Interview: Breakout Season Awaiting 2019 Texas JUCO DL Brandon Rolfe
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Another round of spring practices has come to an end at Cisco Junior College leading to another under the radar talent ready to explode onto the recruiting scene. Last season Cisco put Solomon Hunter, Michael Clemons, Elijah Timarky, Edd Hardeman, and Sidney Murray, to name a few, out on the field. The staff maybe new at Cisco but the results from the spring are the same with Brandon Rolfe being the next in a long line of prospects ready to have his in-box filled with messages from college coaches.
Rolfe ended his high school career with Commerce High School developing his skillset against 3A Texas competition. During his senior season, Rolfe had a rough stat line of 40 tackles and five sacks playing defensive tackle and end earning District Defensive Player of the Year honors. Rolfe signed with Blinn JUCO attending classes over the summer but transferred to Cisco for the fall redshirting in 2016.
With a year in the weight room and on the JUCO practice field under his belt, the now 6-5, 290 pound, defender, up from 6-5, 260, is ready to showcase his skills for college coaches. Rolfe’s spring reel shows his developing talents, strength, size, and long arms working to put an end to plays at the line of scrimmage and in the backfield. Rolfe enters his redshirt freshman season placing high expectations upon his own shoulders. College interest is already starting to trickle in for Rolfe. A season dominating Texas JUCO competition will place Rolfe among the top recruits at his position as a talent that could potentially be added to the 2018 recruiting class or to the 2019.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Rolfe covering his spring practices and growing recruiting interest.
Interview
Brandon, before we cover spring practices let’s backtrack a little. How did your high school career go?
“I felt like it went very well. I accomplished the goals I set for myself. I won Defensive Player of the Year for our district voted by the coaches during my senior year. I had five sacks and 40 tackles playing both defensive end and defensive tackle. I felt like I showed that I am versatile on the field.”
Did you play any offense during your senior year?
“I played some offensive tackle. There were some games I was at offensive tackle when we needed help, but my primary position was on the defensive line.”
How did your game improve during your high school career?
“I feel like I elevated my game. I did extra work, lifted weights, ran, worked on my hands, and developed my finesse and pass rush moves. I was one of the biggest guys on the field. I was athletic and I could move.”
How has your game expanded since you started playing JUCO ball?
“I think I was just a raw talent coming out of high school. The redshirt season helped me I got stronger, faster, and I understand the game more. In high school, you can line up and whip the guy across from you easily. In college, you have to take defeat knowing you are not the biggest guy. Everything does not come easy so you have to work harder to win your battles.”
What defensive formation does Cisco execute?
“4-3.”
How did the coaching staff utilize you during spring ball?
“I started off second string and worked my way into first string. They like my size and my toughness. I got the job down. They wanted me at nose guard and at the 3-technique. I will rotate in with the 3-technique next season.”
Are you excited about playing nose guard and defensive tackle next season?
“Yes, sir. I think it is better for me. I’m not as fast as I once was. I think it was a good adjustment for me going from end to the inside.”
Do you have a weight gain goal for next season?
“Right now I am at 290, 6-5. I want to be at 300 next season, a healthy 300.”
What was the focus for you on the field during spring practices with Cisco?
“It was my pad level. Being a taller guy I had to work on my pad level and using more of my hands. It is hard coming into college thinking you can work over everyone but you have to work your technique. I have room for improvement.”
What are your goals over the summer before starting up fall camp?
“My goal, I want to improve my motor and improve my strength. I want to get my bench to 385 and my squat at 500. My goal next year to be the starting nose guard for Cisco College.”
Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?
“Central Florida is the main one. I have been in contact with Coach Ryan Held (recruiting coordinator). There are a lot of schools that follow me on Twitter. I have a lot of D-II schools showing interest too.”
When do you graduate from Cisco?
“December 2018, but my goal is to graduate by next spring.”
What is your GPA?
“3.8.”
What will it be like for you when you take the field for the first time as a college football player during the 2017 season?
“Man, I feel like it will be nerve racking but an experience I have wanted since I was 10 or 11 years old. I am living my dream. I hope the experience will be great for me. I know it will be.”
Brandon, thanks for your time today and good luck with your summer workouts.
“Thank you.”
Click the link to see Brandon Rolfe’s spring practice highlight reel.
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Photo credit: Rolfe family; Brandon Rolfe at a Cisco practice.
Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 56 Brandon Rolfe with Commerce in 2016.