Interview: 4-Star Arkansas 2018 ATH Nathan Page is Too Good for Any School to Pass On

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Lavishing verbal praise to anyone has to be backed up with the goods. Throwing superlatives towards Robinson High School’s Nathan Page only makes scholars of us all.

Page absolutely kicked the recruiting door wide-open during his sophomore season lining up anywhere and everywhere possible. The Senators gave the 6-foot, 185 pound, talent 16 carries yielding 202 yards, a 12.6 yard per carry average. Head coach Todd Eskola lined him up on the outside seeing Page pull in 44 passes for 731 yards with eight touchdowns.

As if Page’s all-purpose nature was not enough on offense, he also notched 260 yards taking back kicks with three touchdowns off seven returns. On defense, Page lined up at free safety coming up with an impressive stat line alone with 81 tackles, 35 solo, two tackles for a loss, six interceptions – returned for 84 more yards, six pass deflections, one forced fumble. At least two of those interceptions were pick-sixes.

That kind of production gets attention quickly. Page was named first team Arkansas Preps and Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Super Sophomore along with All-Conference and All-State honors, and a four-star ranking. The only honors befitting all of the play on the field that has not come yet are the college scholarship offers – but all the offers are just around the corner.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Page to get a rundown on his various skill sets, an overview on what he is working on in the offseason, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Nathan, you had an outstanding season all-around. One game caught my eye. Correct me if I am wrong but did you have a five catch 201 yard game against Dover?

(Laughs) “Yes.”

What an amazing stat line. How was that game for you?

“That was one of my better games. I was like “I can get used to that.”

If you will, give me an overview on your 2015 season.

“I feel like I had a pretty good season as a sophomore. I felt like I could have done better and I should have been in the weight room working on getting bigger so I could have better stats.”

When did you get the call up to varsity?

“I played the last three games at the varsity level with Catholic High (Little Rock) my freshman year.”

What are your strengths on the field as a wide receiver?

“I feel like I have great feet and if the quarterback throws me the ball, I will go get it and catch it. I feel like I can tell what the corner is trying to do so I can get off the line and get open. If he is outside, I can tell where to break. That kind of stuff.”

What about at free safety, what are some of the skills you have at that position?

“At free safety, my range and my vision are two of my skills.”

Which position is your best?

“I’m not sure.”

Which do you like playing more?

“I just love being out on the field.”

What are your goals for the 2016 football season?

“Coach (Brian) Maupin and I have set some goals. My weight is one. I’m trying to get to 195 or to 200 by the start of the season. My speed is another. I’m trying to get a 4.4. I’m in the weight room working on that, working on getting stronger. Another goal is going to these camps this summer and shinning at those.”

Your speed on film looks like you already run a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. What is your fastest 40 so far?

“4.5 – if somebody is running after me, I will run faster than a 4.5.!”

(Laugh) Have you maxed out on bench or squat this offseason?

“Yes. My bench was 235 (pounds) and my squat was 415.”

Nice. Where all will we see you line up in 2016? All the same positions?

“Yes. I think I will just play safety and wide receiver and on special teams.”

Which schools are showing interest in you?

“Arkansas, Alabama, TCU, Auburn, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Clemson.”

Are you going to any camps this summer?

“On June 4, I’m going to an Iowa State camp. I’m also planning to go to a LSU, Alabama, Arkansas, Oregon, and Washington camp.”

Wow. You’re going to be busy.

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“I’ve visited Arkansas, Louisiana Tech, and Arkansas State. I was supposed to go to Memphis and Kansas State. One of those days I was sick another a family thing came up and I could not go.”

How did your trip to Arkansas go?

“It was great. I love the coaches there. I’ve been talking to Coach Lunney. It went well. Their weight room was nice. It was great there. I love the facilities and atmosphere up there.”

How did your trip to Arkansas State go?

“I liked Arkansas State too. They have a bunch of new stuff. They have new stands coming in. I liked the coaches there.”

Have any of the schools told you why they have not offered you yet?

“They are waiting for my ACT score. If I get at least a 19 I’ll start getting offers.”

Are you going to wait to take the ACT or are you going to take it this summer?

“I’m taking it in June.”

Did you get a coaches’ visit from Alabama recently?

“Yes. Coach (Billy) Napier came by. I ran routes for him. It was a great meeting him. He said he loves my speed. He compared me to the guy from Ashdown (Montaric Brown – 2017), but I’m bigger (6-1, 175). That’s good for me. I have time to mature.”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“It’s good. I have a 2.9 but I’m trying to get it up to a 3.0.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“My favorite subject is probably science.”

It is really early for you but have you started thinking about a degree you would like to pursue?

“I’m not sure yet. Maybe something in physical therapy.”

Do you play any other sports for Robinson?

“Basketball, used to play baseball, and I run track.”

Which events in track?

“The 4×4 and 100.”

What was your best time in the 100 this spring?

“11.2.”

Impressive again. How did the basketball season go for you?

“We had a good season. The last six games of the season I average 22 to 26 points a game.”

Better watch out or you’re going to start gaining interest in basketball too.

(Laughs)

Which sport do you like better, football or basketball?

“Football over basketball. I’ll always pick football.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“Getting closer to my teammates, getting to know them. If something happens knowing that I have people that my back is great.”

Nathan, thanks for your time today and good luck with all the upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Page family; No. 3 Nathan Page with No. 6 TJ Hammonds (Arkansas – 2016) and No. 1 Koilan Jackson (Arkansas – 2017).

Photo credit: arkansasonline.com; Nathan Page pulls down a pass in practice.

Photo credit: Page family; Nathan Page Nike Opening SPARQ score.