Another rising Division-I talent emerging from California’s Windward HS

An exclusive interview with Los Angeles OG Nate Meadows

 

College coaches recruiting on the West Coast have several “must stop” locations to hit when making the rounds in California, one of them is Windward High School in Los Angeles. Windward consistently puts out Division-I talent and offensive guard Nate Meadows is another in a line of talented players destined for next level opportunities.

Meadows, 6’4”, 270 pounds, was a two-way starter for the Wildcats as a sophomore after playing his way into the starting lineup as a freshman on the offensive line. With the help of Class of 2015 USC offensive tackle commitment Roy Hemsley (6’7”, 275 pounds), Meadows helped clear the way for running backs and kept the quarterback upright with the team finishing 7-3 in 2013.

With a bloodline that includes a father that played for University of Georgia, a Class of 2016 defensive end recruit, Breland Brandt, with offers from Alabama, Arizona State, Miami, UCLA, USC, and Washington, to compete against in practice, and a fellow offensive lineman in Hemsley with next level abilities, motivation and opportunity surround Meadows helping guide him to the college game.

In a one-on-one interview, Meadows talked about the 2014 Wildcats football season, offseason workouts, and the possibility of playing in college.

 

Windward was 7-3 last season, how does the team look going into 2014?

“We have a lot of room for improvement. We lost a lot of seniors but overall we did well last year. This year I believe we need more leadership to help the team be successful. We’re trying to communicate more with the younger players on the team. A lot of sophomores and freshmen are trying to step it up to make contributions this year. All of the offensive linemen are trying to get faster and stronger.”

Meadows continues, “We have a new starting quarterback Kyle Brisacher (junior). We’re trying to build chemistry with the new offense around him.”

What are the strengths of this year’s football team?

“We have a great defense. We have a couple of players with big offers from schools like Alabama with one committed to USC. Our offense should be really strong with running back Josh Chambers (junior) returning. He sat out last season with an injury but played as a freshman. We were more of a passing team last year. I think we’ll be more of a running team this year.”

What will make the Wildcats more successful this year?

“If we play as a team we will be successful. If we can communicate better with one another on the field we’ll be good.”

Is Coach Alvin Cowan changing your role at all in 2014?

“They have me playing both ways again this year and playing some special teams too. They want me to be more of a leader on the team.”

What are you doing in the offseason to prepare for the upcoming season?

“My goal for 2014 is to get faster, increase my strength and lean out. In the offseason I’ve been working out with my team and my trainer. My trainer is a former football coach and former body builder.”

Are you going to any day camps or college camps in the offseason?

“I attended the University of South Carolina camp last year, it was a very good learning experience.”

What are your thoughts on your individual performance in 2013?

“I did okay. I know I need improvement. I need to be more consistent with my run blocking but I did okay last year.”

What are your strengths on the field?

“My ability to be coached and work well with other lineman. I’m able to coordinate blocking assignments with the lineman (pre-snap to help set protection for the play).”

What about your physical attributes as an offensive lineman?

“I pull well and I’ve got good side to side movement. I’m a good pass protector too. I need to improve on getting to the linebacker better after finishing first block. I’m working on my speed to be able to get to the linebackers.”

Have any college coaches made contact with you yet?

“I met with an Arizona State coach but no other contacts yet.”

If you had your choice of where you could play in college, where would you go?

“I’d really like to stay in California. I like UCLA and USC. My dream school oustside of the state would be Oregon.”

Was there an event or person that inspired you to play football?

“My dad has inspired my football career. We were playing catch on the beach when I was a kid. He started talking to me about his high school playing days and playing for Georgia. That got me inspired to chase that dream my dad put in my head.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“My favorite part is the brotherhood. The brotherhood developed on the football field is not something that comes easy to many people off the field. Not many people can develop the close bonds that players do.”

 

With two more seasons to showcase his abilities to college coaches and a frame that will allow him to beef up, Nate Meadows is on the path to be another Windward Wildcat player headed to the college game. When speaking with Nate, his passion for the game comes across proudly. Watching this rising star tap into his given talents as he matures and progresses will be fun to see.