Interview: 3-Star OLB Talent Giovanni De Leon is Earning the ATH Label
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Every senior in high school, regardless of the sport, wants to make that year one to remember, Giovanni De Leon is making it happen. After a junior season filled with 68 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, three quarterback hurries, three passes defended, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble, the Los Alamitos talent wanted to take his game to another level. Full season stats on the outside linebacker have not been released, but in his last game alone he had nine total stops, four solo, two tackles for a loss, a sack, a hurry, and forced a fumble. Adding to his special season, De Leon (6-2, 205) is now a two-way starter playing both running back and receiver for the Griffins. In that same last game against Fountain Valley, he pulled in seven passes for 129 yards with a touchdown.
In a long overdue catch-up interview, I sat down with the true student-three-star-athlete who carries a 4.0 GPA and notched a 27 on the ACT and a 1210 on the SAT for an overview on his season and recruiting process.
Interview
Giovanni, to date the Griffins (2-5) have played a tough schedule this season. How have the tough games brought you guys together as a team?
“It has brought us close together. As hard as it is to lose, it makes us focus on getting better. We are progressing. We are like a balled fist, tighter together. I think that is really cool.”
Being your senior year and knowing you guys are taking on a lot of challenging squads, how has that helped you focus in even more on the field?
“It has helped shaped my game. We are not playing lower level opponents. I have been working on perfecting my craft and doing this experiencing it with my brothers. We are getting better and better. The challenges, it will help as we move further into our schedule.”
Going into the season, what were some of the goals you had set for yourself on and off the field?
“I wanted to be a great team player. I was a captain last year, but I wanted to step into role model leadership position. I wanted to make sure I was helping the guys out. I want to help no matter if it was personal or on the field. The goal is to do my job on offense, defense or on special teams and do what is asked of me.”
On the field, how have you pushed your game forward to achieve those goals?
“This season I have been more aggressive; that is what I needed to work on from last season. My speed, sideline-to-sideline, rushing the quarterback – everything I do needed to be faster and I have gotten faster.”
You are crashing down the edge doing speed rushes and delayed blitzes pummeling the quarterback. In what other ways are the coaches utilizing your talents on the field this season?
“The coaches have me starting at receiver now, I played some fullback last season. I am now going full-time both ways. Half way through season, one of our running backs was hurt. I stepped up and scored in that game. I have stepped up on offense this season. On defense, my pursuit and play recognition is improved. Being older, I realize how important watching film is to the game. You see habits, notice if it is run or pass. I know I have gotten better at that because of film.”
What do you now feel are the overall strengths to your game?
“I lead the team well on defense and make sure everyone is lined up. My play recognition, my pursuit is better, and my tackling are strengths. I think my speed was holding me back last season. After the offseason and training, I am faster and getting faster every day. That works translates onto the field.”
How many offers are you up to now?
“I have seven offers.”
Which schools are showing interest?
“Kansas State, Army, and Utah.”
De Leon’s Offer Sheet: Arizona State, UC-Davis, Fresno State, Navy, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Yale
Have you taken and official or unofficial visits recently?
“I went to a USC game, but I have not taken any official visits yet.”
How did the USC game day visit go?
“I was there with my family, I enjoyed myself.”
Are there any planned visits in the near future?
“I have not scheduled any yet, but I am talking to Yale, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico.”
Going into the classroom, what is your cumulative GPA?
“My cumulative GPA is a 4.0.”
What did you score on the ACT and/or SAT?
“On the ACT, I scored a 27 and, on the SAT, I scored a 1210.”
Nice. The team travels this week to face a talented Newport Harbor (7-0) squad. What kind of game are you expecting against the Sailors offense?
“I think they are underestimating us. They posted on Twitter, “if we win this week, it will be the first time the next game will be undefeated. I think they need to focus on us this week first. They will feel it on the field. On offense, they have a good running back. We need to game plan correctly for him. I think we will handle it this week.”
Giovanni, it was great spending time with you today. I wish you and the Griffins success the rest of the way.
“Thank you.”
**Click link for Giovanni De Leon’s Hudl reel from Fountain Valley game
Photo credits: Jason Sewell; Giovanni De Leon in action (2019)