Interview: 2018 League Offensive MVP RB/SR DeVontae Freeman Still on the Open Market

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

There are so many wonderful things about football – where does one begin. On the surface, the physical matchup is intriguing but then coupled with chess match strategies seeing offense verses defense – the game is just amazing. One of the hard facts about football, injuries happen. Sometimes our wonderful sport takes away opportunities from one providing another with a chance. When that number is called for next on the depth chart, will that player rise to the occasion or will they wilt under the pressure. In a one-shot to win it all kind of season, DeVontae Freeman turned in an inspired senior season exceeding all expectations.

When the fall camp for the 2017 season began for El Diamante High School, Freeman was not considered the go-to guy on the roster at tailback; not even the No. 2 guy. After a couple of injuries, the Miners’ coaching staff handed the keys to the ground game to Freeman getting more than expected on return of their trust. Freeman rushed for an estimated 1,200-plus yards with 19 rushing scores earning West Yosemite All-League Offensive MVP honors making first team All-League and first team All-Tulare County rosters by season’s end.

Worth noting, Freeman did all his damage against Division II California squads in just 10 games. The first two games of the season for the Miners, the 5-10, 160-pound, tailback was not solely responsible for the rushing attack. The team finished the season 8-4 overall, 8-2 with Freeman as the featured back, and that includes a 33-30 overtime loss to Dinuba, the same team that put them out in the playoffs.

On the field, Freeman is that mix of scat-back with smooth straight-ahead speed who can also out run the defense to the corner. He is an all-purpose back as well covering another estimated 230 yards in the passing game. With all the awards, stats, and highlight reel plays on his resume, college coaches have yet to find the Visalia area product. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the unsung star of El Diamante High School’s 2018 recruiting class getting an inside look at his breakout senior year.

Interview

DeVontae, how did your senior season go on the field?

“It went well. After the first two games, after two of our running backs were injured, I stepped up.”

How did your game improve last year?

“It improved a lot. I hit the weight room and the field hard in the offseason – it showed on the field when I got my opportunity. I did my best to pick up blitzes against linebackers. I got a lot better at reading defenses pre-snap. I worked on my explosion during the offseason to break the second line. My field vision and patience are strengths of my game. I waited for my offensive line to get their job done, that makes my job easier.”

What is the most underrated part of your game?

“My size. People see me and think I am some kid that does not work hard or cannot get the job done. People underestimate me all the time. I don’t talk on the field, I let my work do the talking.”

Which game was your best last season?

“That is a tough question. We played a lot of good teams. Mt. Whitney and Lemoore were good games for me. I had three touchdowns in the Whitney game and four in the Lemoore game. The Lemoore game was one of the biggest games of the season for us. That determined our league title. I give all the credit to my O-line. They helped me out.”

What have you been working on this offseason?

“I’ve been working on getting bigger and faster – I am running track now.”

If a college coach reads this interview and wants to start recruiting you, what type of student-athlete are coaches recruiting?

“They are recruiting an overall hard worker. I try to discipline myself every day. I start every morning focused and I get to school on time. My determination in the classroom is the same as on the field, it relates with one another. I try to compete in every way. The classroom has not always been easy for me, but I have become more focused and determined.”

DeVontate, thanks for your time today and good luck with your offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credits:Ron Holman; DeVontate Freeman in action