Interview: 2021 WR/FS Kreed Stubbs Scorched Arkansas Defenses for Over 1,400 Yards

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

On the gridiron, it is a thing of beauty when everything starts to click for a player. There is that moment in time that can come from within one game or the confidence built up over a couple of games after tearing apart the competition when the proverbial light bulb clicks on and a rising talent realizes all the potential they have on the field. That was the season turned in for Class of 2021 Atkins High School receiver/defensive back Kreed Stubbs.

The 2018 season was an unassuming one for Stubbs, comparatively, lining up at corner. He put an end to 16 plays with eight solo tackles while forcing a fumble and picking one up. When the 2019 season hit, he took Arkansas 3A competition by storm, and many defenders still do not know what happened. The 5-11, 160-pound, target secured 62 passes for 1,413 yards with 24 touchdowns and took back nine kicks for 133 yards. Equal time was still given on defense, but this time at free safety, tallying 36 tackles, 25 solo with two picks, three passes broken up, forced a fumble, and scooped up two off the carpet.

Given the high level of production Stubbs turned in on the field, he is flying too far below the radar for explanation; even within his own state by only receiving All-Conference honors for his work in 2019.

To learn more about one of the Natural State’s top Class of 2021 players, we sat down for an RNG exclusive interview.

Interview

Kreed, starting off the interview congratulating you on an amazing season.

“Thank you.”

The Red Devils ran a Spread offense last season with you on the outside burning guys game after game. What was working for you allowing you to have such a prolific season?

“My QB (Elijah Roberson) and I grew up together. We lived by each other and we played together all the time. We were good together this season. He knew how and when to get me the ball. We connected perfectly.”

Looking over the stats from last season, this was truly a breakout season for you. Was there a point within the season when you were surprising even yourself with all the great plays you were producing?

“Yeah. Honestly, I didn’t think I was as close to as good as I was this year. They were telling me I am this good and this fast, but I wasn’t believing. I am a humble person. But now I am starting to realize it. I had a great season and my future is bright.”

Yes, it is. Your speed pops. What’s the fastest timed run you’ve posted?

“The fast 40-yard dash I have ran was a 4.6 at an Arkansas camp last summer.”

From some of the game footage I have watched of yours, it looks like defenses were trying to blitz your QB in hopes of forcing him into a bad throw allowing a lot of single coverage for you on the outside. Is that kind of what you were seeing?

“Right. Throughout the whole season I saw a lot of man. In the Glen Rose game, they had three guarding me. The safety was rolling over, the outside linebacker came out, and the corner manned me up.”

Which routes were you running throughout the season?

“We ran posts, go-routes, comebacks, speed-outs, and fast screens coming back to the quarterback. We ran some snags and corners too.”

You may have already answered this, but all players face challenges within a season. What was at least one challenge you faced on the field during your junior year?

“When we played Glen Rose, they won our conference, that was for the conference championship. They put three guys over me. That was probably the biggest hardship all year for me on the field.”

How did that challenge make you a better player?

“I told my coach during the game; they are guarding me 3-on-1. I kept working my butt off, ran my routes harder and did whatever it took to score. I am mainly on the right side of the field at Z, I switched to X to see if they noticed.”

Did it work?

“Not really. They caught on. Our other receiver was quick too. I told our QB to look at him.”

In which ways did you see your game improve during the 2019 run?

“Corners would press me, so I worked on my footwork and getting off the line with my hands. Sticking my routes perfectly was another improvement. My blocking – I worked on getting under the shoulder pads and moving with my hands.”

The questions have been focused largely on your play at receiver, but you also played some defense again in 2019. Tell me how the season went for you on that side of the ball.

“On defense I played safety last year. During my 10th grade year I played corner. I moved to safety because we were not strong with depth there. I had two picks this season playing more as a free safety.”

Over the course of the offseason, what will you focus on improving with your skills?

“I want to improve my speed and get bigger. I feel like I am too small right now.”

Camp season is about to start up. Are you looking at attending any camps to show off the skills?

“Arkansas and Arkansas State are camps I plan on going to this offseason. I might go out of state to some other camps, but I am not sure where yet.”

Kreed, it was great getting time in with you today. Good luck with the rest of your offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Atkins HS/Stubbs family; No. 23 Kreed Stubbs in action