Interview: 2017 Texas 4-Star OT Chuck Filiaga Updates Oregon Ducks Official Visit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

At this point in the recruiting process, if you are not familiar with who Chuck Filiaga is here is all that you need to know. 1) Filiaga is one of the more highly sought after offensive tackles in the 2017 recruiting class with over 30 offers. 2) Filiaga transferred from Vista Murrieta in California to Aledo High School in Texas over the summer. 3) The four-star talent narrowed down his long list of offers to 10 on Sept. 5.

There are few givens when it comes to recruiting out of the high school level. Top players with all of the talent in the world can end up with dismal collegiate careers while the slept on two-stars become an All-Americans. One safe bet is Filiaga being an impact player wherever he may choose to play his college ball. The 6-7, 327 pounder, is a beast on the field with the potential to play as a true freshman.

Whoever lands Filiaga is getting a great asset to their program on and off the field. Filiaga’s overpowering demeanor on the field gives way off the field to a happy go-lucky guy quick to smile and quick to laugh. The 10 schools vying for the Texas talent includes, in alphabetical order, Arkansas, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, and USC.

High school recruits only have five official visits they are allowed to take during their senior year. Filiaga has not started narrowing down his list to the next cutoff point but one school that has seemingly made the cut of five, based on official visits, is Oregon.

The Ducks hosted on Sept. 10 for the Virginia game. In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I got the inside scoop on Filiaga’s visit to Eugene.

Interview

Chuck, the question everyone wants the answer to whether an Oregon fan or a fan from one of the schools in your Top 10, how did your visit to Eugene go for you?

“The visit went great. I loved it. The fans were amazing and I loved the facilities and the campus. Meeting the coaching staff all together, they are fun guys to be around. With Coach (Steve) Greatwood (offensive line coach), it felt good talking to him. After all of this time not being able to talk to coaches being an underclassman, it was great. Coach (Mark) Helfrich (head coach) was great as well. I really felt like I could see myself there. The atmosphere there is really nice.”

What all did you talk to Coach Greatwood and Coach Helfrich about while you were there?

“They talked to me about my academics. They asked me about my time there, did I like it, and do you see yourself here. They talked to me about their tradition. All of the coaches have been there for a long time. Coach Greatwood told me he is at Oregon because he loves it. That is where he wants to be.”

Did you get to sit in on any team or position meetings?

“I got to sit in on the pregame walk-through. They have this thing called the Clap. They have so much stuff it is unbelievable, they have a theatre they use during pre-game. They have chairs in front for the offensive and defensive linemen. The coaches on one side calling plays with hand signals. Everyone has to look and no one talks. This part of the meeting is practicing the walk-throughs without talking. You show your assignment with his hands and the receivers have to point to the direction where they are going.”

Did they talk to you about how they would use you within their offense?

“They did not.”

How did you see yourself fitting in with the team and with the offense?

“I see myself fitting in well with both the offense and the guys on the team. They run a lot of zone plays similar to what we do at Aledo. I watched (junior left tackle) Tyrell Crosby a lot.”

Did you get to tour the campus?

“Yeah, we saw everything there. Oregon is a really pretty campus. They are spoiled, but in a good way.”

Who went with you on the trip?

“My mom.”

Did you have a host that took the two of you around the campus and after the game?

“Yeah, we had a recruiting person that took us all around campus. The host that took us around after the game was Tyrell Crosby. He is a great guy.”

What were some of the positives he shared with you about playing for Oregon?

“He said he loved it there. He spoke highly of the staff and Coach Greatwood. He said out of all the coaches the strength and conditioning coach and your academic tutors are the people you will spend the most time with so develop a great relationship with them. You can tell he really loves it there.”

You just finished one of five potential official visits you can take as a senior. Have you started setting up any other visits yet?

“No, I have not set up any other visits yet.”

Chuck, thanks for your time today and congratulations on a successful trip to Oregon.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credits: Filiaga family; Chuck Filiaga at Oregon.