Interview: Colleges are Finding Their Way to 2018 SDE Winston Polite as Signing Day Nears
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Featured Photo Credit: Raymond Joyce
Twitter: @RJPSports
How do you like your college football strong-side defensive ends? Big, fast, smart, capable, determined, an overall beast in the trenches… meet Class of 2018 end Winston Polite.
The trend for Polite on the field is angling near true to vertical after back-to-back monster seasons for Notre Dame High School. As a junior, Polite ran rough against opposing Mission League teams for 50 tackles, 21 tackles for a loss, and five sacks in stats posted through eight games. The motor for the now 6-5.25, 250 pound, playmaker went into the next gear during the 2017 campaign putting an end to 55 plays with 27 quarterback hurries, 14 tackles for a loss, six sacks, a forced fumble, a blocked punt, and a sweet tip drill pick in the playoffs against Calabasas.
Interest from across the nation has come in for the Los Angeles area product with Iowa, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas State, UNLV, Princeton, Penn, Yale, San Jose State, Fresno State, Boise State, and Cal all seeing who jumps on him first for a mad scramble to get his autograph on a letter of intent in February. A closer look at Polite shows a versatile lineman with experience playing the 3, 5 and rush end. The transcripts will burn a hole in your hand with a 3.153 GPA and a 1320 on the SAT.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Winston at the conclusion of a big senior year and during a recruiting process that is heating up.
Interview
Winston, before we jump into your recruiting process, update me on your senior season. How did everything go on the field?
“I played well. We made it to the first round of the playoffs, but unfortunately we were eliminated by Calabasas.”
Which areas of your game saw the most improvements in 2017?
“My pass rush and getting to the quarterback on a regular basis. I was using my hands and my technique to make plays this year. I also got an interception in our last game against Calabasas.”
When you talk to college coaches, what are they telling you they like about your abilities?
“They like that I can play the 5, 3, and rush end. They like my versatility because I can play any position needed.”
Have you started an offseason workout program?
“Yes. I have. I’m at Velocity and I’m working with Coach Garcia at school. I also have a nutritionist that is helping me.”
What are your offseason goals as you prep for the next level?
“I want to cut down my 40 time. I want to gain more muscle mass before college and increase my overall upper body strength.”
Which schools are showing recruiting interest?
“Colorado and Arizona have come by to see me at school. I have heard from Cal, Kansas State, Iowa, and Dixie State – they came by school talking about an official visit. I am going on an official to University of San Diego, they came by school as well. The same thing with Yale and Columbia, they have been in contact with me. I have received some D-III offers too. Coach (Jerry) Brady at UC-Davis, he’s been showing heavy interest in me as well.”
Which schools have offered you so far?
“USD (San Diego), Stetson, Pungent Sound, New England University, and Willamette.”
You’ve taken a lot of unofficial visits over the last year, have you taken any official or unofficial visits over the last two months?
“Yes, sir. I have visited Sacramento State on an official.”
How did the visit go?
“I liked the campus. The city is a lot of fun – Sacramento is a good city. I was there for a game day visit. It was a high scoring game against UC-Davis. I got to see both teams in one visit. Sacramento jumped out to a big lead but UC-Davis came back and made it a really good game. Sac State won.”
What all did you do during your visit?
“They brought us onto the field for pregame warmups. We had front row seats, but we could sit wherever we wanted to sit. I sat up higher to see everything. It was fun being on the field for warmups, seeing the size of the players was great.”
Nice. Last question, back to the field. Looking back, what are you most proud of with your game this season and how the team played this year?
“This team, we played together. We’re all friends. We all hang out together. We have pride playing together. We worked a lot better as a unit, there was no in-fighting as a team. We had a good group of players and we all worked together really well.”
Winston, thanks for the update on your season and recruiting. Good luck with the process as National Signing Day nears.
“Thank you.”
*Click link for Winston Polite’s Hudl reel
Photo credit: Polite family; Winston Polite Blue/Grey All-American jersey with Mark McMillan