Interview: Dowling Catholic 2018 DE John Waggoner Already Prepping for Iowa Title Defense
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Winning a championship in any sport is an amazing accomplishment. Winning four consecutive is a feat at a whole other level. Dowling Catholic head coach Tom Wilson has something special going on and a star player on the roster ready to help bring a fifth consecutive Iowa 4A state title home in 2017.
The last time Dowling Catholic went home without hardware for the display case was in 2012. Southeast Polk knocked the Maroons out of the playoffs then, but since then Dowling has been on a roll posting a record of 52-2. Dowling added another banner to the rafters in 2016 compiling a 12-1 record with a 23-10 championship game win over Iowa City West. One of the leaders on the team was junior defensive end John Waggoner.
Waggoner was part of a defense that only allowed an average of 10.6 points per game while the offense motored through the season posting an average of 41 points per contest. There was a lot of time on the sidelines in the second half of games taking in water watching underclassmen gain experience but during his time on the field, Waggoner tallied an estimated 25 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, and forced a fumble. In a highlight play for the season, he even batted a pass up in the air in the opposition’s backfield, hauled it in, and strolled in for a pick-six.
National interest is growing in the 6-5, 230 pound, defender. Florida State, Michigan State, Stanford, UCLA, Purdue, Northern Iowa, Nebraska, and Notre Dame are among the schools showing reported interest. The early recruiting battle for Waggoner has been a Hatfield and McCoys kind of feud between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State Cyclones.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Waggoner after Dowling’s championship winning season getting an overview on his play on the field while receiving an update on his recruiting process.
Interview
John, I have to ask you about your pick-six. What was going through your mind throughout that play?
(Laughs) “I tipped it up in the air. When it was in the air, I see I have a chance to catch it. It seemed like it hung in the air forever. I caught it and immediately started thinking ‘don’t fumble it.’ I walked into the end zone and then I pointed, I’m not sure what I was pointing at.”
From the Sept. 9 loss to Valley (16-9) to the Maroons’ run to the state title, what was the difference for the team from the loss to winning it all the rest of the season?
“The loss to Valley was good for us in the long run. That was a gut check with some adversity. It would have been nice to get another shot at Valley (playoffs). That was a big point in the season knowing we can be beaten. We knew we had to play our best each game after Valley or we could lose.”
Which team was the toughest team you played this season?
“Either Valley or (Iowa) City West. Both were pretty tough up front. (Alex) Kleinow, he’s an ISU tackle commit (2017), he was really tough.”
Who were some of the other top players that gave you a good game this season?
“There were a lot of them. I’d say Kleinow and Jevon Mason. Mason was a really good running back we faced (Valley). There were lots of good players we went up against this year.”
How did you game improve this year?
“I felt more instinctive reading my blocks and with my footwork this year. I got quicker off the ball. My pass rush improved too.”
What feedback do you get from college coaches on your game?
“They like my motor and that I have a good attitude and that I’m a good leader. They like that I have a good frame and I’m big.”
What are you going to work on this off-season?
“I’m trying to keep getting bigger, faster, and stronger. Speed will be really important. Developing as a player is important too. The main one is speed and keep trying to put on weight.”
During the off-season what was the best 40-yard dash time you ran?
“I ran a 4.8 at an Iowa State camp.”
Do you remember your weight room maxes from the summer?
“My bench was 335 (pounds), squat 450, and my power clean was 280. My vertical is 34 (inches).”
Impressive. Have you received any postseason honors yet?
“I was name All-State first team by the Iowa Newspaper Association and first team All-District.”
Which schools are showing interest in you but have not offered you yet?
“I took a visit out to UCLA for their game against USC at the Rose Bowl. I get mail from Purdue, Stanford, Michigan State – they invited me to a game, Nebraska, and Vanderbilt are the main schools.”
Your offer from Iowa State came during a camp performance (June 4). How did they present you with the offer?
“I went to their camp, I had visited there for a basketball game earlier in the year. I went to camp, played well, and after the camp their defensive line coach said they were going to offer me. I met with Coach (Matt) Campbell and he offered me.”
Your Iowa offer came on Sept. 1, how did that come about for you?
“That was the first day they could start talking to you on the phone. The Iowa coaches told me to call Coach (Kirk) Ferentz, he offered me.”
Do you have any unofficial visits planned coming up?
“Not yet.”
What is your cumulative GPA?
“I’m around a 3.9.”
What is the best score you have received on the ACT or SAT?
“I got a 23 on the ACT but I am going to take it again.”
The college football playoffs are set. Which teams do you think will meet in the championship game?
“Alabama for sure and I think Ohio State will get Clemson. Alabama will win it.”
John, thanks for your time today. Good luck with your off-season workouts.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: The Des Moines Register; No. 94 John Waggoner tracks down a sack.
Photo credit: Waggoner family; John Waggoner (right) visiting Iowa.
Photo credit: Waggoner family; John Waggoner (left) at Iowa State.