Interview: 2018 California 3-Star CB Shamar Whestone is Drawing Interest from Top Schools Nationally

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

In the ever evolving game of college football, the need for defenses to find players in the secondary that can cover any type of receiver and fly downhill to stop a runaway freight train tailback is in high demand. The state of California is filled with extremely gifted skill position players, especially in the back four on defense, with Class of 2018 cornerback Shamar Whestone fitting the bill.

Whestone started making a name for himself in California high school circles during his junior season earning three-star status along the way. Used as a two-way player for Oak Hills High School, Whestone pulled in nine passes for 171 yards with a score and racked up 16 tackles, a forced fumble, and picked off three passes. The stat line may not impress, but there is nothing a corner can do but shutdown his man and force the offense to go the other way, something Whestone did well in 2016.

The 2017 season for Whestone will take on a different kind of significance being his senior season and being on a new squad. Two weeks ago Whestone transferred to Upland High School adding his skill set to a roster already filled with a lot of talent.

The change from one team to another has not detoured college programs from keeping tabs on the 6-0, 200 pound, corner. Unofficial visits have already been taken to USC, San Diego State, and UNLV with another visit planned to Fresno State at the end of the month.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the rising stars in California’s 2018 class to gain insight on his play on the field while getting a recruiting news update.

Interview

Shamar, how has the transfer from Oak Hills to Upland gone so far?

“It has been a good transfer. I like the coaches and the weight room here. I’m getting bigger down here. I want to give props to everyone down here for helping me.”

Have you had a chance to work with your new team yet?

“Not yet. We get on the field on Thursday.”

Are you excited to get out there and show them what you got?

“Yeah.”

Which positions might you play for Upland in 2017?

“They have me at punt returner, corner, receiver, and strong safety.”

How did your junior season go on the field?

“My junior season went great. I had three interceptions and a lot of deflections.”

How many pass breakups did you have last year?

“I think I had 10 passes broken up.”

How many passes beyond 10 yards were caught on you?

“Two.”

Who was the toughest receiver and/or quarterback you went up against last year?

“The toughest QB I went up against was EJ Stewart at Rancho Verde and the toughest receiver was Bryan Thompson (77/1,377/14) also at Rancho Verde (in the playoffs).”

How did that challenge help improve your game?

“It got my game way better. I had to play faster. It made me step it up. I got two offers this off-season from that game.”

What are you working on this off-season?

“I’m playing 7v7 with RhareBreed. We’ve been in the weight room and I have been out on the field working on my footwork with Coach Robert Barnes (RhareBreed).”

What are the strengths of your game?

“My ability to go get the ball wherever I am out on the field and my man-to-man coverage. I like making big plays in big time games.”

What is the best 40-yard dash time you’ve posted?

“At Oak Hills I ran a 4.47 hand-timed.”

You mentioned playing 7v7 ball, how is that helping improve your game this spring?

“It is helping improve my overall game. I have 15 picks overall and we still have a couple of tournaments left to play. My zone coverage and my man press are way better than last season.”

Have you attended any camps so far this spring?

“I went to the LA Nike Opening.”

How did that go for you?

“I did well. I went up against a lot of five-star receivers. They got me better and I got them better.”

What other camps might you attend this spring?

“I’m not sure yet.”

Which schools are showing interest in you?

“I’m talking to Coach Dunbar at Alabama. New Mexico and Fresno State have offered me. Fresno State is my top school. I’m getting a lot of Mountain West interest from teams like San Diego State and Boise State and some Pac-12 interest from Oregon State.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“I took one to USC last Tuesday. That was a great visit. I got to talk to their staff then. I have been to San Diego State and UNLV too.”

You said the USC visit was great. What all did you do while you were there?

“I watched them practice. It is intense up there. I am interested in going there.”

How did the SDSU visit go?

“SDSU was excellent. They have a nice campus and nice coaches. I would not mind going there either.”

Do you have any visits coming up?

“On April 29 I’m going to Fresno State.”

What has you excited about going to Fresno State?

“I’m excited to go there. I want to meet the coaching staff. They have been showing me love. They are my top school. I can’t wait to get there.”

Do you plan on attending any college camps this summer?

“No. If they invite me I will go but other than that, no.”

Are you playing any spring sports for Upland or do you have to wait because of the transfer?

“I will run track in a week once my papers come through. Track is a good off-season workout for my legs.”

Which events will you run?

“I want to run the 100 and 400.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“2.82.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“No. I take the ACT on Saturday and on May 6 I am taking the SAT.”

Last question. What goals have you set for yourself this off-season?

“I am setting up to be the best defensive back on the field every time I step on field. I want to break Upland’s interception record and I want 20 offers. I want to go to a school that fits me.”

Shamar, thanks for your time today and good luck with the ACT on Saturday.

“Thank you.”

Click link to see Shamar Whestone’s 2016 highlight reel.

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Photo credit: wordpress.com/Oak Hills HS; No. 11 Shamar Whestone in the open field.

Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 11 Shamar Whestone on offense (2016).