Interview: Illinois 2018 DE Gavin McCabe Updates Visit to the Arkansas Razorbacks

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The recruiting floodgates have poured open for Marist High School defensive end Gavin McCabe this spring. The 6-3, 250 pound, playmaker has had his offer sheet filled with 25 scholarships by squads like West Virginia, Cincinnati, Kansas, Rutgers, Columbia, Boston College, Indiana, and Iowa State after a 69 tackle, 20.5 tackle for a loss, and 9.5 sack season in 2016. One of the teams to extend an offer, the Arkansas Razorbacks, hosted McCabe on an unofficial visit over the weekend ahead of his appearance at an Under Armour All-American Camp back in his hometown of Illinois on Sunday.

In a Recruiting News Guru update interview, I caught up with McCabe after his visit and camp performance getting the inside scoop on his weekend.

Interview

Gavin, you were busy this weekend with a visit to Arkansas and competing at the Under Armour All-American Camp in Chicago. First, how did the camp go?

“It went really well. I had a great time. It was great going out and competing again. Some states have spring ball but we cannot do anything until the summer. Playing against the best players in the Midwest, I did really well. I am happy with that.”

How did you do in the one-on-ones?

“I did good. I did not lose. I had some stalemates. I did not do as well as I hoped. I did not do awful but I did really well overall.”

Did you learn anything new during the camp that will help you during your senior season?

“Nothing specifically. Not really.”

Let’s switch over to your visit to Fayetteville. Who went with you to Arkansas?

“My sister and my parents.”

When did you get there?

“We got there on Friday.”

What all did you do during your visit?

“We toured the facilities, the Jones Center, and all of the football facilities. I was blown away. The time and money put into it – I was blown away. After that, we talked to the strength coach and academic advisors. We talked to all the coaches, they are all awesome. We really enjoyed meeting them. We went to the business building and we went to where the student-athletes stay. We went to their practice too.  That was awesome.

“We stayed overnight on Saturday and went around the town. It was nice. It was rainy but other than that it was nice. I could not imagine how nice Fayetteville is on a sunny day.”

What did the coaches talk about with you?

“They really just talked about how much they really liked me and liked my film. They said I was a good fit in their program. They thought I would fit in well with their defensive scheme. They wanted to meet my parents. We talked about football. I really liked them a lot.”

Did you sit in on any meetings?

“No. We did not. Before their practice we were on the tour.”

Did the coaches talk about how you would fit into their system if you played ball there?

“The thought was, they think I could do well playing outside linebacker in their “Hog” position. That is what they call it. I would be an outside linebacker on the line in a two-point stance; an edge rusher and taking on the blocks to from running backs and fullbacks to get to the quarterback. If that does not work, they said I can try anywhere along the defensive line or any of the linebacker positions.”

Do you see yourself fitting in with the team’s defense?

“Oh, yeah. 100 percent. I played linebacker last year for a couple of games. I loved that. Watching the Hog position on Saturday, I thought I would do really well there. With my body and my size, I could play with those guys. That would be a fun position to play and I would do well. Last year I was going up against tight ends and edge rushing. That is something I’d like to do and be good at in college.”

Overall, how did it go? Did you accomplish everything you wanted with the trip?

“It went great. It went really well. I accomplished everything I wanted. All my goals were achieved. Getting to sit down with all the coaches and finding out where I would fit in, seeing the facilities, touring the campus, and seeing the town were all things I wanted to do. I really liked the experience. The whole Arkansas experience was something awesome.”

Do plan to visit Arkansas again, if so, when?

“No plans were made, but I do hope to get out there again. I really want to go out there again. I loved it so much I want to go back again. Maybe for a camp or just for a visit. Maybe for a game if I am not committed anywhere else by that time.”

With that in mind, and because you have so many offers, have you started thinking about when you might commit?

“No. My goal is to commit by the start of my senior season. If it does not work out, I’ll wait. If I want to see a game day atmosphere for a school, or something like that, I will wait. I do want to commit as soon as possible, but I want to have the right decision made before I commit.”

Are any of the Arkansas commits talking to you about the program and school?

“They are. I have talked to the commits. They are awesome. I can see myself playing with those guys and being friends with those guys.”

When we last spoke (April 4), some of the schools showing interest included Wisconsin, Minnesota, Tennessee, Texas Tech, and Virginia, do you have any new interest or offers?

“Yeah, I have a couple new schools showing interest. Illinois has stepped up. Indiana and Arkansas are talking to me a lot more now. Tennessee, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are still talking to me. I have not added other interest but I am talking more to the schools that are showing interest or have offered me.”

Gavin, thanks for your time today and congrats on a successful weekend at Arkansas and the camp.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: McCabe family; Gavin McCabe at Arkansas (April 22, 2017).