Interview: 2018 Independence JUCO CB Delrick Abrams Jr. Earning High Praise Shutting Down Offenses
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
All coaches love their players, perhaps some a little bit more than others. The ones getting a little more love and attention chances are the ones putting in all of the time possible on and off the field to elevate their game to the best of their abilities. One player getting the upmost love and respect from his coach is Delrick Abrams Jr.
Abrams by all accounts is a college football longshot regardless of the natural abilities, heart, and football IQ he brings to the field day in and day out. The odds are stacked against high school players to begin with making it to the Division-I level but coming from a 1A school even in a talent rich state like Louisiana decreases the chances tremendously. Yet, Abrams has taken the opportunities given working hard from the onset at Varnardo High School in Angie, Louisiana.
The coaches at Varnardo used Abrams as a two-way star seeing him rack up 22 total touchdowns on offense along with 80 tackles and seven picks on defense playing receiver and free safety during his senior campaign. When the 2015 season was completed Abrams was unsure about his future on the gridiron until an offer from Independence College came around.
Now the 6-3, 180 pound, rising star is playing corner for the Pirates earning the highest of praise from his defensive coordinator Jason Martin. On Feb. 7, Coach Martin, not one to fill up a Twitter feed, gave his corner about the best compliment a player could receive posting, “I would put him up against anybody in the Nation.” Abrams worked for Coach Martin’s respect coming up with 30 tackles, 17 solo, roughly six passes defended, and three interceptions during his true freshman season.
For now, Division-I coaches are slow to come around on Abrams with UCLA and Nebraska being the two primary schools showing interest. After Independence’s spring tape hits the recruiting trail and with a full sophomore season coming up, coaches needing a big corner or free safety with Abrams’ abilities will be flocking to Kansas in hopes of signing the December graduate.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the under radar recruits at the JUCO level in the 2018 recruiting class covering his first season of college ball.
Interview
Delrick, how did your senior season at the high school level play out?
“It played out good. I wish we could have gone all the way. We lost in the second round to the No. 1 team in 1A. I loved playing with my classmates for the last time.”
What was your first year of playing college football like for you?
“It was amazing. I did not plan on playing. When I got the opportunity, it was amazing.”
How did you step up your game throughout the season?
“Learning the plays better, my hips, my footwork, and I listened to my coach. It all played out.”
What aspects of your game are stands out on the field?
“My press technique. I love to be in press. I can play off-man. I like coming downhill and attacking the ball in the air. That is the strength of my game.”
What are your goals for your sophomore season?
“I want to perform better than last year and get better overall.”
What are you working to improve upon before your sophomore season?
“I’m working on reading the QBs shoulder. I’m also working on my hips, coming out of breaks faster, and attacking downhill better. I want no hesitation. I just want to play the game full-speed.”
Who was the toughest receiver you went up against in 2016?
“Jojo Robinson (Arkansas Razorbacks). He is a teammate of mine. He did not play in 2016. He was injured. We squared off in practice. He is good.”
How did that matchup make you better?
“He’s fast and strong. That made me want to work harder. He already played D-I ball in the SEC. That made me want to work harder to perform better.”
You played corner during your freshman season, are you staying at corner in 2017 or will you play multiple positions?
“My coach said he will have me at corner and safety.”
The defensive coordinator for Independence, Coach Jason Martin, went on Twitter stating that he would put you up against any other corner out there. How did that make you feel?
“It made me feel proud. It makes me want to work harder so he can keep trusting me. To put it out there in the open, I know he believes in me. That made me work harder to stay on top of my game.”
How did you earn such high praise from your coach?
“I came in over the summer, I was not the strongest person, not the fastest, but my work ethic was there. I worked hard. I came in over the summer, my mindset was to play my freshman year and to start. I kept coming to him to learn the plays. I did what I had to do to keep my spot.”
How many games did you start in 2016?
“I started every game.”
What is the best 40-yard dash time you’ve posted?
“A 4.51 at a camp.”
Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?
“Coach Martin has been contacted by UCLA and Nebraska. I have some schools following me on Twitter.”
What do you want to major in at a four-year school?
“Business and management.”
What is your proudest achievement on the field thus far?
“My proudest achievement so far is getting my hips better and I am coming out of my breaks faster. I’m proud that I am a college football player. Not everyone gets to play college ball.”
Delrick, thanks for your time today and good luck with spring practices.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Independence C.C.; No. 8 Delrick Abrams Jr.