California 2016 LB Arthur Kaslow Talks Dartmouth Commitment

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The high school ranks are filled with “athletes” year after year, especially in California. Some athletes are able to play multiple positions well enough to garner college scholarship offers on both sides of the ball or at multiple positions on the same side of the ball. Other recruits are just physically gifted all the way around with the ability to do pretty much anything they want in sports. Calabasas High School linebacker/defensive end Arthur Kaslow is the gifted kind able to play multiple positions picking up the sport of football in just enough time to earn an Ivy League college education.

Kaslow started his high school career playing basketball but added football to his list of hobbies entering his junior year. After four games he was named a starter for Calabasas High School and went on to lead his team with 86 tackles and 14 tackles for a loss in 11 games. With a little bit of technique polish to his athleticism, along with 25 pounds of muscle, the now 6’3”, 255 pound, talent proved his worth as a senior coming up with 118 total tackles, 10 sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and a mind numbing 30 tackles for a loss.

Most colleges were slow coming around to see Kaslow’s budding talents. San Diego and Cal Poly San Louis Obispo extended offers but the attraction of playing for the Big Green was too much. On Saturday, Kaslow silently committed to Dartmouth before making his announcement public on Sunday. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Kaslow to get the background story on his commitment to the Big Green.

Interview

Arthur, what influenced you to commit to Dartmouth over offers from schools closer to home?

“I love it there. This weekend was my second time to take a visit to Dartmouth (Hanover, NH). I loved the way the coaches interacted with the players and the way they treated my mother. I loved how welcoming all the players were. When we were walking around the school I knew I wanted to be there the whole time.”

How did the commitment take place over the weekend?

“We had a meeting with Head Coach (Buddy) Teevens on Saturday night. I decided to commit then. After that, I did not announce it until Sunday until I talked to the other coaches that had recruited me and cancelled my other visits.”

What was the reaction of the Coach Teevens when you committed?

“The first thing he said – his response was “you commit to us, we commit to you, welcome to the family.” I think they knew going into the weekend that I was going to commit. Not a big surprise for them, but a great moment for me.”

How did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed? Nervous, excited –

“It was – excited is an understatement, an amazing moment. I was sitting there with my mom. When I said it was all over. All of the recruiting and uncertainty was over and now I’m part of a team. It is a great feeling when you want the school and they want you. I was very happy in that moment.”

What visits did you have lined up?

“Next weekend I was supposed to go to University of San Diego, then Holy Cross, and then Cal Poly San Louis Obispo.”

Do you plan on recruiting other players to join you?

Actually, on the visit we had a majority of the players there commit then. After that, we had more commit. I don’t know any of the players personally being recruited by Dartmouth.”

It is really early in the process, but did the coaching staff start talking to you about your offseason focus and workout routine? Also, did they talk to you about how they are going to use you in their defensive scheme?

“Right now it’s more about the application process getting into an Ivy League school. I won’t be officially admitted until April. I’m working on my application now. I’m working on all of that now. They’ll get us on an incoming freshman workout program, but I’m not sure when. They plan on having me playing a very similar position as I played in high school (inside linebacker/outside 3-4 linebacker).”

Overall, how was the recruiting process for you?

“My recruiting was slow for a little bit and then I started to get recruited by Dartmouth, and that was basically it. That’s what I have been up to. The recruiting process was fun and easy for me.”

You had an outstanding senior season, what individual honors did you end up earning?

“I won All-County by the Ventura Star and I was the Daily News Preps Defensive Player of the Year. I was also League co-MVP with my quarterback, Tristian Gebbia (4-star).”

Arthur, thanks for your time today and congratulations on your commitment to Dartmouth. Good luck in college with the Big Green.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: scout.com; Arthur Kaslow.

Photo credit: Kaslow family; Arthur with head coach Buddy Teevens.