Interview: 2018 California RB Sherod White Displaying Elite Speed for Heritage
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
There is an inherent beauty in watching amazing athletes run. Be-it on the track or on the football field, seeing someone with dynamic speed kick on the booster jets is awe inspiring, gets the heart rate up, and thrills in ways a super hero movie never can. A guy giving defenses a good look at the back of his jersey with his blazing speed while racking up yards out of the backfield is Class of 2018 running back Sherod White.
White (5-9, 178) took flight on the gridiron during his junior season skyrocketing up recruiting boards after averaging 8.5 yards per carry helping Heritage High School to an 11-1 season. A tough 23-19 playoff loss to eventual California state champs San Clemente, the closest game the Stallions had in their title run, ended a highlight reel filled season for White complete with 1,171 yards on 138 carries with 15 trips to the end zone on the ground. Proving to be a danger anywhere on the field, he also pulled in 15 passes for 153 yards. The touchdown total should be much higher with several streaks to the end zone called back on penalties. If that was not enough, White terrorized opposing offenses playing free safety with 21 total tackles and a mind-blowing eight picks.
The Patriots are off to a 3-0 start, ranked No. 22 in the state by MaxPreps, with wins over Great Oak (42-0), Oak Hills (20-10), and Corona (55-7). The offense is soaring averaging 39 points per contest getting a showdown Friday night against Redlands East Valley followed by a road game to Orange Lutheran, the 30th ranked team in the nation, next week. White heads into the thick of the Patriots schedule with 252 yards on the ground off 27 carries with three touchdowns through stats posted for two games. He also has eight tackles and a 98-yard kickoff return for a score. Stats have not been posted from Game 3, but he did score two more rushing touchdowns.
The recruiting trail has been quiet for the 2016 Sunbelt Utility Player of the Year, All-League running back, and All-Inland Empire honoree since he verbally committed to Montana State on Aug. 11. The Bobcats have a steal in White, a one-cut and gone talent capable of scoring the ball from anywhere on the field.
In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with White covering his season to date while getting an update on his recruiting process.
Interview
Sherod, how has the school year started out for you in the classroom?
“In middle school, I was not that good of a student. Once I got to high school I knew I had to buckle down. I wanted to go to college and make my parents proud. I started working hard. My grades are good so far and I’m staying on top of everything.”
You guys have been on fire with big wins over Great Oak (Temecula), Oak Hills (Hesperia), and Corona. How has the season started out for you and the Patriots on the field?
“Over the summer, we worked hard. We knew where we wanted to be and the kind of team we wanted to be – a championship winning team. Over the past few years we have been dominating. We want to keep that going. We have to take charge come out fast and hard, and give it our all. We have a lot of seniors on the team, they want to keep playing as long as possible.”
What kind of challenges does Redlands East Valley (1-1) bring to the field for Friday night’s game?
“On film, they have a very good defensive end they like to stand up. Against us, they better put him on the line. Our offense is really good – they will have to do a lot to stop us. Their offense is good. They have Billy Bowens, a RhareBreed 7v7 guy, at receiver. No. 2 for them (Gabriel Clark) is a hard runner. On defense, we have to come with it.”
How are you preparing each week for your opponent?
“I watch a lot of film when I do not have home work. In practice, I focus on what my coaches want me to focus on. I go hard each week and give it all I got.”
How are teams scheming to slow you down this year?
“Usually, right before the ball snap they say watch No. 9. They are keying on me. But, we have so many weapons, we have talent all over the place – teams shouldn’t key only on me.”
How has your game improved from the end of the 2016 campaign to now?
“It has improved a lot. I think most of it comes from 7v7. 7v7 really helps players – it helped me a lot. Once I started playing I was picking up things, getting smarter especially on defense. I worked out a lot, got stronger, and went to camps to pick up new techniques. I have done a lot of things that are productive with football to perfect my craft.”
What are the overall strengths of your game allowing you to be as productive as you are on the field?
“I’ve been playing football for so long, I feel like I have a very good football IQ. I pick up on things quick. When I have the ball in my hands I feel like I can make plays.”
Which game this season was your best, and why do you consider that your best game?
“I’d say Great Oaks. We started off good as a team. I put up three touchdowns and 120 yards. I was disappointed though. My running back coach made a deal with me for a burrito if I rushed for 200 yards. I am looking forward to the OLU (Orange Lutheran) game.”
You had eight picks last year, is your side of the field like a ghost town now on passing downs?
“It is boring. For our first three games, no one wants to throw my way. Last week was the first time a quarterback threw my way. I put a hit on a guy and got a fumble. In the Great Oak game, their quarterback only threw short routes. He did not throw deep against us.”
When was the last time a quarterback attempted a pass your way more than twice in a game?
“I don’t know. It had to be in one of our league games last season. (Laughs) They try once and then do not try again.”
You alluded to one, but which games left on the schedule are you excited to play?
“The OLU game, that is our biggest game coming up. That will show how hard we have been working. We are going to bring our A game like they will. We are really looking forward to that one.”
On the recruiting trail, you committed to Montana State on Aug. 11. How did the Bobcats football program become your perfect fit?
“They wanted me to play running back. Coach (Michael) Pitre makes Montana State sound great. They are building something great over there and I wanted to be a part of that. It looks really nice up there. They have a great education program too.”
How will Montana State utilize you within their offense?
“Coach Pitre feels like I can make a lot of plays out of the backfield. I really like their offense. I think they may use me at slot too, but I’m not sure yet.”
Are any schools still actively recruiting you?
“New Mexico.”
“Have you set your official visit date to Montana State yet?
No. Coach Pitre is setting that up. After our first five games then we have our bye week. I think that lines up for one of their rival games.”
Are you recruiting others to join you in Bozeman?
“Oh yeah. I’m trying to get guys from my team to Montana State – one of our linemen Avante Robbs, one of our receivers Rashoud Shelton, and our quarterback Devan Freedland.”
Sherod, good luck with the rest of the season and I thank you for your time today.
“Thank you.”
*Click link to see Sherod White’s 2016 highlight reel!
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Photo credit: Amber Garcia; No. 9 Sherod White leapfrogs two defenders
Photo credit: pe.com; No. 9 Sherod White in the open-field
Photo credit: pe.com; No. 9 Sherod White scores a TD vs. Great Oaks