Interview: 5-Star California 2017 LS Kyle Gibbs Talks Navy Commitment

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

In the competitive world of high school football, the opportunity to gain a full-ride scholarship should never be taken for granted. Aspiring athletes across the country, thousands upon thousands, would love to play college football but see those dreams and hopes dashed for various reasons year after year.

The competition for top players is a top down affair with key positions on offense and defense typically desired to be filled first with special teams, more times than not, an afterthought. Coaches preach executing all three phases but few take all three phases as serious as they preach out on the recruiting trail. With a recruiting focus on special teams, a kicker is the most desired followed by a punter with long snappers, despite their importance in two different actions, viewed as the final roster spot on the team. Anytime a long snapper gets a scholarship offer; that is a really big deal and speaks to the program’s desire to win and the recruits’ abilities on the field.

On Aug. 1, Navy took one of the top long snappers in the nation off the board when they received a verbal commitment from Norco High School’s (Norco, CA) long snapper Kyle Gibbs. Gibbs posted his commitment on Twitter reading, “Excited and blessed to say I have committed to the United State Naval Academy” accompanied with a statement:

Gibbs is out of the Chris Rubio camp. Rubio is considered the guru of long snapping year after year helping high school players across the country fulfill their dreams of playing collegiate football at all levels. Gibbs worked his way up through Rubio’s system from a novice to a 4.5-star ranked player by the spring of 2016 attending camp after camp and competition after competition across the country. During the off-season, Gibbs worked from being a 6’2”, 220 pound, talent to a 6’2”, 230 pound, can’t miss five-star recruit.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down the No. 3 ranked long snapper in the nation to get the inside scoop on his commitment to Navy along with a quick Norco team preview.

Interview

Kyle, first, congratulations on your commitment to Navy.

“Thank you.”

What made Navy the team for you?

“The overall aspect of everything Navy has to offer. The football aspect, serving my country, the coaching history at Navy, and the potential to start as a freshman.”

How did you commit to Navy?

“I called head coach Ken Niumatalolo directly. He was excited about my commitment. That was about it. He told me to call Coach (Justin) Davis (assistant head coach), so I called him and I called the coach that recruited me out of California, Coach (Preston) Pehrson (recruiting coordinator).”

You said Coach Niumatalolo was excited. What all did the different coaches say or do when you told them you were committed?

“They were extremely excited. They were excited to have another one join the brotherhood. They said they were excited about having me for the next four years and excited about developing me into a young man and a leader.

“They have talked a lot about New England Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona (El Cajon, CA). He was a fifth round pick of the Patriots (2015 draft) out of Navy. Cardona reached out to me after I committed – that was really cool.”

What did Cardona say to you?

“He told me congratulations and he was really excited about my commitment. When I visited (Navy) in June, Bill Belichick (Patriots head coach) talked to all of us about what a great player Cardona is and that he is one of the leaders on the team.”

Nice. Back to your commitment, at the moment when you were about to commit, how did you feel as you were about to make this big decision?

“I was excited. It was a weight to get off my shoulders. We start on fall practices on Wednesday. I didn’t want to have to worry about what I am doing for the next four years with recruiting during the season. Now I can focus on football and being a better snapper.”

When you visited Navy in June, what all did you do during that visit?

“The campus is beautiful. We went around the field, saw the facilities in the stadium and they showed us all the equipment. We talked to coaches and they showed us the campus. That area is really beautiful. The campus is right on the water. When I visited I knew that is where I wanted to go for sure.”

What have you been working on during the off-season?

“I’ve been working with my instructor Matt Wigley (Rubio instructor). I’ve also been working with Rubio competing in the Top 12 in Florida and I went to the Top Gun Camp in South Carolina. That was the Army All-American Game tryout camp. I was the runner-up by a half an inch.”

That’s tough. What is your Rubio rating now?

“I’m a five-star now and the No. 3 long snapper in the nation.”

Congratulations.

“Thank you.”

How does Norco look heading into the season?

“We look great. We are young but good. Our linebacker corps is great our quarterbacks are great athletes. Overall I think we will have a good season.”

Are there any games on the schedule you are excited to play this year?

“Our first game (Aug. 26) against Desert Ridge (AZ). I think that is the Brothers in Arms Classic. In Week 3 we play Orange Lutheran (Sept. 16) and we play Centennial (Oct. 28); that is our ninth game of the season. That game is always for a CIF title in our district.”

Kyle, thanks for your time today and good luck with the 2016 season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Gibbs family; Kyle Gibbs at Navy.

Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Kyle Gibbs at Norco.