Interview: 2021 Kansas WR Theo Grabill Tears It Up on the Weekends in California
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
College football coaches in certain regions are long known for being dismissive of high school football players along the recruiting trail in certain areas because said player does play in a highly populated area thus they tear it up against local kids but the coaches do not see that translating elsewhere or to the college level. To clear any misconceptions or opportunities to be overlooked, Class of 2021 receiver Theo Grabill plays his football during the regular season for Blue Valley North and in the offseason for Ground Zero’s 7v7 team in California to prove he can play against the best of the best anywhere, and he is succeeding at a level in the process.
Kansas 6A secondaries got their fill of Grabill last season watching the 6-3, 200-pound, target roll up and down the field securing 79 passes for over 800 yards with 12 touchdowns scored. Beyond being a big receiver, Grabill has elite hands, speed to beat the defense, and has the athleticism to out-compete defensive backs on 50-50 balls; in other words, if the quarterback gets it in Grabill’s area code, he will come down with it. Two teams have been quicker than their peer group to bounce on those skills, Florida Atlantic and Nevada, but interest is rising.
In a return to the RNG Lab after watching him play over the weekend, Grabill gives us an update on his offseason workouts and ongoing recruiting process.
Interview
Theo, the 2019 season was your first with Blue Valley North. How did the season go for you personally on the field?
“It went really well. We struggled at first, but we got it going. We hit our peak around Week 8. I had two touchdowns in that game, one touchdown in the next – we won by 50, and the last two games in the playoffs I had three touchdowns in both of those games. I opened the season with 14 receptions for 144 yards against Bishop Miege, they won state in 4A.”
Nice. The Mustangs were executing a Spread with multiple variations and alignments. What were some of the routes you were running within the scheme?
“When I was inside, a lot of slants, some digs, curl routes, and spot routes behind the blitzing linebackers. I was running outs and corners; most my touchdowns came off corners. I ran some wheel routes; I got two or three touchdowns on those. When I went outside, 10 or 15-yard routes or they gave it to me on a comeback and I did my thing. With my comeback routes, there was not one incompleted pass, I caught everything.”
There were some double-moves and other timing patterns ran between you and your quarterback, how did you build that chemistry with your new quarterback leading to the big season?
“We worked together all the time in the offseason. As the season went on, some of them were not designed routes that we connected on but when he pumped me, I knew to slip and get up field. I knew that he’s getting it to me over the top. Having that timing down, me being a route runner, everyone jumping the short stuff, we’d run a double move and go on them.”
How did your overall game improve throughout your junior season?
“A lot of it was learning how to be smarter as a receiver. Reading zones, I was doing that well, and polishing up my route running. My main focus is working on my speed and yards after the catch. In the season, I was getting the contested catches; I come down with those. That shows on my film. Even if I am covered, I will make a play. That separates me from other receivers. Even when someone is on me, I will make the play.”
Over the weekend you were in Southern California playing 7v7 with Ground Zero. How did that opportunity to play for a California based team come about for you?
“I played with them last year. My coach got me with Ground Zero. Going into my senior year, I will have a bigger role with Ground Zero and show more of what I can do receiving more targets. It is nice to get out in California to prove that I can do my thing against anyone. In Kansas, they overlook me, but I am doing the same thing in California. At the Pylon Tournament, I had zero drops.”
Seeing the different styles and level of skill between Kansas and California, how is that helping you push your game forward this offseason?
“The thing with Kansas football, the game here is with bigger guys that are more physical. In California, it is more skill and finesse. Being a hybrid receiver/tight end type, that showed me how to use my strength and size against smaller guys and against bigger guys in Kansas City, I can use the finesse I learned. It is all about finding different ways to beat people. It has been great learning different ways to a beat person. I am not one dimensional. I am more well-rounded as a player now.”
Two offers are on the table from Nevada and Florida Atlantic, which schools are showing interest?
“This weekend, I am going to Nebraska on Friday and Missouri on Saturday. I was just at USC and UCLA over the weekend. I have talked to a ton of Ivy League schools, and I am talking to Kansas State heavily, North Dakota State, and Iowa.”
Visits have been taken to USC and UCLA, which other schools have you visited over the last few months?
“FAU – that’s when I got that offer. Vanderbilt, and West Virginia.”
Circling back, how did the visit with USC go for you?
“It was really good. They said they are looking at me for the Y position, and they want me at 210 (pounds). They want me at their camp. The same with UCLA; they see me as a tight end and want me to add weight.”
This weekend you have two planned visits, are there any others coming up?
“I will try to visit Arizona, FAU, and I may visit Nevada soon.”
Last round of questions. Are you competing in any other sports besides football?
“Track.”
Which events?
“The 100, 200, and 400.”
Theo, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming visits.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Grabill family; Theo Grabill at UCLA with Chip Kelly