Interview: 3-Star 2020 California TE/WR Sterling Stokes Updates Visits and Recruiting
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Due to hard work put in on the field and in the classroom at Bishop O’Dowd High School over the past two seasons, Class of 2020 tight end/receiver Sterling Stokes is on a path to receive a top-notch free education while helping a college program when games. Stokes secured 12 passes for 261 yards with two scores in 2017 and snagged 18 for 323 with two more trips into the end zone during his junior campaign. Recruitment for the 6-4, 206-pound, receiving target has heated up since January with eight offers extended coming from Air Force, Dartmouth, FIU, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Yale, William & Mary, and Princeton.
The recruiting process is not being taken lightly with visits taken along both coasts and with several more already on the schedule. For an update on his recruiting process and offseason workouts, I caught up with the Oakland area talent.
*Click link for Jan. 5, 2019, RNG interview with Sterling Stokes
Interview
Sterling, the last few weeks have been exciting for you. You have blown up on the recruiting trail. What was it like for you receiving your first offer from Air Force?
“Man, it was crazy, It was humbling. I received a text from Mike Thiessen (OC). I had a feeling about an offer, I was excited to receive it.”
With the attention you are receiving, how is that motivating you with your offseason workouts?
“Tremendously. I have been training for the Nike Opening Regional in Oakland (May). I am working on getting bigger, I want to add 15 to 20 more pounds by the season. I am working on my speed and other athletic abilities.”
You are working on your speed and gaining weight, where are you seeing the changes?
“I feel like I am moving faster. I have been training with a speed trainer, I am testing faster. Because I have been in the weight room working hard, I have gained almost 10 pounds in the last couple of months.”
Where are you seeing the biggest improvements as a receiver with your offseason workouts?
“I am working on my route running and working with my QB. I am running routes constantly, working with my receiver coach and playing 7v7. Playing 7v7 has been good for me competing against good competition. That is pushing me to the next level.”
What are college coaches telling you they like about your talents?
“They like my frame. They said I have a lot of potential to play receiver or tight end. They like that I can bulk up or stay as I am right now for receiver. They like my hands, my routes, and they like how I high point the ball. Those things stood out on my film to the coaches.”
How many total offers do you have now?
“I have eight offers.”
Which schools are showing interest?
“Wyoming, big time. I have been talking to them a lot. Boise State as well. Those two schools are showing a lot of love. There are a lot of schools coming out this spring. There are a lot of Pac-12 schools showing interest – UCLA, Cal, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington State, Arizona, and Arizona State. They want to see me in person this spring.”
That’s fantastic. I know you have been busy over the last few weeks with visits, where all have you been?
“I have visited Air Force, Miami, FIU, Boise State and Fresno State.”
How did the Air Force visit go?
“It was great. It was nice finally meeting the entire staff and putting names with faces. I met their tight end coach, Coach (Jonathan) Wallace and Coach Thiessen. We talked a lot of football during the visit.”
And the Miami visit, how did that go?
“It was great. That was my first time in Florida. Everything was new to me. I love the tropical area. It was really beautiful there.”
What about the Fresno State visit, how did that turn out?
“It was great as well. I watched a scrimmage. I enjoyed seeing all the players and the new talent coming in. I talked to their tight ends coach as well.”
Do you have any planned visits on the schedule?
“I am going to Oregon State for a Junior Day visit.”
Which camps have you attended this offseason?
“An Under Armour All-American Camp and the U.S. Army Combine in San Antonio.”
How did Under Armour go?
“It was great. There was a lot of good competition up there. “
You mentioned the Nike Regional in May coming up, what other camps might you attend in the near future?
“Upcoming I am going to camps at Sacramento State, UCLA, and USC. I will also go to camps at Princeton, Harvard, and Yale. Each of the Ivy League camps are mixed with a visit. I will tour the school and see the facilities after the camp.”
Sterling, congratulations on all the success this offseason. Good luck with the upcoming camps and visits.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Stokes family; Sterling Stokes at Boise State and Miami