Interview: 3-Star 2021 OL/DL Ilaisa Gonebure is Tearing It Up for Capital Christian
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
There are diamonds in the rough all over the country, and Capital Christian High School has one in Ilaisa Gonebure. Gonebure has been a one-man gang in the trenches for the Cougars on both sides of the ball playing tackle on offense and defense. The 6-5, 300-pound, talent ended his junior season helping the Cougars to a 13-2 record against California competition by ending 77 plays with 18.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, three pass breakups, and picked up a fumble. His squad is off to a 3-2 record in 2019 with the big man plowing open holes in the run game and setting the pocket for his quarterback. On defense, he is killing it again with 15 solo tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and seven sacks in five games.
In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down with the three-star recruit going inside the helmet on one of California’s overlooked talents with tremendous upside.
Interview
Ilaisa, you are a bad man in the trenches getting after it; I like it. How do you get yourself into that mindset before a game?
“I listen to music. The mindset, it is natural for me.”
You are dominating on both sides of the ball, but I want to start with your defense. Be it nose guard or tackle, what are you doing well on that side of the ball this season?
“I am putting pressure on the quarterback and stopping the run.”
What are the biggest improvements for you as a defender over last season?
“My hand striking and hand combat. I am doing more of that this season.”
Switching to offense. You are killing it at right tackle burying guys in the turf. What all are you doing well with both your run and pass-pro this season?
“Over the offseason I worked a lot on technique. With my pass-pro, I do a lot of (power) clean. That helps with kicking back and with my explosive hits. With run blocking, it has mostly been my pulling. That has been crucial this season. On most plays we run behind me. Benching has helped me with my striking.”
Which parts of your blocking are you always working on in practice?
“We work on double-teaming tackles and I work on keeping eyes on the backers at all time. With my pass-pro, that comes naturally.”
You mentioned your clean and bench already Did you max out in the weight room this offseason?
“Yes. My power clean was 295 and my back squat was 450 in the spring.”
Nice. Is there a part of your game that gets overlooked for one reason or another?
“No.”
With recruiting, which schools are showing interest?
“I have an offer from Idaho and UCLA and Arizona State are showing interest.”
Are you planning on visiting any schools this fall?
“I am planning on visiting UCLA and probably USC as well.”
Ilaisa, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your season.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Capital Christian HS; Ilaisa Gonebure in action