with Cabot teammates at Southern Arkansas.