Interview: 3-Star 2019 Arkansas RB Oscar Adaway Preparing for Back-to-Back 7A Title Run
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
When the 2017 Arkansas high school football season had finished, North Little Rock High School was king of the Natural State at the 7A level earning a MaxPreps national ranking of No. 7. Class of 2019 running back Oscar Adaway was a big part of the 13-0 run to the trophy. The 6-1, 205-pound, tailback carved his knitch among a back by committee approach carrying the ball 79 times for 753 yards with seven touchdowns and pulled in 14 passes for 126 receiving yards with another score posted. His productivity, size, and speed has led to 10 scholarship offers being extended with more to come once his senior season is kicked into full gear.
In a Recruiting News Guru preseason catch-up interview, I sat down with the three-star recruit covering his offseason workouts, the Charging Wildcats tough 2018 schedule, and his recruiting process with two official visits already set.
Interview
Oscar, the start of the 2018 season is nearly here. Are you pumped to start everything off?
“Yes, sir.”
How are you seeing your overall game come together as a running back during fall camp?
“I am seeing my game develop more. I am going out to playing receiver more, I will be receiving more passes this year. I will be able to impact the game even more as a receiver and running back.”
Are you excited about playing more at receiver this year?
“Yes, sir. I am.”
Where are you seeing the biggest changes in your game from last season to now?
“More patience. As a senior, I know what is going on and I know the playbook.”
Since the last time we spoke you have gone crazy on the recruiting trail with offers coming in from everywhere. How many offers do you have now?
“I have 10 offers.”
*Adaway’s offer sheet: Central Arkansas, Southern Miss, Colorado State, North Texas, Texas State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Indiana State, Southeast Missouri, Tennessee-Martin, and Eastern Illinois
Which schools are showing interest but have not offered you yet?
“Arkansas State, Tulane, Baylor, and Louisiana Tech are showing interest but have not offered yet.”
Did you take any unofficial visits this offseason?
“Yes, sir. I visited North Texas, Colorado State, Indiana State, and Louisiana Tech.”
How did the Louisiana Tech visit go?
“It went great.”
What about the North Texas visit, how did that go?
“It was amazing. It was great.”
Do you have any planned visits upcoming?
“I have two official visits set, one with Colorado State for the Arkansas game (Sept. 8) and one with North Texas for their game against SMU (Sept. 1).”
That will be interesting you being from Arkansas going to CSU to watch them play the Hogs. What has you excited about the official to CSU?
“I am very excited. Their facilities are great. They basically have a SEC coaching staff in the Mountain West Conference.”
What about for your official to North Texas, what has you excited about that visit?
“Same thing. Their facilities are great and the coaching staff is great. The running backs coach, Coach (Tashard) Choice, is great. He knows about the NFL (Cowboys, Redskins, Bills, and Colts).”
Turning to North Little Rock football. During fall camp, how are the Charging Wildcats looking overall?
“We are looking great. We need a quarterback to step up. We have five fighting for the spot. We need one of them to step up and take control.”
North Little Rock is not playing around with the non-conference games to start the season, you guys have Washington (Tulsa), Evangel Christian Academy (Shreveport), and Whitehaven (Memphis). What is the mindset of the team right now staring down those three talented teams?
“We want to put Arkansas on the map. Arkansas is looked over for football. A lot of the teams we play, they have multiple three- and four-star players. We have two three-star recruits on our team. We want to show the world there is a lot of great talent in Arkansas – stop overlooking us.”
I like that mindset. What do you see being the strength of North Little Rock’s team during the 2018 season?
“The running backs. All our running backs are back from last season. On defense, our linebacker, Dwain Hunt, he is great. Our corners lockdown.”
Where all will we see you line up on the field during the 2018 season besides at receiver and running back?
“I am going to play some safety. When we play against Cabot, I will be at safety because they are an option team. I am also returning punts this season.”
Are there any new wrinkles to the offense for you this year? Any new and exciting ways you might get the ball to make plays?
“Not really. Just more at receiver, but I did that last year.”
What are some of the in-state games you are pumped to play?
“I am excited to play Little Rock Central, that is the school I transferred away from to go to North Little Rock. I am very stoked to play them.”
What goals have you set for your senior year?
“My goal is to get another state championship. I want to go back-to-back. That is what all the seniors are talking about right now.”
Oscar, great catching up with you today. Good luck with the upcoming season.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Adaway family; Oscar Adaway at Colorado State