Catch up Interview with Globe JUCO OL Maso Dodd

Written by Ryan Wright

Once the 2015 college football season has started to take its toll on Division-I teams and college coaches begin looking to fill immediate voids for the following year in their 2016 recruiting class along the offensive line, watch for Maso Dodd to be a top target across the nation.

Dodd already has the respect of other JUCO coaches being named as one of the Top Returning Offensive Lineman in conference for Globe Institute of Technology (Manhattan, NY). The Philadelphia area talent would have more than just interest from schools like Illinois, Syracuse, Arizona, Louisville, and Bethune Cookman had he not suffered a serious knee injury dislocating his knee during a one-on-one drill in practice last season.

As is the 6’3”, now 310 pound, lineman is ready to prove to D-I coaches that he is back and better than ever. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I caught up with Maso after a recent Knights’ practice to find out how his knee is responding to full-pad action, received a recruiting update, and more importantly found out some great classroom news on Dodd.

Interview
Maso, congratulations on being named a one of the top returning offensive linemen in the JUCO ranks by the coaches.

“Thank you.”

That says a lot about you coming off of your injury. By the way, how are you moving and feeling after coming back from your injury?

“I’d say I’m 100 percent. A lot of my coaches have been saying I’m moving faster and I’m way stronger than before the injury. That’s always a good sign. I’m getting to the second level easier, my footwork is better, and I feel stronger than I was before.”

Speaking of strength, you had some pretty monster numbers coming out of the weight room. What is your bench press and squat max now?

“I recently maxed out at 425 on bench and at squat I was at 545.”

Where is your weight now? Last time we talked you were at 320.

“I dropped down to 310.”

That’s awesome that you’ve increased your strength and dropping weight. I know you’ve always done well in school, but tell me about the President’s List you made.

“The President’s List is getting a 4.0 in a semester. They had to validate it to make sure that I got all A’s and a 4.0. They finally did and sent me my certificate.”

Congratulations.

“Thank you.”

What’s your cumulative GPA now?

“3.78 or 3.79, one of those two.”

Since we last talked have you had any new schools show interest in you?

“Utah State, Texas Southern, and West Virginia have been in contact. WVU said they’re really going to be keeping an eye on me this season to see how I do.”

Back to Globe, when did you guy start up your fall camp?

“We started on Aug. 1. We’ve been going seven days a week every since. We have our first scrimmage on Thursday and then our first game in two weeks (Sept. 5).”

What position have the coaches been playing you at during fall camp?

“I’m at left guard right now but sometimes in practice they switch me to tackle. I’m mainly at guard but I’m versatile enough that they can switch me to tackle.”

Have you had a chance to look at Globe’s 2015 schedule yet and if so are there a couple of games you are excited to play this year?

“I’m excited about all of them really, but the main game I’m really excited about is our first game against Lackawanna. They have a lot of D-I talent. This program that I am at has never beaten them on the field. I’m really pumped to see how we stack up against them this season because I think we have the talent to beat them.”

Did you get to do anything fun over the summer?

“I had a visit to University of Kansas set up but I had to reschedule the visit. I want to wait until after the season. Other than that I’ve really just been working out and focusing on the season.”

Do you have any other good or interesting news to share?

“I was named team captain by my coaches and teammates. I couldn’t be any happier to receive the honor.”

Congratulations and good luck this year on the gridiron. We will all be watching.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Maso Dodd; Maso at a Knight’s practice.