Interview: 4-Star 2021 Florida DE Cade Denhoff Talks Football and Saturday Alabama Visit
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The ascension of Class of 2021 defensive end/athlete Cade Denhoff has been a sight to see. The 6-5, 228-pound, defender has been a one-man wrecking crew destroying 3A Florida offenses every Friday night. He ended his sophomore campaign with 95 stops, 6.5 sacks, a batted down pass, and three forced fumbles. That play caught the eye of college recruiters and has pushed him to the head of the class among his peer group on the recruiting trail.
Denhoff’s breakout season has helped him earn four-star recruiting status and 25 scholarship offers, but his overall play this season is keeping those hopeful programs in constant contact. In addition to abusing offensive linemen playing rush end, the Lakeland Christian standout is also seeing time at the 4-technique and 0-tech showing he can mix it up against anyone, anytime, and anyplace. If his abilities on defense were not impressive enough, he is putting in part-time work on the Vikings offense this season as a receiver and tight end. As Denhoff’s talents have grown, the Vikings play on the field has seen a similar rise going from a 6-5 squad a year ago to 8-1 in 2019 with a top seed in the 3A playoffs.
Given all the Denhoff does on the field and all his recruiting options off it, I sat down for an in-depth conversation.
Interview
Cade, if you do not know this already, you are a special talent to say the least. I don’t remember interviewing a player who lines up at receiver and also at nose guard for his team. The athleticism is there, how did you push that in the pre-season so you could have a big junior year?
“By conditioning and being in shape to play multiple positions and on both sides of the ball. I can play all three spots on the defensive line. They are in a different area against different offensive linemen, but it is essentially the same. At tight end, I had to get the different routes separate from a receiver.”
To do what you do, you have to not only be in shape but have the strength and sustained strength to keep it up for four quarters. What are you doing during the week for extra training and/or to take care of your body for the grind on Friday?
“Ice baths, I drink a lot of water to stay hydrated, and we work out every day at school. I also stretch every day.”
Keeping with this do-all theme. How do you prepare for all your roles during the week to be successful in the games?
“There is not much else extra I do. I watch film on both sides of the ball and focus in on what I need to do for the game. I know my assignments and I am ready to play the game at 100 percent. I let the rest take care of itself.”
The spots on the field where I have you are at receiver, rush end and defensive end, and nose guard. Hand on the Bible, I looked to see if you are punting or handling any kicking duties. Am I missing anything?
(Laughs). “No that is it.”
Which position is your favorite to play?
“I like defensive end the most. I have played end since I started playing football. Receiver is fun, and it is fun to switch it up from playing defense, but end is my best position. I enjoy that the most.”
Your speed is a difference maker no matter where you line up, but certainly at end. What are some of the other strengths to your game in the trenches?
“Hand-placement is a big one for me. My hand moves in terms of pass rush, get-off and being faster than the offensive lineman. I do a good job at staying low – keeping my body and butt low.”
Seeing all the double- and triple-teams you fight through, that part of your game has had to improve. How have other aspects of your game improved this season picking up weaknesses to strengths and strengths to a dominating level?
“One of the biggest things is taking on double- and triple-teams, staying low, my get off, and making sure I am turning my body and hips to break through them. My get off has gotten a lot of better.”
And on offense, how is that part of your game coming along?
“It is good. I don’t play receiver as much. I am running crisp routes and making sure I am running it at the right yardage for the timing with the quarterback.”
In which game did you tear it up the best this season?
“My best game was against Kings Academy in Week 4.”
Why does that one top the list?
“I had four sacks.”
That works. I know you have a ton of offers. How many do you have now?
“Twenty-five.”
Denhoff’s Offer Sheet: Alabama, Central Florida, Clemson, FIU, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Iowa State, Liberty, Louisville, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Southern Miss, Toledo, Vanderbilt, Virginia, and West Virginia
Have you taken any game day visits this season?
“Yes. I have been to Florida for their game against Auburn, Georgia for their game against Notre Dame, and to Clemson for the Boston College game. I am going to Alabama for the LSU game this weekend.”
That will be fun. With the Florida visit, how did that go?
“The Florida visit was good. They had a really good atmosphere, a packed house, and played a great game. It was a competitive game and a fun time.”
And the Clemson visit?
“That was good too. I had a good time catching up with their staff. It was a good game and a good atmosphere. They have good atmosphere each week at Clemson.”
Circling back to this weekend for the Alabama visit. What has you excited about visiting Tuscaloosa?
“The atmosphere they will have for the big game and all that will be going on there for the game.”
Is there anything you want to see there or learn during the visit?
“Not really. I am looking forward to being with their coaches again, I was there in June. There is not a whole lot I want to see again; I just want to see the atmosphere.”
Ending with football. The team closed out the regular season against Discovery, when do you find out about playoff seeding and who you may play?
“We are a No. 1 seed. We have a bye week this week and whoever we play, that will be a home game.”
Having won seven consecutive, how well is the team playing overall?
“We are playing really well. Our defense is stout and has been all season. Our offense has picked it up a lot this season. The passing game has come a long way. Our defense has been doing it all year.”
What do you guys need to do to make this a trophy hoisting season to remember?
“We have to keep our eyes focused on the goal, continue to grind and do the little things to be successful.”
Cade, thanks for your time today. Good luck with your visit to Alabama this weekend and in the playoffs.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Denhoff family; Cade Denhoff at Notre Dame and Clemson