Interview: 3-Star 2021 Philly RB/ATH Shuayb “Shoes” Brinkley Taking Talents to California Powerhouse
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Outside of perhaps a couple dozen football teams across the country, very few high school players get to test their skills with the pads on against players in other states, even going up a classification in-state is a rarity. Any top talent worth their recruiting ranking will always wonder how well they would do playing against other top competition in other states. When the pigskin is teed up for the 2020 season, three-star running back/athlete Shuayb “Shoes” Brinkley will get to put that notion to the test.
During the 2019 high school football season, Brinkley made a case for himself as one of the top all-around athletes in the 2021 recruiting class. Playing for Philadelphia’s Northeast High School, Brinkley picked apart 6A competition in all three phases of the game. His speed and athleticism led to first team All-State, All-City, and All-Public honors at the “Athlete” position. Full season stats on offense have not been released, but in a partial grouping, Brinkley rushed for 358 yards off 51 carries with four scores and secured 12 passes for 181 yards with three more trips into the end zone. On defense, he put an end to 37 plays solo style with one tackle for a loss, picked of five passes, knocked away four passes, forced a fumble, and picked up a fumble.
The 5-10, 187-pound, standout is a well-known name among college coaches in the Northeast with 16 offers on the table. The Pac-12 and Mountain West Conference programs are about to get their fill when Brinkley laces up the cleats for national powerhouse Mater Dei during the 2020 season.
In an RNG exclusive, Brinkley heads into the Lab for a detailed conversation on his big junior year, transfer, and college football recruiting opportunities.
Interview
Shoes, when they talk about speed being a killer, you’re that killer on the gridiron. What’s your best posted timed run?
“A 4.44. I ran that with my track coach.”
You were all over the field for the Vikings in 2019. On offense, where all did the coaches line you up to exploit defenses?
“I played three different positions on offense, running back, Wildcat QB, outside receiver and slot. Pretty much every skill position on the offense.”
As a running back and receiving threat, how did your overall game improve last season?
“I became more explosive. My burst improved. I was explosive, but I took it to another level last year.”
On the other side of the ball, where all did you line up?
“At corner, strong and free safety. Any skill position on the field, I played it.”
On defense, your speed in the secondary does not allow quarterbacks room for error with five picks on the season. Where were you lining up on defense and what were some of the coverages the team was executing?
“We ran everything from Cover 3 to Cover 6, man, man-press, Cover 0 and Cover 4.”
The offseason brought a big move from Philly to LA. How did you end up at Mater Dei?
“Philly is a tough city. An opportunity to compete against the best came up and I moved out here.”
During your senior season, where all will you line up for the Monarchs?
“Free safety to running back, slot, and I will return kicks and punts.”
How are you preparing for the 2020 campaign?
“Right now, I am working on speed. I an doing routes on air and throwing with some good quarterbacks. With the quarantine, we are not in the weight room as much. But I am working on my speed and conditioning.”
With recruiting, which schools are showing recruiting interest?
“USC, Oregon, Cal, Arizona State, UCLA, and Miami.”
How many offers do you have?
“I have 16 offers.”
Brinkley’s Offer Sheet: Akron, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Fordham, Illinois State, Kent State, Marshall, Massachusetts, Morgan State, Old Dominion, Toledo, and William & Mary
Before the quarantine, did you get to visit any programs?
“Yeah. I visited Penn State, Rutgers, and Maryland early in the season.”
How did the Penn State visit go?
“It was electric there. It is crazy up there.”
And Rutgers?
“It was an odd time; they were going through the coaching change. They did not have their identity at that point. BC is only about one-and-a-half hours away from Philly. I plan to go up there again.”
What about the Maryland trip, how did that go?
“It was at the beginning of the season. I liked it a lot. They had a home environment. Maryland has good people and good coaches there. It felt like a family there.”
Once things open back up, are you planning on visiting any schools?
“Yes. I plan on visiting Oregon, USC, Cal, UCLA, and probably ASU. Miami and Oklahoma as well.”
Shoes, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your offseason workouts.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Brinkley family; Shoes Brinkley at Penn State and Rutgers