Interview: 5-Star 2019 California ATH DeGabriel Floyd Talks Visits and Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

When the 2016 California high school football season had concluded, one thing shared along the recruiting trail – De’Gabriel Floyd is a rare talent. The all-around athlete was widely recruited by college programs across the country with corresponding sites labeling him a four-star prospect. After an offseason of hard work, Floyd is back at it terrorizing the opposition on both sides of the ball but this time around rated as a five-star recruit.

Tough to tell where Floyd dazzled college coaches more, on offense or on defense, playing for Hawkins High School in 2016. When his sophomore season had concluded, Floyd had 68 totes for 751 yards with five scores and converted a 16-yard reception into a score. Floyd’s play at linebacker was equally impressive putting an end to 85 plays, 48 solo, with 15 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, and one forced fumble.

After transferring to Golden Valley in the offseason, the change in locale has not changed the production on the field. In stats through parts of four games, the 6-3, 210-pound, standout has rushed 11 times for 141 yards with four scores and caught 13 passes for 273 yards with three more trips into the end zone. An added bonus for the Grizzlies, he has returned three punts for 54 yards further showcasing his athletic abilities. Something that might be even more impressive than his 12.8 yard per carry average or his 21 yard per reception average, Floyd has racked up 24 tackles, 13 solo, with one sack, a pass broken up, and two picks playing safety… yes, safety.

The offer sheet for Floyd continues to grow with 19 reported teams hoping he will sign his national letter of intent to their program. Among the many hopefuls includes Notre Dame, Arizona, Baylor, Colorado, Utah, Fresno State, Boston College, Tennessee, Pitt, Oregon State, San Jose State, BYU, Oregon State, Illinois, Georgia, and Arizona State. On April 3, Floyd verbally committed to USC, but that has not stopped college coaches from trying their best to persuade him to change his mind.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with Floyd receiving an update on his junior season on the field with an overview of his recruiting process with a rundown of his potential upcoming visits.

Interview

DeGabriel, you entered your junior season as one of the more highly thought of players nationally in your class, seeing you coming has to scare offensive coordinators. How are teams scheming against you this season?

“I feel like teams are not trying to do that yet, they don’t know my weak and strong points at free safety. My coaches have thrown off opposing coaches by switching my positions up.”

Are you enjoying playing safety?

“Yes. My coaches are helping make my weakness strengths. Last year I played defensive end and outside linebacker, now I know how to read different keys from the line and quarterback along with passing routes.”

How are teams trying to slow you down on offense?

“At receiver, in one game I was double-teamed. That is pretty much it. They are putting more people to my side. Teams rarely go Cover 3 or Man against me. In Cover 3, they still shade my side even with trips to the other side.”

You are doing a whole lot of everything in all three phases of the game, how is your offensive game coming along this season?

“This year I am doing better at seeing holes. My vision is a lot better. My breakaway speed is coming along. In the open-field, after I beat the second level I have not been caught. Against Crescenta Valley, I had a 79-yard touchdown. I broke three tackles and then beat the safety. Three or four players later, I was at quarterback in the Wildcat – I had a run to the outside, I was going down the line of scrimmage and took it 60-yards for a score. I am excited to see my vision and speed coming along.”

What are some areas of your game that are improved over last season on defense?

“I think I have dominated at safety. My first game at safety, I had a pick. They tried to bait me. They were trying to pick on me, but I capitalized on the play. I read the quarterback’s eyes, he tried to look me off. He threw a ball that shouldn’t have been thrown. Playing safety, has made me hungrier on the field. I am seeing the lane and I am bringing the hammer.”

How are the Grizzlies looking heading into league play?

“We are looking okay. Our record (3-2) is not as good as we want it to be. We have not had a full game with our full roster. Against Crescenta Valley (lost 26-19), we had two starters out. Against Fullerton (lost 27-23), I was out for most of the game and two other starters were out due to injury.”

Is there a game left on the schedule you are hyped to play?

“I wanted it to be this game against Saugus (Oct. 6). I am excited about our next game against Valencia (Oct. 13) and for the game against Hart (Oct. 27). I’m excited about playing against JT Shrout (2018 quarterback).”

The Grizzlies get Saugus on Friday, how will their offense and defense challenge you guys?

“They try to run the ball down your throat. We have to keep them to a minimum. We have to play strong on defense and stop their run game before things get going.”

Switching over to recruiting. Have you taken any unofficial visits this fall?

“No, sir. I might take a visit on Oct. 13 to Michigan for the Michigan verses Michigan State game – a late birthday present to myself.”

Nice. Do you have any other planned visits for this fall?

“I’m trying to make it another USC game and to a UCLA home game.”

Are any teams still in regular contact with you besides USC hoping to sway you away from the Trojans?

“Yeah, Michigan, Texas, UCLA, and Florida recently started talking to me. That’s pretty much it.”

De’Gabriel, thanks for your time today and good luck on Friday against Saugus.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; De’Gabriel Floyd at a Nike camp

Photo credit: khts.com; De’Gabriel Floyd at Golden Valley