Interview: Houston 2017 DT Kobie Whiteside is a Beast in the Trenches

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

There is a long line of Class of 2017 high school football recruits that have fallen in between the cracks of collegiate coaches’ radars. One Houston area talent that has repeatedly showed his skill set and value on the field but is still among the many being overlooked is Alief Taylor High School defensive tackle Kobie Whiteside.

Whiteside fits all the criteria a college coach would want in the trenches. He has size, speed, and great physical strength while playing with a motor that seemingly never quits. The 6-1, 308 pound tackle has a wealth of experience lining up against Texas 6A talent since his freshman season. All of the hard work culminated in being named Texas’ 23-6A Defensive MVP at the end of his senior campaign.

Eleven programs have extended an offer to Whiteside potentially getting one of the bigger steals come 2017’s National Signing Day. The schools liking what they see includes Bowling Green, Colorado State, Illinois, Louisiana-Monroe, New Mexico, Texas State, Texas-San Antonio, Prairie View, Sam Houston, and Southeastern Louisiana.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, Whiteside and I went over his senior season and recruiting process shedding some light on a still puzzling scenario.

Interview

Kobie, when did you get the call up to the varsity level?

“My freshman year. I started my freshman year at right guard.”

Did you play ironman football this year?

“Yes. I played both sides this year, my senior year. I played a little bit on defense from freshman year. My sophomore year I was second team All-District as a defensive tackle. My junior year I was first team All-District.”

Which position do you like best, guard or defensive tackle?

“Defensive tackle.”

What is your mentality on each snap of the ball on defense?

“Be aggressive and press.”

What are the strengths of your game that allows you to control the line of scrimmage the way you do?

“My physical strength and my sideline to sideline abilities.”

How did you feel when you found out you had won the Texas 23-6A Defensive MVP award?

“I was happy.”

Did you know that 247Sports and ESPN does not have a star ranking for you and Rivals along with Scout has you as a two-star? I’ve been doing this for a long time. What am I missing? You dominate the game as well as any four-star out there.

“I don’t really know. I guess they don’t think I deserve to be rated higher.”

How fast are you? I want to guess that you run in the 4.8 range. I’m guessing your first five yards to a running back or quarterback looks like you are running a 4.3.

(Laughs) “My pro agility is a 4.69. My 10-yard split is good. My 40 with Nike was a 5.5 laser timed.”

Do you remember your off-season weight room totals?

“I do. My bench was 405 and my squat was 605. I feel like it has gotten higher over the past month. I have a 32.9 inch vertical too.”

All really impressive. What are you working on in the off-season to prepare for the next level?

“My off-season is focused on my get off, my hips, and my hands.”

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

“I talk to Boise State and Michigan State. New Mexico State, they are showing some interest.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I have offers from Bowling Green, Colorado State, Illinois, Louisiana-Monroe, New Mexico, Texas State, Texas-San Antonio, Prairie View, Sam Houston, and Southeastern Louisiana. I’m missing one I cannot think of right now. Sorry.”

Which schools that have offered you are showing the most interest?

“The schools showing the most is Texas State, Colorado State, New Mexico, and UTSA.”

Have you taken any official visits yet?

“No.”

Do you have any planned visits coming up?

“I have some planned in January. I have one to UTSA (Jan. 13). I’m waiting for the other schools to tell me their schedules.”

Which other schools might you visit?

“CSU, Texas State, and New Mexico.”

When do you plan on announcing the school of your choice?

“I’d like to do it on National Signing Day, but it all depends on the situation. I’ll decide when the time is right.”

When you make that choice, what will be the key things that influence your decision?

“The campus setting, the campus life, and the location – not too much on that. The environment around the school is important.”

Are you playing any spring sports for your school?

“Track and field.”

Which events?

“Shot put and some discuss.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“I have a 2.75. It should be going up after this grade period.”

What is your proudest achievement playing Texas high school football?

“When my teammates and I went to AG Elementary. We were reading to the kids. It was fun being with the little children.”

Kobie, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Houston Chronicle; A scoop and score for No. 78 Kobie Whiteside.

Photo credit: vype.com; No. 78 Kobie Whiteside