Interview: De’Gabriel Floyd is that Top 2019 Do All Athlete Killing it on Both Sides of the Ball

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The old highlight show Wide World of Sports gave us the phrase “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” The phrase emphasizes that there is always a duality in competitive sports. Watching Hawkins High School roll out onto the field during the 2016 season other descriptive words came to mind like shock and awe as well as pity. The shock and awe was watching the emerging talents of running back/linebacker De’Gabriel Floyd and the pity was for the opposition on both sides of the ball trying to get in his way.

Hawkins High School spent the 2016 campaign as one of the best Division II teams in the state of California. The Los Angeles area squad posted a 13-1 record steamrolling through the schedule. One of the key assets to the great season was their 6-3, 210 pound, do it all athlete. In stats posted through 13 games played, Floyd carried the ball 65 times for 751 yards with five scores and hauled in one pass turning that into a 16-yard touchdown. On the other side of the ball, Floyd planted 85 ball carriers, 48 solo, with 15 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, and one forced fumble.

The stat line says a lot but does not paint a complete picture of the immense physical talents Floyd brings to the gridiron. Athletic – yes, without a doubt, but he also has great speed and quickness able to run sideline to sideline or breakaway from a defender stretching out another long run. He carries himself a certain way on the field that gives him a maturity beyond being a sophomore letting others know he is up to the challenge of being a leader for the Hawks. Whether he is running hard to pick up another first down or sprinting full-speed to drop a fearful ball carrier, Floyd stepped up to the call again and again in 2016.

The easy flow of words lavishing Floyd’s play is backed up by the opinion of 20 different Division I college programs. The list of teams wanting Floyd on their roster in 2019 includes USC, Baylor, Notre Dame, Oregon State, Boston College, Arizona State, Illinois, BYU, Colorado, Georgia, Nebraska, Fresno State, Pitt, San Jose State, Michigan, and Tennessee among others. One can expect that list to grow as Floyd continues to display his talents in off-season camps and during his junior season.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized Q&A, I sat down with the four-star prospect getting insight on his sophomore season, off-season workouts, and his recruiting process to date.

Interview

De’Gabriel, how can you tell when you have it going your way in a game from the running back position?

“When it is easier for me to see the holes and different seams to make a cut and get up field. When my vision is there I can get to work and do what I need to do.”

Have you already had defenders afraid to tackle you in a game?

“Yeah. They are usually standing straight up and then they will drop to hit me in my knees. Some will try to arm tackle and purposely miss.”

How did your progression come along as a running back last season?

“It did not go as well as I wanted it to. I had an ankle injury that slowed me down. I did not get as many carries as I should have. There are things I can work on.”

Will you get more than 65 carries next season?

“Most likely.”

You had it going on all year at end/outside linebacker. Going into your sophomore season did you expect to have the kind of season that you turned in for the Hawks?

“No, not really to be honest. I missed my entire freshman year. I did not have a chance to be ready for varsity. I was depended on by my coaches last season. They had high expectations. I gradually lived up to those expectations.”

How did your game get better on defense?

“It was me being athletic. The guys I was going up against were not as athletic as me. That set me up for the season I had.”

Will your role on defense change at all next season?

“I’m not sure to be honest.”

What were some of the learning curves you had to overcome on both sides of the ball in 2016?

“Being quicker to the ball – not hesitating, playing both ways, and on defense going 100 percent every snap.”

What are you working on this off-season?

“I’ve been doing a lot of speed work with Premium. I think it showed well at the Nike Opening (LA Regional). I did not plan on losing weight this off-season but that will help me on the field with my cuts and versatility next season.”

What is the best 40-yard dash time you’ve laid down?

“My best hand-timed was a 4.63. At the Opening I ran a laser 4.7.”

Have you maxed out in the weight room this off-season?

“No, sir. Not yet.”

You have a ton of recruiting interest, which positions are you receiving offers from with the different college programs?

“A lot of schools like me at linebacker. Some schools are excited for as a running back. USC was interested in me at linebacker. I lost weight and they saw my season. They are now open to putting me in more positions to see where I fit best.”

Which position do you like the best?

“I don’t have a preference. I just like playing. I like touching the ball but I also like playing defense.”

Which schools are showing interest in you but have not offered you yet?

“Washington sends me a lot of mail. Ohio State sends me a lot of messages on Twitter. Those are the two main ones.”

How many offers do you have?

“Twenty.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“Yes, sir. I recently went to Stanford, Cal, and Fresno State. Last Saturday I went up to USC. That’s it so far.”

How did the USC visit go?

“I liked it. I watched my position drills. They ran 11-on. They brought the big boys in. They showed me how they use their backers.”

Do you have any upcoming visits planned?

“I’m not sure. I think I am going to UCLA soon. I think we are going down South somewhere this summer I believe.”

What camps might you attend coming up this spring or summer?

“I’m going to the Rivals Three Stripe camp but for schools I’m not sure yet.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“Right now it is history.”

Are you playing any other sports for Hawkins?

“I was going to run track but decided not to.”

What aspects of the game do you love about football?

“I like scoring. It is a good feeling scoring a touchdown. I feel like it helps the team more putting points up on the board. On defense, I like hitting. I like using my athleticism to make a tackle.”

De’Gabriel, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: uscfootball.com; No. 6 De’Gabriel Floyd on the field (2016).

Photo credit: Floyd family; De’Gabriel Floyd at Cal (Feb. 2017).

Photo credit: Floyd family; De’Gabriel Floyd at Stanford (Feb. 2017).