Interview: 2017 LB Isaac Slade-Matautia Continues the Trend of Top Athletes coming out of Hawaii

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: HogManInLA

It seems in recent years the quality of talent pouring out of the state of Hawaii has been steadily increasing. Manti Te’o got the nation’s attention as a tough as nails middle linebacker from Punahou (Honolulu) for Notre Dame (2009-12) racking up 437 career tackles guiding one of the nation’s most iconic programs to the National Championship Game in 2012. Then Marcus Mariota came along out of Saint Louis High School (Honlulu) capturing college football’s imagination as a do-everything dual-threat quarterback winning the Heisman Trophy in 2014 setting Oregon Duck team records and Pac-12 records in a three-year career culminating as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

The truth is Hawaii has been producing next level talent for nearly 100 years placing guys like Walter Achiu and August Cabrinha into the NFL as early as 1927. Over the years a steady stream of great players, regardless of their geographic location, have been making a big impact on the collegiate level out of paradise and another to continue the trend is Isaac Slade-Matautia.

Slade-Matautia has captured attention of his own knocking ball carriers on their backside for Saint Louis High School. The Honolulu product helped the Crusaders to a 9-2 record in 2015 earning first team All-League honors along with first team All-State and the Defensive Player of the Year Award for the state of Hawaii.

As one might imagine, colleges have been blowing up Slade-Matautia’s phone with friendly text messages and phone calls in hopes of drawing the 6’1”, 225 pound, recruit to their respective campus as part of the 2017 class. Slade-Matautia has already received offers from Washington, Arizona State, Nebraska, Colorado, Central Florida, Washington State, Hawaii, and Arizona. More offers could come with teams like BYU, Utah, and Michigan showing interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru interview, I sat down with the 4-star recruit going over his junior season, his offseason visit schedule, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Isaac, you had an amazing junior season for St. Louis. At this point in your career what are some of the things you feel you do well as a linebacker?

“I’d say probably my communication, my ability to lead, knowing my assignment, being a smarter player, and knowing where to go on each play. I feel like that makes me more efficient on the field.”

What are you working on in the offseason?

“Right now I’m training with a trainer trying to get bigger and faster but still move with the same speed. I’m gaining weight and working on my speed sideline to sideline. I watch film every day and I’m learning more about the game to become better.”

You mentioned that you are gaining weight. Do you have a weight gain goal you are trying to hit by the start of the season?

“I want to stay at 225. After the season, before going to college, I’ll add five pounds to get to 230 and play at that weight. I got the weight I want, I don’t want to lose that weight like I did last season.”

Gotcha. How does St. Louis look going into the 2016 season?

“We have a lot of young guys coming up. We have a lot of seniors that will have a big role this year. We will have a young team but we should still compete for a championship.”

Will you play multiple positions next season?

“I’ve talked to my coach about that. He wants me to play some at running back. We have a lot of guys leaving (graduation) and only have two running backs left. I might play a little running back. I’ll play outside linebacker or they may have me at safety a little.”

You earned a lot of individual honors last season but what did you think about your individual performance in 2015?

“I thought I did well. All the offseason training helped. I thought I could have done better in pass rushing and cover skills, those are things I am working on in the offseason.”

I could not find a stat line on you for the 2015 season. Do you know what your stat total was during your junior year?

“We are actually working on that now. We’re going back over all the film to count up my stats.”

You have some great offers from Division-I programs. Are any of the schools pushing a little bit harder than the others trying to secure your commitment?

“So far I feel like Arizona is pushing the hardest.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest but have not offered you yet?

“Utah, BYU, and Michigan.”

Which schools have you unofficially visited so far?

“I’ve gone to UH (Hawaii), Arizona, and Arizona State.”

How did your trip to Arizona go?

“Overall I like both Arizona and Arizona State, both are very nice. I like their coaching staffs. They are straight forward people. They both offered the same interest I was looking for. I like both schools and both visits went very well.”

How did your Hawaii visit go?

“I met with the head coach, Coach (Nick) Rolovich. I’ve been living here all my life and I learned some stuff that I did not know about Hawaii. I was surprised on my unofficial there.”

Do you have any upcoming visits planned?

“That I’m not sure about. I have to talk to my family about that.”

Are you going to any one-day college camps?

“I might go to Washington again. I have to talk to my mom (Julia) about that. She handles everything. Just Washington so far.”

What is your time frame on making a decision?

“I’m thinking about committing after the season. Sometime after the season and after I go on my visits.”

What are the main factors you will consider in choosing a college?

“The people, the environment, the school’s academics, and the coaching staff. Those are the big factors.”

Do you have a GPA you don’t mind sharing?

“I have 3.5 GPA.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“No, I’m taking one of them next month.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“History.”

Have you started thinking about your major yet?

“It’ll either be business or something in the medical field.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“My favorite part about playing football really is competing and meeting new guys. Creating that bond with your teammates and making new friends, friends that will last you the rest of your life.”

Isaac, thanks for your time today and good luck with you upcoming test and possible camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: twitter.com; Isaac Slade-Matautia gets another tackle.

Photo credit: hawaiiprepworld.com; Isaac Slade-Matautia gets a tackle with Kaiser.

Photo credit: scout.com; Slade-Matautia playing 7×7 football.