Interview: Heading Hunting 2018 Louisiana SS Israel Mukuamu Talks Florida State Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Some people are just more physically gifted and talented than the rest of us. Where the gifts become something truly special is when said player does not take the blessings for granted showing dedication and commitment to one’s craft. When the crossroads of talent, desire, and hard work intersect on the gridiron, fans of the game are given guys like Israel Mukuamu to appreciate. The beneficiary of all the hard work that has gone into Mukuamu’s progress on the field at the collegiate level, as announced on Monday, is the Florida State Seminoles.
Moncks Corner in South Carolina very easily could have been called ‘The Mukuamu Nightmare’ during the 2016 season. If ever there was a player receivers begged their quarterbacks to throw away from or to not lead in his direction across the middle, it would be Mukuamu. The 6-4.5, 187 pound, beast put the fear of God into 60 ball carriers during the 2016 season while breaking up seven pass with a pick and two forced fumbles from his safety position.
The player built like a linebacker but with corner cover skills caught the eye of Division-I programs throughout the nation tallying 20 scholarship offers before his commitment. Some of the hopefuls included Georgia, Ole Miss, Georgia Southern, Florida, South Carolina, Charlotte, Indiana, Louisiana Tech, Purdue, SMU, Southern Miss, Coastal Carolina, Old Dominion, Wake Forest, UTEP, Oklahoma State, and Louisville. Teams like Alabama, LSU, and Clemson had their chance with Mukuamu this summer but did not pull the trigger; their loss is Florida State’s gain.
Another gain made was in South Carolina, for opposing offenses. In January, Mukuamu transferred from the Stags program to Parkway High School in Bossier City, Louisiana. The move puts the four-star talent from one of the best teams in South Carolina to one of the best teams in the Sportsman’s Paradise at the 5A level. The new team pairs Mukuamu with standouts like four-star quarterback Justin Rogers (TCU commit) and five-star receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. The ability to put Marshall on one side of the field on offense with Mukuamu on the other side, knowing Rogers is delivering dimes, is a whole other nightmare Louisiana teams will have to prepare for during the 2017 season.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Mukuamu shortly after he publicly announced his verbal commitment to the Seminoles getting the inside scoop on the how and why it all came together.
Interview
Israel, congratulations on your commitment to FSU.
“Thank you.”
Let’s lead into the commitment starting with a little bit about last year. I have to ask; you are basically a linebacker playing safety. Have you made a receiver or running back cry out on the field yet?
(Laughs) “I think I made one running back cry during my sophomore year.”
What happened?
“The running back was coming down the alley. I took his legs out, he fumbled the ball. He did not come back in the game after that hit.”
Who are you most often compared to with your play?
“I get compared to a lot of people. I think I can be the next Jalen Ramsey (FSU – Jacksonville Jaguars) type with the ability to play corner and safety in college.”
How did your game get better last season?
“Before the season started, back in the spring of 2016, one of my coaches at Berkeley introduced me to Chachi Sullivan. He is one of the best DB coaches in the country. He developed my game even more. Before I was playing off talent and ability. After working with Coach Sullivan, my technique got better and I became a better all-around player.”
You transferred from Berkeley High School to Parkway in the off-season, how has the move and transfer gone for you so far?
“The transfer went well. When I first transferred, I transferred in January, my recruiting slowed down. It started to pick up in the spring. Thanks to God I did not get lost in the move. I know that happens a lot.”
How have spring and summer practices gone with Parkway so far?
“Tremendously hard. We’ve been working hard. We are the projected No. 1 5A team in Louisiana. We are trying to bring the championship home this year.”
How will Parkway utilize your athleticism during the 2017 season?
“I think they want to start me off at safety, where I am best. If we face a big or good receiver, they might move me to corner. I will be all over the field this year on defense. On offense, I’m at wide out. I might get a touchdown here and there.”
If they are double-teaming Terrace (Marshall), with you on the other side how will teams stop you guys?
“That is what my coach has been telling me. He said we might need you if they are double-teaming Terrace.”
Going into your recruiting. Which college camps did you attend this summer?
“I went to camps at Alabama, LSU, FSU, and Clemson. I visited Florida this summer but did not camp there.”
Which camp was your best performance?
“I showed out at all the camps. I did well at LSU, Clemson, and FSU. FSU was the only one to pull the trigger between those three.”
What did you do well at the FSU camp?
“I did a lot of things well. The reason why they wanted me to camp there, they wanted to see if I could play corner. They wanted to see me in bump-and-run and man coverage. They were surprised. I was excited to show them what I could do.”
What is the best 40-yard dash time you’ve ran this summer?
“4.6.”
Obviously, a strong connection was made during the camp with the coaching staff? How did that bond grow during the camp and with your unofficial visit on campus?
“Friday (June 16) was when I camped there a couple weeks back. Before the camp was over, Jimbo Fisher (head coach) told my brother he wanted to see us in his office after camp. When we met with him in his office, he told me he loved me, I was a great player, and he hopes he has a chance of getting me.
“My brother told me before the camp, they have great DBs at FSU. They are long and talented like you. Their defensive backs coach, Coach (Charles) Kelly (and defensive coordinator), told me they liked me on tape before the camp. That Sunday, Coach (Jeremiah) Wilson (grad assistant) and my brother texted each other. Coach Wilson asked me to stop by again to see the whole facility. Coach Wilson called Coach Kelly letting him know I was coming to campus for a tour. This is what made me realize that they really wanted me. It was Father’s Day (June 18). Coach Kelly left dinner with his wife to be with me. That really meant a lot to me.”
What were the other factors that led you to commit to FSU?
“Their defensive system. They play a lot of DBs and put DBs in the NFL. They are improving their players’ abilities in the program. One thing my brother told me before I started taking visits, he said to make sure the team has a player like you on the roster. That means they will be able to use you and will know how to develop you.”
How do the Seminoles plan to use you within their scheme?
“Coach Kelly told me straight up he thinks I can play any position in the secondary. He said I will play them all. He said he puts the best players out on the field. If I am one of the best, I will be out there.”
You announced today, but when did you commit?
“I committed a couple of days ago, sometime last week. Maybe Tuesday or Wednesday. I already knew I was going there, I was just trying to decide when to announce it.”
Which coach did you commit to on the staff?
“I told Coach Wilson first and then Coach Kelly. I called Coach Fisher after that.”
What was it like for you just before you committed? What was going through your head, what emotions were you feeling at that time?
“I was nervous a little bit. I still cannot believe I will be attending FSU. I always wanted to play D-I football. Seeing it on TV – now I might be on TV playing for FSU. It is so surreal.”
What has the recruiting process been like for you?
“Very adventurous, stressful, and exciting. At the beginning, I was waiting on someone to believe in me. Offers started coming in, but when I moved it stopped for a couple of months. As spring went along, I followed coaches on Twitter sharing my highlights with them. They started DM-ing me back, and here I am today.”
What did you do to celebrate your commitment?
“I celebrated with my friends and family. We went out to eat. I can’t wait to get home to celebrate with my parents.”
Israel, thanks for your time today and, again, congratulations on your commitment to Florida State.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credits: 247Sports; Israel Mukuamu at a camp