Interview: 4-Star 2018 SS/WR Caden Sterns is Playing Lights Out on Both Sides of the Ball for Steele
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Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Most Class of 2018 football players that are midway through their junior seasons’ are lucky to have a little bit of film to entice college football recruiters to take notice. For Caden Sterns, the Lone Star State standout has already established himself as a next level talent working through his third season at the varsity level posting a reel that makes most envious.
Sterns did not waste time or opportunities during his freshman season securing 43 passes for 497 yards with five touchdowns playing receiver. When the 2015 season rolled around, Steele High School decided to test their athlete on the other side of the ball playing him at safety. Sterns did not let down the Knights’ faithful bringing down 57 ball carriers, breaking up eight passes, recovering a fumble, and securing a pick-six. His one reception on offense was a show out play letting everyone know that he still has it hauling in a 37-yard touchdown pass.
Seven games into his junior campaign, Sterns has showed he can ball on both sides of the ball for an entire game throughout the season. His 12 receptions for 218 yards with four scores is impressive but his defensive stat line draws a crowd. Teams tested the 6-1, 180 pound, talent early resulting in 30 tackles, 21 solo, one tackle for a loss, and two passes defended. His playmaking skills were further displayed picking off three passes covering 175 return yards, all three interceptions were taken back to the house for touchdowns. The Knights have even tested Sterns in the return game on special teams fielding eight punts for 33 yards and three kick returns for 65 more yards.
The Knights are off to a 6-1 start losing a very tough early season 59-56 overtime showdown against Lake Travis. The hot start is nothing new for Steele High School. The 2015 scheduled ended with a 14-1 mark making a run to the Texas semifinal round against 6A competition. The winning ways have brought more and more colleges to the stadium to checkout jersey No. 2. To date, Sterns has 11 scholarship offers coming in from LSU, Oklahoma, Houston, Baylor, UCLA, Texas-San Antonio, TCU, Texas, SMU, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State.
A tribute to Caden’s abilities lies within the 11 offers. The double-digit scholarship total is impressive alone but knowing that his older brother Jordan plays for Oklahoma State, that adds a little more fuel to the fire knowing these top schools are prepared to do battle against the Cowboys for an active legacy.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Sterns to go over his highly productive junior season and to get an inside scoop on his recruitment.
Interview
Caden, tough question first. How did the Lake Travis 59-56 overtime loss motivate the team going forward?
“That loss was a rude awakening. We were No. 12 in the country. We came in over confident, cocky. It was an awakening for us. It was better for us to lose then to get us prepared for later in the season, especially the defense. We did not play as well as we can against Lake Travis. The loss has helped us.”
You guys got tested a little bit against Canyon winning 21-14 on Friday night. What did Canyon do to slow the Knights down after being on a roll beating everyone fairly handedly?
“They did a good job. They kept the ball away from our offense. They ran the ball and the clock out. Their defense executed well. Our offense had some mistakes. They played keep away from our offense and kept it close.”
What challenges does the next three games against East Central, Wagner, and Clemens provide for you and the Knights?
“To get better each week and get a win. Some teams are not as good as others, so it can be hard going into a game expecting to win and staying motivated. We have to work on that hunger to win every game. We constantly have to get better for the playoffs. We can’t have mental mistakes in the playoffs. That could cost us a game in the playoffs.”
How is the season going for you?
“It is going well, but it could be better. I always feel like I can do more. I feel like I can always make more plays, tackles, touchdowns, and interceptions. I always look for improvement. Overall, the season is a good one because we are winning but I have to keep on improving.”
Which position do you like better, wide receiver or safety?
“Really, wherever they need me at the time I will play. I’m not a picky person. I just like playing.”
Which position are colleges recruiting you to play?
“Mostly safety but some as an athlete.”
You have seven total touchdowns on the year, four are receiving touchdown. Are the other three scores pick-sixes?
“Yes, sir.”
Are you still surprised when quarterbacks test you?
“Sort of. I feel like they should. I just try to make them pay when they do. I like it when they throw my way. If I pick it off, I’m trying to score every time. I want to make something positive out of the opportunity. It is a great feeling getting a pick-six.”
What are the best parts of your game at safety?
“I feel like my ball skills are the best part. From playing receiver, knowing the routes – I can see what is coming. My coverage and my tackles coming downhill are the best parts of my game.”
What are you working on to improve upon throughout the season?
“Everything in general. My breaks, ball skills, staying on top of everything, and tackling in the open field. (Tackling in the open field) That can be tough at times. I am working on everything overall so I can be a great safety. I don’t want to be a safety that can cover but can’t come downhill. I want to make plays on the ball in the air and stop the run.”
How many offers do you have right now?
“I have 11 offers.”
Of the schools that have offered, which ones are in contact more frequently than the others?
“Oklahoma State, LSU, UCLA, TCU, Houston, and Oklahoma.”
Are there any schools showing interest in you but have not offered yet?
“Yes, sir. Notre Dame, Washington, Arkansas, Michigan, Texas A&M, and Stanford, a little bit, are all showing interest.”
Have you taken any unofficial visits this season?
“Yes, sir. I have visited Texas, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State.”
How did the Texas visit go?
“It was good. I visited for their game against Notre Dame. That was a big game at the time. The atmosphere was great there.”
How did your Oklahoma State visit go?
“It was good. I know the area well. It was good to talk to the coaches. They were recruiting my brother and now they are recruiting me. I have seen the facilities and campus before. It is always good to go up there and watch him (Jordan) play.”
Do you have any visits planned coming up?
“Yes, sir. I’m planning on going to Oklahoma State and LSU for the Alabama game on Nov. 5. Some of the teams I’m trying to get to are Tennessee, Georgia, and schools like that around there.”
What is your overall GPA right now?
“I think I have a 3.5.”
Do you have any plans to take the ACT or SAT coming up?
“I’m planning on taking the SAT on Dec. 3 but that all depends on the playoffs.”
Are there any players at the next level you watch to learn more about the game?
“Most definitely. In college, my brother and Jamal Adams (LSU). I like watching Jabrill Peppers at Michigan. I watch Washington’s (Huskies) defensive backs. They have crazy defensive backs there. In the NFL, my favorite is Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson (Arizona Cardinals). I watch defensive back that are doing something right to better my game all the time.”
Caden, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your season.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: houstonchronicle.com; No. 2 Caden Sterns picks off a pass.
Photo credit: San Antonio Express News; No. 2 Caden Sterns secures TD pass.
Photo credit: San Antonio Express News; No. 2 Caden Sterns gets big hit vs. Smithson Valley.