Interview: California 2017 TE/DE Sam Shadorf to Shine in Sierra Canyon’s Unstoppable Offense

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

If death and taxes are a given then tack Sierra Canyon’s offense onto the old phrase as being prolific. The Trailblazers have hit their stride being one of the best teams in California within their classification over the past two seasons. The defense has been stingy but the offense has been outright brutal.

The Trailblazers streaked to an 11-2 record in 2014 posting an average of 35 points per game with a lot of sophomore talent feeling their way through the step up in levels while learning the game in the process. The emerging talent took off during the 2015 schedule streaking to a 14-1 mark before a heartbreaking 36-35 loss in the fifth round of the CIF playoffs to San Marino. Throughout the season Sierra Canyon fired on all cylinders on offense averaging a mind blowing 49 points per game gauging the competition for 739 total points.

The offense was consistent and tough behind great coaching and the field leadership of junior quarterback Niko Harris. Harris threw for 3,260 yards with 47 touchdowns against just six interceptions completing 66 percent of his attempts. Harris formed a deadly one-two punch with another junior, running back Bobby Cole. Cole blistered defenses for 2,468 yards finding the end zone 29 times.

The receiving corps had three seniors in Kohl Hollinquest, Eric Markes, and Christian Graves. Each receiver pulled in at least 33 or more passes with at least 502 receiving yards seeing Hollinquest lead the bunch with 56 passes caught for 941 yards and 19 touchdowns. As the ball was spread around a go-to tight end started to emerge – Sam Shadorf.

Shadorf pulled in 10 passes for 118 yards putting points on the board five times in the passing attack. He even helped out in the ground game taking two end arounds for a total of 26 yards while coming up with another score. The now 6’4”, 225 pound, athlete also chipped in on defense at end tallying 82 tackles, 40 solo, 19 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, 19 quarterback hurries, three fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.

Interest from colleges scouting the Los Angeles area is starting to roll in for Shadorf. He was extended his first offer from Air Force on April 20 and has caught the eye of Washington, Princeton, Yale, and Fresno State among others. All the hard work is adding up to what should be a big breakout season on offense with three seniors graduating from the passing attack and with Harris back under center. Another standout season on the defensive side of the ball for Shadorf is sure to attract more attention from Division-I programs.

In a Recruiting News Guru interview, I sat down with Shadorf going over his junior season, his offseason workouts, and got a recruiting news update.

Interview

Sam, you had a really nice season on offense showing your ability to open holes in the run game and move the chains in the passing attack. At this point in your high school career what are your strengths on the field as a tight end?

“I think I’m great at catching the ball and getting open. I’m doing my best for my team out there and doing my best for Niko (Harris). My biggest strengths really are my hands and catching the ball.”

What about at defensive end? What are your strengths on that side of the ball?

“My biggest strength is my speed and getting around the corner getting to the quarterback. I’m good at getting by the line and causing havoc in the backfield.”

Did you earn any individual honors last season?

“I was second team All-Conference at tight end and defensive end.”

Nice. What are you working on offseason to prepare for your senior year?

“I’ve been throwing with Niko every day. We are getting our routes down to make sure we are the best we can be during our senior year. Any ball Niko throws I want to catch and I want to get open for him.”

What goals have you set for yourself for the offseason?

“My biggest goal is to get as big as I can. I’m on a nutrition plan, so I am eating as much as I can. I am constantly eating. I’m also always in the weight room.”

What is your weight gain goal?

“My idea is to be at 235 by the start of the summer.”

Have you maxed out on bench, squat, or power clean in the offseason?

“We have not done that yet. We do all of that at the end of the school year.”

What was the last 40-yard dash time you posted?

“We ran the 40 at the beginning of last season. I ran a 4.8 then.”

What are your goals for the 2016 football season?

“My biggest goal is to win a CIF Championship and hopefully a state championship. I want to do the best I can for my team my senior year.”

Will your role change this year? Will we see you in the slot or at other positions on defense?

“On defense I’ll still be at defensive end but on offense I’ve been moving around. I’ll play some on the outside at wide receiver and in the slot. Coach has me moving around and is setting me up to have a nice season.”

Have you started putting together a camp list for the summer?

“I’m hoping at beginning of the summer to go back east to visit some schools and go to as many camps back there as I can. Some of the camps we might go to are Princeton, Brown, Yale, and Harvard.”

Are you going to any west coast college camps?

“I’ll go to whatever camps that are local that I can go to this summer. I’m waiting until the end of the spring to see which colleges are showing the most interest to see which camps will be the most beneficial for me to attend.”

Are you going to any exposure camps in the offseason?

“I have to figure that out with my parents. I hope to attend some camps.”

There may be some overlap here but which schools are showing interest in you right now?

“I’ve been talking a lot to Princeton, Yale, obviously Air Force with their offer, Fresno State, and Washington.”

Do you have any unofficial visits set up?

“No. I’m hoping to go to Air Force soon.”

How did the Air Force offer come in for you?

“I had been talking to them on Twitter for a while. They came to my school and talked to Coach (Jon) Ellinghouse about me. Coach got me out of class and I sat down with Coach (Jake) Campbell and we talked for about 30 minutes. We had a great conversation. At the end of our talk he offered me. That was one of the best experiences of my life.”

When your time comes to choose a college, what are the main factors you will consider in choosing where you will go to school?

“I think football wise, I want a team I can feel at home with. One of my favorite parts about football is playing the game with some of my best friends. I’d like to be able to play how I play and be the best I can be. School wise, I want a school that I can use to benefit myself in the future.”

Is there a NFL player you watch on either side of the ball to learn more about the game?

“Yeah, at tight end I like watching Gronk (Rob Gronkowski – TE New England Patriots). His play is a huge thing. I learn so much from him. On defense, I like watching defensive end JJ Watt (Houston Texans). He is a monster. If I could be like either of those players that would be amazing.”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“My cumulative GPA is a 3.6 right now.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I took the ACT in April. I have not received my score yet. I’m waiting on that.”

How do you feel like you did?

“I hope I did well on it. I got a tutor for the test and I tried my best.”

Have you started thinking about what you want to major in while in college?

“Either business or entrepreneurial studies.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“Probably math. You always get a solid answer.”

I think you are the first person to answer that question that way. I like it. Have you had an experience in your life that has inspired you on the football field?

“Yeah, my grandfather (Barry) passing away. He was huge on football, him and my dad. He made me want to play football when I was younger. I think about him before every game.”

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

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 80 Sam Shadorf with No. 18 Niko Harris.

Photo credit: Shadorf family; Sam Shadorf with Air Force’s Coach Campbell.