Interview: 4-Star 2022 Illinois LB Sebastian Cheeks Talks Recruiting and Potential Visits
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
What was a setback then has become a blessing now. Injuries are an unfortunate part of any sport, and those in football can be really impactful with a ticking clock at the high school level. A shoulder separation for Evanston High School linebacker Sebastian Cheeks robbed him of at least six games a year ago, but the heartbreak for some has turned into a character building thrust forward for one of the nation’s top Class of 2022 linebackers.
On film and on paper, Cheeks checks all the boxes of an elite prospect. Listed at 6-3, 205-pounds, he flies around the field using athleticism and amazing instincts for the game disrupting plays in the backfield before they get going. His status as a four-star recruit with nine offers in-hand tell the tale, but there is more to him than the physical specimen on the field. After talking to Cheeks, there is a maturity beyond his years and a determination to achieve his goals that is sincere and awe inspiring.
In an RNG first-look, Cheeks fills us in on his offseason workouts, status for the 2020 season, and covers ground on his recruiting options.
Interview
Sebastian, you have an uncanny knack for getting to the ball in a heartbeat. This is an impossible question, but how much of that is instinct and how much of that is your game prep during the week?
Honestly, you brought it up about the instincts, that is more of a natural talent for me. I have been playing football since I was 7-years-old. The coaches and people in my corner helping me progress mentally on the field since then are why. My biggest thing is reading. The first thing I check out on each play is the line, that is why you see that first step to the ball.
Your speed and burst are something else. On one of your tackles for a loss last season, I believe you checked four or five players full-on TSA style looking at their ID and then got the running back for a loss of five or six yards. How fast are you?
(laughs) Last year I ran, at the beginning, a 4.72. I dropped my number to a 4.59 laser, but I have not run it since. Hopefully this year on the field my improved speed shows. I went to state in hurdles. I want to make plays all over the field, to do that you need speed. This season I want to be versatile and play all over the field.
Let’s stick with your track abilities. Which events where you running?
The 300 and 110 hurdles, the 200 and 400, and the 4×4 and 4×2 relays.
Which individual event do you feel is your best?
The 110 hurdles.
And what was your best time in the 110?
14.89.
Back to football. Looks like you guys were running a 3-4 with you getting snaps on the outside and on the inside. What schemes were you guys running and what were your responsibilities?
Last year we played a 3-4. My responsibility was to make sure nothing gets outside while stacking and a filling up the inside between the guards. As a player, I will play wherever they put me. Colleges are wanting me at Rover. I will run and get to the ball wherever they put me. Wherever the ball is at, I will go make the play. At Evanston, they put me everywhere. At the end of this season on film you will see that.
Once you ended your sophomore season, what did you feel you were doing well making you so productive?
Coming out of last year, I have grown so much mentally. That was the process overall for me. Last year it was about taking it slow, making that decision to have surgery on my shoulder. I knew it would help me, and it has been so helpful. I understand my body so much more now. Where I am at today, I am so much better mentally and physically. I received so much good feedback from everyone along the way. A lot of people have helped me progress physically and mentally. I have learned a lot.
From a technique standpoint, what were some of the strengths to your game?
I felt that I was very good at reading the backfield. I will read the play at the line, but if I make the wrong read I will give 100 percent effort flying to the ball.
What have you focused on with the small details of your game this offseason as a defender?
That is a great question. One of my main things since my injury – I lifted a lot at an early age but did not learn the composition of my body. As weird as it is to say, I am glad to go through that injury and surgery with my shoulder. I have worked on my rotator cuff, my back, and setting everything back up properly. I am getting the right posture, resetting my frame and building up with solid muscle weight.
With my technique, I have been working on my pass coverage and getting back vertically. Coaches in college may want to play me at safety. I am working as a linebacker and defensive back. Doing that will help my game overall.
With that, you’ve mentioned you will be all over the field this season. Where all are you lining up?
This season I will be on both sides of the ball at outside and inside linebacker, and at running back. You might see more at running back than backer this year, if that is what my team needs.
The time in at running back this season, are you excited about taking on that challenge?
Oh yeah, for sure, I will be ready. Put on that film, you will understand. I will let it all out on the field. With the season being postponed because of the virus, when it happens and you see it, you’ll understand.
I like it. Let’s talk about your recruiting. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
Schools showing large interest are Texas, Ohio State, Oregon, I’ve had talks with Purdue, and Illinois.
How many offers have been given to you?
Nine.
Which program was the last couple to offer?
The last one was Kentucky.
Cheeks’ Reported Offer Sheet: Boston College, Iowa State, Kentucky, Michigan, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Syracuse, and Wisconsin
Going back to last season, did you get to take any unofficial visits?
I did. My last visit was to Wisconsin.
How did that visit go? What all did you see and do?
Wisconsin was a very good visit. They showed a ton of hospitality to my family. Overall, it was a great experience. The coaches were all down to earth. They kept it 100 with me the whole visit. When I talked to their head coach, that is when they decided to offer me.
Have you taken any virtual visits this offseason?
I have. I have taken a virtual visit to Texas.
What did they show you during that visit?
It was a great visit. They showed the ins and outs of the program and talked about how they can help me in the classroom. As you know, Texas is a large program. They are not like most colleges. It was good to get a good insight on the program. Hopefully I can get a visit in to Austin.
Sticking with that, are there any visits you’d like to take when allowed?
Yes, some of the visits I want to take are to Ohio State, they invited me, Notre Dame, Texas, and Oregon.
Let’s get to the 2020 season. How has fall camp with the Wildkits gone?
We went into fall camp a couple of weeks ago. We had the right coaches and staff to make sure we were taking the right protocols. They have pushed back the start of the season. As of right now, we will start back up in late October or early November.
When will the first game of the 2020 season be now?
It will be the first week in March.
With this extra time, what short-term goals have you set for yourself?
My short-range goals are to improve team bonding. I want to keep getting to know the guys on the team. As a team captain, I need to get to know everyone better. I feel that is important. I want to pick them up and make sure they are on top of their game this offseason.
Sebastian, it has been a lot of fun going over your play on the field, workouts, and recruiting. I appreciate your time and wish you and the guys continued success this fall preparing for the 2020 season.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Cheeks family; Sebastian Cheeks