Interview: 2018 Iowa LB Ethan Toomey Talks Grand View University Fit
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
After back-to-back standout seasons with the Rail Splitters, and earning first team All-Conference and honorable mention All-State honors as a senior, Grand View University got a steal in backyard talent Ethan Toomey. The linebacker was all over the field during the 2017 season helping Lincoln High School to a 5-4 season playing against some of the toughest teams in Iowa’s 4A classification. Now that the 6-1, 190 pound, talent has inked his letter of intent with the Vikings, sights are set on helping bring the Vikings their first NAIA Championship since the 2013 season.
In a Recruiting News Guru inside look interview, I sat down with the budding gridiron talent learning more about his senior season on the field and how Grand View became the ideal collegiate fit for Toomey.
Interview
Ethan, how did your senior season go overall?
“Honestly, it went better than I thought it would go. I had a really good season. I was the leader of the defense. I was expected to make big stops and big plays throughout the season, and I came up with them too.”
How did your game get better during the 2017 season?
“My reads got a lot faster. I picked up on reading the offensive linemen – the guards, and checking on receivers that give away plays. My game speed increased a lot knowing what was coming.”
Which game was the most challenging for you last year?
“The Dowling Catholic game. They have won five state titles in a row. They had a good team. They execute everything well. They will run you out of the game if you don’t execute on their level. We were predicted to lose by 50, but hung close for a while before losing. But, we didn’t lose by 50 points.”
How did that game against Dowling make you a better linebacker?
“Because they execute so well, you have to prep well before the game. You have to tune in watching film. You have to be ready for a team like that. That game set the tone for me going forward. Playing them made me play up to their level for the rest of the season. I played faster, sped my reads up, and flipped my switch after that game.”
Which game was your best, and why do you consider that to be your best game?
“I’d say against our rival (Des Moines) East. I think I had 11 tackles, a forced fumble, and I blocked a field goal. I made some big plays in that game. They blocked field goal got the team going.”
I was going to ask you about the blocked field goal after seeing it on your reel. That does not happen too often. What was that like actually getting there to block it?
“A lot of the guys on field goal block do not try that hard. I tried to block it every time. When I blocked it, I was in disbelief. I had been close before, but I finally got it.”
What was the recruiting process like for you?
“I’d get emails here and there from bigger schools. The biggest school that showed interest in me was UNI (Northern Iowa). I went to their camp and impressed. I was getting emails from JUCOs and smaller schools.”
What was it about Grand View that fit as your ideal school?
“They showed a lot of interest. That opened my eyes to them. They have nice facilities and they have a good program. They have won their conference seven out of the last eight years (2011-17). Their linebacker coach, Coach (Joe) Woodley, is a good guy. The school clicked with me after visiting a few times. Last time I visited, I knew that was the school for me.”
How do they plan to use your skillset within their scheme?
“I think they are going to a 3-4 next year. They plan to use me as an inside linebacker.”
Did the coaching staff give you anything specific to work on this offseason?
“Nothing specific but to bulk up and gain weight. I want to get to 210 or 205 before the season begins.”
What consists of your offseason workouts?
“I’m working on core lifts, trying to get my squat up, deadlifts up, and hang clean up – I’ve never been great at that. With my agility, I’m working on lateral movement and explosive fast-twitch muscles to explode off the ball. I’m working on my speed, and trying to cut down my 40 time.”
When do you report?
“I report at the beginning of August.”
Do you have any words of wisdom for the younger guys that will be going through the same process in 2018?
“Keep working. People have always doubted me, but here I am proving them wrong. Keep working, stay on your grind, and don’t let anything get in your way.”
Ethan, thanks for your time today and good luck with your offseason workouts and fall camp.
“Thank you.”
*Toomey was credited with 47 total tackles, 31 solo, one interception, two fumble recoveries, and three tackles for a loss in 2017.
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Photo credit: Toomey family; Ethan Toomey on the field
Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 53 Ethan Toomey pre-snap