Interview: 3-Star 2022 Massachusetts OT Sullivan Weidman is a Top Rising Prospect
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Easy to say few knew about Sullivan Weidman before the 2019 high school football season began. But after pile-driving Massachusetts defenders for a full season with the aid of speed, quickness, and athleticism not typically seen in an offensive lineman his size, college football programs across the country now have Weidman atop their recruiting boards. Weidman had a breakout sophomore season with Dexter Southfield High School a year ago leading to 11 offers being dropped this offseason. The 6-6, 300-pound, tackle was a dominating force on the field and has tremendous upside to his game leaving room to carry those dominating ways to the collegiate ranks.
In an RNG first-look, Weidman talks about his growth on the field as a sophomore with an update on his college football scholarship offers.
Interview
Sully, you are an imposing presence on the field not only because of your size but also because of your athleticism. Big men are not supposed to move the way you do. Maybe an impossible question to answer, but where does that footwork and speed come from?
I do a lot of work on agility ladders, a lot of 40s, and combine drills. All of that helps. I did wrestle for about three years, that helps a lot too.
Another scary part of your game for defenders is how well you finish blocks. If you are not pushing a guy 15 yards downfield, you are driving them into the ground. What fires you up to play at such a high level for four quarters?
(Laughs) My love for the game. I’ve been playing football since the eighth grade. In football, I am allowed to hit someone; that is a great way to get anger out. If I have had a bad day at school, I can take it out on scout team players, but in the game it gets real.
Did you track knockdowns and/or pancakes last season?
We did not. I wish we did.
Putting you on the spot, if you had to guess about how many per game do you think you were getting?
I don’t know, about 20. We played a lot of small teams last season.
When did you earn your first varsity start?
I transferred from Franklin to Dexter last season. I did not play a snap of varsity with Franklin. After the season, I reclassed, earned a starting spot during camp at Dexter, and started my first game.
What offensive scheme were you guys executing in 2019?
We were a Spread team with some power, but nothing too crazy. We were a traditional football team.
Playing right tackle, how did your run blocking improve last season?
It definitely improved, and from the first game through the end of the season. I learned to get a lot lower throughout the season. If you look at my reel towards the end of the year, I played a lot lower. That helped with my run blocking.
What about your pass-pro? How did you take that area of your game to the next level?
Our offensive line coach, he played four years at UMass and knows what he is doing. I was taking long pass sets; I was kicking too far back. After working on it, I was taking six-inch kick steps. That helped with fast rushers and inside moves.
Since the season ended, what have you been working on with the technical parts of your game?
I am still unhappy with how low I get; I am working on that. This offseason I am working on being more flexible and having the perfect pass set.
When the 2020 season gets going, are you taking on any new or different roles?
Yes. I am playing defense this season. We graduated a lot of seniors. I am playing right tackle and defensive tackle this season.
Are you excited about playing defensive tackle this season?
I am. I played barely any defense last year. It is exciting.
What have you been doing to improve your strength and conditioning over the spring and summer months?
We’ve been lucky, the gym at school has been open most of the time and I have also been working out at home and going to the field. I feel that I am in good shape now.
Have you had a chance to max out in the weight room this offseason?
Yes. On my power clean I got 315, my deadlift is just over 500, my bench is right at 300, and my squat is at 405.
Impressive.
Thank you.
Let’s talk about recruiting. How many offers have been handed to you?
Eleven.
Weidman’s Offer Sheet: Arizona State, Boston College, Buffalo, Duke, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, and Virginia
Are there any planned visits ahead for you?
I’d like to visit all the schools that have offered. In March I was supposed to visit Michigan and Boston College, I want to stay true to my word and visit them. I hope to take as many visits as I can.
What are the team workouts like for Southfield this summer?
We have three time slots in the weight room: 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00. We have 10 to 12 guys in each time slot working out with an open gym schedule. Everyone gets in the weight room four times a week. With practicing, we do our offensive line drills with our coach twice a week.
When do you guys put on the pads?
August 18th and 19th, one of those two days.
Is there an aspect or area of your game you are hoping to showcase throughout the 2020 season?
Really hoping that I can showcase my run blocking. It improved last year, and I am working on it hard this offseason. I am hoping to jump off from where I was in the 2019 season and improve from there.
Sully, it was great going over so many topics with you today. I appreciate your time and wish you and the team success preparing for the 2020 season this summer.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Weidman family; Sullivan Weidman