Interview: 2019 Canada OT Liam Dick Discusses Narrowing 11 Offers to Top 5 List

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

College football coaches worth their salt will look far and wide for a talent at any position who might make their program better. That theory holds true with 11 different college football programs going into Burlington, Ontario, seeking out a stud offensive tackle with a world of abilities and upside. That player all 11 teams hopes will ink a national letter of intent on National Signing Day is Liam Dick.

Dick is that fluid-athletic tackle who has a mean streak defensive ends, tackles, and linebackers do not want to cross. Clarkson North has played teams from Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Virginia with the 6-7, 300-pound, talent taking on legitimate American Power 5 Conference recruits walking away with a highlight reel full of individual battles won.

The action on the gridiron has Louisville, North Carolina, Fresno State, Liberty, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina Central, Kent State, Howard, Washington State, and Pitt hoping they will call their name come the early signing period. On Sunday, Nov. 11, Dick will post his top five schools on Twitter the abruptly start the official visit tour making his decision before the early signing period on Dec. 19.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized catch-up interview, I sat down with the Ontario area product for an update on how is game has improved throughout his senior year with insight on how he will narrow down 11 to five and then to one.

*Click link for Aug. 9, 2018, RNG interview with Liam Dick

Interview

Liam, Clarkson North has played a lot of tough U.S. teams this season giving you the opportunity to showcase your talents against some of the best players in the region. Of all the games played thus far, which one has been your personal best?

“I’d say my best was the Cheshire Academy (CT) game. I played really well in that game and went against a Rutgers commit (Malachi Burby); he is a legit guy. I did my assignments well against him. As a unit, we did really well. We rushed for about 500 yards that game. All five guys did their job perfectly.”

Which game was the toughest for you but helped you improve as a player because of the challenge?

“My worst game was probably against St. Xavier (Cincinnati) game. It was a tough week of practice. We had thunderstorms that week, I think we had one practice on the field. We did a lot of walk-throughs that week. It was hard to get momentum going for that game. In the game, we had a slow start that resulted in us losing, but once we got it going, I think we were the better team.”

Are you tracking knockdowns and/or pancake blocks?

(Laughs) “No. I meant to do that, then I forgot. You asked me that last time and I intended on tracking them but I never did it.”

No worries. I know your are getting a lot of them. If you had to guess, how many on average are you getting?

“I’d say 10 to 15.”

I believe you. How have your skills as a lineman improved throughout the season?

“I’d say learning the game even more. I am still fairly new to the game. This season I know my assignments better and I know what a guy is doing if he is shading or how he is lined up. It is just the game experience that is helping me become a better player, knowing what the defense is doing before the play begins.”

Which area of your game is the most improved?

“Compared to last year, my pass-set. I have improved in a lot of ways. I am using my hands more and I have better technique. If a guy is trying to long arm me, I am knocking his hand off. Last year I did not know what to do. I am also keeping my hips square and my footwork has improved.”

What are you working on each day in practice to push your game forward?

“I try to work on everything. I try to keep my hands inside, stay low with my pad level, and use my legs to my advantage. My goal on every snap is to get all of those things, and my speed, into each play to maximize my skill.”

What are college coaches telling you they like about how your overall game is looking right now?

“They like my length and athleticism, and my physical ability. They say I am raw, but they understand that I am new to the game. They like my mentality and how I finish my blocks. They like my nasty edge I bring to every play.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest but have not offered?

“TCU, Rutgers, Colorado State, Cal, and Boston College are showing interest.”

How many offers do you have now?

“I have 11 offers.”

Which programs were the last two to offer you?

“Fresno State and Washington State.”

Have you taken any unofficial or official visits since we last spoke?

“I have not taken any official visits yet but I went to Louisville and Pitt on game day visits in the last month on unofficial visits. I plan on releasing my top five schools on Nov. 11. I will take official visits to those schools.”

Nice. I am excited to see the list. Circling back. You visited Louisville, how did that go?

“It went well. I really like it there. The staff is awesome and they have a great game day atmosphere. My family liked it too.”

What about Pitt, how did that go?

“It went really well. It was a nice day there when we visited. The staff was great and they showed me around the facilities. They won, and played really well. It was great to be there as well.”

You are going to announce your top five on Sunday, at what time?

“I will announce my top five on Sunday at noon eastern time.”

As National Signing Day nears, what will be some of the deciding factors that will weigh heavily into your final decision?

“What is important to me is getting that home feeling, finding a good fit, and the academics. Those are the main things for me.”

The next question everyone will ask, after you announce your top five and take your visits, when might you commit?

“I plan on signing during the early period in December. My plan is to be a mid-year enrollee.”

Last question, back to Clarkson football The team closes out the regular season with St. Joes (Mississauga, ON) on Friday. What kind of game are you expecting from their defense?

“We are expecting a hard-fought game. They are ranked No. 3 in Canada and we are ranked No. 1. It will be a fight for the top spot in the nation. I am sure there will be a lot of Canadian schools and fans watching. It should be a really good game.”

Wow. That is like an end of season bowl game.

“Actually, it is called the North Bowl Game.”

There you have it. Liam, thanks for your time today and good luck with the game on Friday and your announcement on Sunday.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Clarkson North; Liam Dick in action

Photo credit: Dick family; Liam Dick at TCU