Interview: 3-Star 2022 Arkansas Razorbacks TE Commit Dax Courtney Covers Junior Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Being a high school football player anywhere in the country committed to an SEC team carries a lot of weight while drawing a lot of attention. After three-star Class of 2022 tight end/receiver Dax Courtney committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks in August of 2020, the DeWitt High School standout grabbed the in-state spotlight that came with double-teams on the gridiron. As a leader for a young Dragons squad, Courtney and Co. took lumps during the 2020 season going 2-7, but gained valuable experience that will pay off in 2021 with the goal of making a 4A state championship run.
For an update on his junior campaign with a look at his winter workouts, Courtney stopped by the RNG Lab for another confab.
*Click the link for the previous RNG interview with Dax Courtney
Interview
Dax, we last mixed it up early in the 2020 season then covering the Dragons executing a Spread and all that you were doing within the scheme. If you will, update us on all the positions you were playing on offense during the 2020 season?
They labeled me as an H-back-hybrid. In some formations I was wide out by myself, the middle man in trips, but I could line up at any position in trips. When we were struggling with our younger offensive line, they would move me in the box or put me at wing back as an extra blocker. I was versatile this season. I played just about everywhere. When our quarterback went down, they moved me to second string QB. I played anywhere on the field they needed me. I feel that I played at a good level this season.
How did the season go in your view from a playmaking standpoint?
It was difficult really. Our quarterback was a first-year guy. He got better throughout the season, and he will be very good. I played my entire career with my brother, that connection will not be the same with someone else. After all the hype from this summer, there were very few times I did not have two people on me. That comes with the situation, but I was still able to make some plays.
Which areas of your game showed the biggest improvement after all the hard work put in over the offseason?
I’d say my athleticism. That boosted a lot from all the agility training. The biggest thing from the season, it was a humbling year. We walked in high on everything from the summer, then we take beating after beating. That wears on you. Looking back, that adversity helped me more than winning a bunch of games. I was humbled from the season.
A very mature position to take on the season, and one I am sure will serve you will throughout life. What do you now feel are the strengths to your game as that tight end/receiver hybrid?
I am best in the box with my hand in the ground. Sure, I can go outside to create matchups problems but I can also block 280-pound defense linemen or release and go against a linebacker, which is a mismatch. My best game is with a hand in the ground as a tight end. But in high school, you cannot always play your best position. I am willing to play wherever they need me.
Did you get any snaps in on defense this season?
(Laughs) On punt block. They wouldn’t let me play defense. I had worked at safety and outside linebacker, but they were worried about every one getting tired. They tried to limit it one way. By midseason everyone was in shape, but I had my little injury (knee). They didn’t want that pressure on me. I kept telling them to put me. They are the coaches, and they know better than me. I was just a high school kid wanting to compete.
Since the season ended, what have you been working on to improve your strength and conditioning?
Right now, every Wed morning I put on a 40-pound vest and run three or four miles. Enough to get my lungs working while building up my cardio. I am trying to put on weight, quality pounds. I am 6-6, 216, and still have abs. It is a difficult path to gain weight, but I like the challenge. If it was easy everyone would do it.
Do you have a goal with your weight gain?
I want to graduate at 225 to 230. I will let the people at the university put the next 30 on how they want it.
Makes sense. Which areas of your skillset are you focusing on this offseason?
The main thing is to get stronger. If I get stronger that will fix a lot of my problems. I am working on my agility and footwork training to perfect it and not lose it. Last summer with Logan Moss, a 2021 linebacker, we did ridiculous workouts when we’d go see our trainer Chris Baker. Whatever he’d have us do, we’d work on that at home to show him how hard we were working next time we trained with him.
Anything I can do to be an SEC level tight end, I am doing it so they say “wow, we got what we wanted with him.” Right now, I am working towards team goals and doing what I can so they don’t feel they missed on me. When I get there, I want them to know this guy has got it.
Are you competing in any other varsity sports for the Dragons?
I was going to play basketball, but for personal reasons with my dad I will not. But I will play baseball. I close, am a pitcher, and play first base. Did my first bullpen session the other day; I was around 86 or 87 miles per hour on my fastball. I hope to get it to the low 90s before the season. We are 3A in baseball. There are very few 3A baseball players that can hit a 90 mile per hour fastball.
Since your commitment to the Razorbacks back in August, how has that relationship with the coaching staff continued to grow?
Man, it is crazy. We are really close. Even all the defensive coaches texted me on my birthday. I have never seen anything like it, guys that are famous not letting their fame get to them. I feel they are the best staff in the world. Coach Coop (John Cooper – tight ends), he is the real deal. I talk to him just about every day.
When watching their games this fall, as a future Razorback, what were you zeroing in on and learning about the offense?
My main thing out of the season is how much of a team they were. That was what I was looking for, that team bond. If you have a team bond, you will play well. They had it. They were all on the same page, playing their roles correctly. They had a good season, especially against an all-SEC schedule. It was amazing how quickly Coach (Sam) Pittman flipped that team. I thought it would take a few years, but it didn’t. Their players would run through a brick wall for him, that is something I want to be a part of.
When we’ve talked previously, I never asked which program was the first to offer you.
I was in the seventh grade when I got my first offer and it came from Arkansas-Monticello. They are a D-II school. It came from Coach Marcus Hill. I asked him when I was going to get my offer as a seventh grader. He told me, “you will be big time, I will give you an offer right now.” Even if he was playing around, I count it. He had that faith in me. On my offer list, I put UAM on every one of them.
Cool story. Thanks for sharing. As always, it was great catching up with you today. Wishing you success with your offseason workouts and the upcoming baseball season.
Thank you, sir.
Courtney’s Offer Sheet: Arkansas, Arkansas-Monticello, Arkansas State, Baylor, FIU, Kansas, Kansas State, Memphis, Michigan State, Missouri, North Texas, Penn State, Purdue, TCU, Tulane, UTSA, and Vanderbilt
Photo credit: DeWitt High School/Courtney family; Dax Courtney