3-Star 2019 Bishop Gorman OL Cade Briggs Updates Camp and Previews Mater Dei Showdown

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Bishop Gorman has developed into one of the nation’s elite high school football program routinely churning out top talent for college squads year after year. Playing for the Gaels is one thing, being an anchor along the offensive line for the Las Vegas squad is a whole other thing; that is the mission set ahead for Class of 2019 three-star talent Cade Briggs.

Briggs enters the 2018 season as a key cog in the Gaels offensive machine. The team is preseason ranked No. 1 in Nevada and No. 33 nationally by MaxPreps. If that does not carry enough pressure, Bishop Gorman starts the season taking on defending national champs Mater Dei on ESPNU Friday, Aug. 24; the No. 2 ranked team in the nation. The schedule does not get much easier with Centennial (AZ), Orem (UT), and De La Salle (CA) in consecutive order. The good news for Briggs, strong showings against all the top competition is sure to pull more college recruiting attention his way. The 6-4, 290-pound, lineman has six offers extended from Hawaii, Tulane, Army, New Mexico, Portland State, and Air Force with interest coming in from Mountain West squads like Boise State, UNLV, and Nevada.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I got a few minutes with Briggs covering his offseason workouts, the Gaels fall camp, and got a look ahead to the 2018 season.

Interview

Cade, how did fall camp with the Gaels go?

“Fall camp was pretty good. Our practices are hard, especially in the heat. This team is brand new, we do not have a lot of starters back. We were learning and finding that connection throughout fall camp.”

Bishop Gorman is always loaded with talent, what is the competitive nature like of a fall camp full-pads practice?

“It is tense out there. You forget who your friends are in practice. It is like a college practice. It gets hectic out there, but when we get back to the locker room no one remembers it.”

Where all will we see you line up in the trenches this season?

“I am playing right guard and left tackle. I will go back and forth depending on the package.”

At right guard last season, you did a great job of pulling, swallowing up defenders, and finishing your blocks, what are some of the other things you feel you do well as a lineman?

“My get off is one of my best things as a lineman. I am good with my first two steps in the ground hitting them first – that dictates how the play goes and I keep my feet going. I don’t hit and stop. I am always trying to do something out there until the whistle blows.”

Where are you seeing the biggest improvement with your run and pass blocking in camp?

“My pass blocking. I transferred here from a triple-offense my junior year (Tracy, CA). I did not know a lot of pass blocking technique when I got here. My first step is good and explosive, and my punch has gotten a lot better. I have better timing with my punch.”

Did you max out in the weight room this offseason?

“Yes. My max squat was 455, my bench was 295, and my power clean was 285.”

Nice. Turning to recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?

“I am talking to Utah, Boise State, UNLV, and UNR (Nevada).”

How many offers do you have now?

“I have six offers.”

Did you visit any schools this offseason?

“The only school I checked out was UNLV. I wanted to see Air Force, New Mexico, and Portland State but did not get the chance.”

Do you have any planned visits for this fall?

“No officials, but I want to check out Portland State and New Mexico. I am going to New Mexico on our bye week on an unofficial.”

You guys open the season with the defending national champs Mater Dei, it does not get any tougher than that. What is the mindset of the team in preparation for Friday’s nationally televised game?

“We’ve been practicing, lifting, and conditioning since January. We have a bad taste in our mouths from last year snapping our winning streak. We have not looked ahead. We are ready to get after them.”

What do you see being the strengths of Bishop Gorman’s team this season on both sides of the ball?

“On offense, running the ball is a key strength. On defense, stopping the run. Our front seven is very solid.”

Besides the opener, you guys have another very tough non-conference schedule playing Centennial (Peoria, AZ), Orem (UT), and De La Salle (CA), of all the games, which ones are you most hyped to play?

“De La Salle. I know a lot of those kids from youth football on that team. A lot of my family is going to that game; they live about an hour away.”

Last question. What goals have you set for your senior year?

“My goal is to become a better leader on the team. I am one of the captains. I need to be more vocal and be more active in practice. I need to be that guy everyone looks up to on the team.”

Cade, I appreciate your time today. Good luck with the showdown against Mater Dei.

“Thank you.”

Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com a national site aiding in bringing exposure to amazing student-athletes!

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!

Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Cade Briggs (far left) at the Las Vegas Nike Regional