Interview: 2017 TE Mik’Quan Deane is One of the Best in the JUCO Ranks

Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com FREE!

If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Hard to argue against the talents of Mik’Quan Deane. He simply seems to have it all. The Northeastern Oklahoma A&M standout produces on the field and has all the physical tools to be an impact player for any Division-I squad needing an every down tight end next season.

Deane cut his teeth at the high school level with Memorial (Tulsa) before matriculating to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. Deane is now a 6-4, 245 pound, play-making machine that can block in the run game and use his 4.49 speed in the passing game exploiting linebackers, safeties, and corners in any scheme.

The stats show Deane with 13 receptions for 208 yards with a team-high three receiving touchdowns. What the numbers do not show is the athleticism and strength he possesses taking on defensive ends and linebackers in the run game and the breakaway speed he has with a well thrown ball within his long reach.

Colleges in need of an instant play-maker next season have descended upon the Miami campus in hopes of swaying the three-star talent. Teams to drop offers includes Arizona State, Louisville, Nebraska, New Mexico, Pitt, South Alabama, Syracuse, Colorado State, UAB, South Florida, Central Florida, and BYU. As the collegiate regular season hits the midway point, recruiting efforts from the next level will swell in late November through December as coaches pivot away from winning games in 2016 to players that can help bring victories going forward.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Deane after NEO evened their 2016 season out to a 3-3 mark getting his insight on how his sophomore season is shaping up and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Mik’Quan, what makes you such a dangerous weapon on the field as a tight end?

“I think my speed and the routes I run are my biggest strengths. The way I set the defenders up and come off the ball are strengths. My mentality and how I play the game is something else I bring to my game. I feel like with all the hard work I put in, no one can stop me but me. That is my mentality. If I drop a ball or miss a block, next play next rep. I go hard on the next play or on the next rep to get it right.”

What are you still working on for the 2016 football season?

“I’m still working on finishing as a blocker. Blocking after the whistle on the backside can be hard but college coaches like that. I’m working on coming off the ball harder on blocks. I can improve on everything. If I want to be one of the best tight ends in the nation when I get out of JUCO, I have to step up on everything.”

Will your role within the offense change at all through the back half of the season? Will we see you lined up on the outside or in the backfield as an H-Back?

“I think my role for this team this year is just being a guy that makes plays. There are a lot of guys that talk about it, our coaches want me to be about it. They want me to get catches and throw people to the ground and pancake them when I block. That is my role this year.”

What are your thoughts on your individual performance in 2016? Are you happy with your play thus far?

“Yeah, I’m pleased. There are a couple of games I could have done better on different plays within the games we lost. At the end of the day, I try to give 100 percent. There are always times I could have done more like get a pancake and go block the next guy.”

What was your best game in 2016, which team was it against, and why would you consider that your best?

“I’d have to say Trinity Valley (won 30-29) was my best game. They are one of the top teams in the nation. I dropped a deep pass in that game. That would have had us go up. Later on that game, coach put his trust in me. They threw it to me and I came through for them. My coach told me “to calm down and go out and make plays, team believes in you.” That’s what I did.”

Have you maxed out in the weight room lately?

“I have not maxed out lately. The last time I did was, I think, two springs ago. My bench then was 330, squat was 480, and my power clean was 315.”

Impressive. Let’s switch over to recruiting. You have a lot of offers on the table, which schools that have offered are in pretty regular contact?

“Honestly, I talk to all the schools that have offered me. Pitt, Arizona State, South Florida, and Syracuse might be in more regular contact than the others.”

Are there any teams showing recruiting interest in you that have not offered you yet?

“Yes. Texas A&M, Oregon, Auburn, Texas a little bit, and South Carolina.”

Have you taken any unofficial or official visits yet?

“None yet. I want to take some in November, but I have not gotten to that point yet.”

Are there any schools you are thinking about visiting right now?

“Syracuse, Central Florida, South Florida, and maybe Pitt and Louisville.”

Have you set a date when you would like to verbally commit?

“I’m thinking early December. Some schools may come in late with a last minute offer. We’ll see if that happens. Either way I am fine with the offers I have.”

What type of feedback have you received from these colleges?

“They tell me that I can be a nightmare for any defense because of my speed, my routes, and my playmaking. They tell me that I can open up the running game for the running backs if they over play me. I’m a mismatch for linebackers and I can be a big benefit for their offense.”

I believe it.

(Laughs)

Last question, there were a lot of exciting games this weekend in the college ranks. Did you get to see any of the games and if you did which games stood out to you?

“The Florida State/Miami game was one of the games I watched. I watched some of the Arizona State and UCLA game and then the Washington State and Stanford game. I was surprised by that game. Stanford has a great offensive line, maybe the best in the nation. I have a friend that plays for Washington State. He had a good game. I was happy for him.”

Mik’Quan, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: neoathletics.com; No. 2 Mik’Quan Deane lined up on the outside

Photo credit: 247sports.com; No. 2 Mik’Quan Deane scores a touchdown

Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 2 Mik’Quan Deane on the field