Interview: 3-Offer 2022 Arkansas DE Justin Sobczak is a Hidden Recruiting Gem at Cabot
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Finding a true strongside defensive end to run a 3-4 at the high school level is hard to come by. But when a program has one, the defense has more flexibility to get after opposing offenses. At Cabot High School, the Panthers have a hidden recruiting gem in the 2022 class with Justin Sobczak.
Sobczak is everything needed in a five-tech. He has the size (6-6, 240), the long arms to get inside offensive tackles, the strength to take on double teams and chips, and the burst off the ball to put offensive linemen behind before the play truly begins. As Cabot worked to an 8-4 season against 7A Arkansas competition in 2020, their emerging end was closing off the left side of the offense with his talents. In stats posted in nine of the team’s 12 games, Sobczak squashed 36 plays, 26 by himself, with 9.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Three in-state teams have gotten the jump along the recruiting trail with Sobczak seeing Central Arkansas, Harding, and Southern Arkansas drop offers. Regional interest is coming in with an avalanche of opportunity sure to come after he competes at the Rivals camp in Dallas.
In an RNG first-look interview, Sobczak stopped by the Clubhouse for long conversation covering his junior campaign, workouts, and growing recruiting process.
Interview
Justin, you were a flurry of activity on the defensive line for Cabot High School throughout the 2020 season, and you were getting to showcase your skills in a multitude of ways. Taking on all those top 7A Arkansas teams in the Central Conference, how do you feel you performed?
I feel that I performed pretty well. At the end of the season, I had improved a lot. I learned a lot and it was a great season overall.
Let’s get into all that you were doing in the trenches. Looks like the Panthers were mixing up the scheme from a three- to five-man front. What all were you guys running on defense and where were you lining up?
Our main defense was a three-man front but in the five-man front we ran in 2020 we had two ends that moved to linebacker. We brought them down as an outside linebacker and added a safety into the box.
What were your roles within the different fronts?
I was in a five-tech reading the foot and the tackle unless we were doing a stunt. My role was containment and pass rushing. On run, stay in the C gap unless my man goes down.
You were wearing out left tackles all day long fighting off double teams while keeping the edge contained. When the 2020 season ended, what did you feel were the strengths to your game as a D-end?
I feel like my run game, how I was defending the run was good. I am quick off the line, strong, and against double teams I can hold my own.
From stopping the run to rushing the passer, which areas of your game grew the most throughout your junior campaign?
My pass rush. At the start of the year I was mediocre at it. But as the season went on, I was getting better and getting more pressure on the quarterback.
When the 2021 season comes around, where all might we see you on the field? Will we see you on offense?
I am mostly staying at defensive end. I don’t know about playing offense yet.
How are you taking your game to that next level in the weight room this spring?
Doing the four main lifts. I am focusing on more power with my upper body for shedding blocks, my grip strength, and explosiveness with my legs.
The last time you maxed out what numbers did you post?
My bench is 300, squat is 455, and my deadlift is 540.
Nice. What are you doing to push your speed, burst, and agility forward?
We lift and then do agility working on our starts. We work with the sleds and pull them and we are doing ladder drills working on my footwork. They have use working on our 40 starts too.
What are you working on with your technique?
With my technique, I am working on my hands, using more moves, learning more moves, and working on staying lower. Being 6-6 you have to stay low.
Which new moves are you trying out?
I am just trying to become more comfortable with the moves that I use: the chop, rip, swim, and push-pull.
Have you been to any camps this offseason or do you have any coming up you may go compete at to show off the skills?
I have been to a Survivor Camp series, a Harding camp, and this week I am going to Dallas for a Rivals camp (April 10).
Let’s turn to recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
Stephen F. Austin, Arkansas, Arkansas State, Louisiana, and Middle Tennessee State.
Which programs have offered you?
Central Arkansas, Harding, and Southern Arkansas.
Are there any visits you may take this summer?
Definitely. I want to go to UCA (Central Arkansas) and Harding. I will see in the future which schools want me to visit.
Justin, thanks for your time today and good luck at the Rivals camp in Dallas.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Sobczak family; Justin Sobczak