Interview: 4-Star 2022 Kansas ATH/FS Dasan McCullough has Key Recruiting Visits in Mind
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The all-everything season Dasan McCullough posted during the 2019 schedule as a sophomore was truly impressive. The then- 6-4, 200-pound (now 6-5, 216), safety was everywhere on the field for Blue Valley North producing 74 stops with five passes broken up, five picks, and three forced fumbles against 6A Kansas teams, and college football coaches have fallen in love with all that he brings to the game.
Last season, McCullough was able to use his improving speed and strength to tear down running backs and intimidate receivers coming into his territory. Even more impressive is his attention to detail and his commitment in the film room, which pops immediately on game film. The complete package of the physical coupled with the game day preparation through the week is nearly overshadowed by his maturity and acute determination to be the best.
Although McCullough’s sophomore year was thrilling, even he would be the first to tell you that his potential has yet to be reached. As his body continues to grow, now at 6-foot 5-inches, and he adds muscle and more speed to his physical giftings, the future for the four-star prospect is full of unlimited possibilities and at any number of positions. The wide array of skills has already pushed 41 offers to the Olathe area standout.
In a comprehensive Q&A interview, McCullough takes us behind the scenes on his game with an update on his recruiting process.
Interview
Dasan, I love the way you play the safety position, especially when it comes to taking down the ball carrier. What gets you hyped on a Friday night to go out there and play at an elite level?
“Every game feels really easy to me for the most part due to my preparation. Every day I watch one to 1.5 hours of film at school, then I watch more film on my own taking my own notes. Every game seems like a practice. My preparation is key to my performance.”
Nicely setting up my next question. If it is film study or instincts, your abilities to dissect a play shows on game film. How did your understanding of the game and offenses grow last season with the game experience?
“Our coach will have cut ups in every formation and then we break it down in percentages in each formation. As a safety, I study the tackles to see what they do. It is high school football, they are not taught well for the most part. I look at their hands for pass or run block and the receivers’ stance and releases – the little things I notice. When I dissect it, I do it from multiple positions: linebacker, corner, and as a defensive end coming off the edge. I know what I am doing in each game. As a free safety this year, I knew everyone’s job. That helps be a leader too.”
Impressive. When the 2019 season ended, what did you feel were the strengths to your game as a defender?
“When the season ended, my football IQ raised knowing the game even more. I have been around it longer now. After working hard in the weight room, I competed better physically. It was a mental thing for me as well. If I come in and know what I am doing along with my goal, it is all preparation. How prepared will I be? My strength was my IQ and me dissecting the play quickly.”
Where all will we see you on the field in 2020, playing any offense?
“Yeah. Coming into the season you will see me everywhere: receiver, linebacker, free and strong safety, some defensive end and some middle linebacker, if I had to guess. I will be everywhere on defense.”
Throughout the offseason, what have you been working on to prepare for your junior run?
“That is the big thing I like about myself, I am honest to myself. I know what I need to work on, and I get that from coaches. I am working on my speed, I have chopped my 40 down every couple of weeks this offseason. Last season I played at 6-4, 200-pounds. This year I am coming in at around 6-5, 220. I have put on more muscle and I have gotten faster. I’m filling out my body the right way. No sophomore is ready to play college football, so I have been working on everything. With the virus, I have had a lot more time to focus on myself; it has been great.”
To fill in the muscle and get ready for the 2020 season, what has been your daily workout routine?
“I have a gym I lift at, and we have a trainer working with us. There are five or six of us working out together five or six times a week. My focus is on speed, lifting, power lifting sometimes, and movement stuff. We do everything. There is a DB trainer there, I work on that too. Everything you can think of I am working on during the week. It is perfect.”
A minute ago, you mentioned your 40-yard dash time. What are you running this offseason?
“My fastest was 4.58, most consistent is a 4.62.”
That’s scary for running backs to learn. Have you maxed out this offseason?
“Yes. My power clean is around 270, I bench around 275, and my squat is around 400 – in the low 400s.”
So it seems, you have all the offers possible. Are there any schools showing interest yet to offer?
“No. All the schools showing interest have offered.”
And how many offers do you have now?
“I have 40 or 41, I think Clemson made it 41.”
Which programs were the last couple to offer?
“Ohio State, Clemson, and Florida State reoffered me. Those area all the recent ones. Now it is building relationships with schools. That is what I am looking forward to now, building relationships with coaches.”
Going back to last season, did you get to visit any schools?
“Over spring break, I was the very last visit allowed at Alabama. Everything was cancelled in SEC while I was on my trip. We were 10 minutes away from Alabama when that happened. They let me finish that out because I was almost there. I was going to Clemson and Georgia after that.”
How did the Alabama visit go for you?
“It went really well. I like the whole tradition they have there. It seems business like. Coach (Nick) Saban (head coach) is a great dude. It was different at Alabama, but that was my first visit. I didn’t know what to expect. It was different but not in a bad way; it was cool. I will go to more places to compare the visits.”
Speaking of, what other schools might you visit in the future?
“When the campuses open up, I want to visit places like, in no order yet, Ohio State, Texas, Oklahoma, LSU and Michigan, Clemson, and Florida when we start going out further. With the visits, there is no order or dates set.”
Given that you are one of the most highly recruited players in the nation, how do you balance all the attention from college programs in your personal life?
“I don’t look into it much, but it is a lot every day. There are a lot of coaches talking to me. Once I am off the phone, it is back to my normal life. I am a sophomore, I am not thinking about it too much yet. They are recruiting for my potential right now; my main goal is living up to the hype. The recruiting stuff is the blessing that comes with it all, I balance it well.”
Are you playing any other sports for Blue Valley North?
“During my freshman year I played basketball. This year I did track, but that was cancelled. I may do basketball and track next year – maybe. Every year I try to play two sports.”
Last question for you. What goals have you set for the 2020 season?
“For the team, win a state championship. At my high school, we don’t think of anything less than a championship. That is my goal. I am a team guy, I will do what it takes to win. For my personal goals, it would be cool to lead Kansas in tackles and break my school interception record. But my main goal is going undefeated and winning a championship. I hold my teammates accountable, that is my focus.”
Dasan, truly impressive talking to you today getting insight in all that you are doing to better yourself as player. Thanks for your time and good luck to you and your teammates as you continue to prepare this summer for the 2020 season.
“Thank you.”
McCullough’s Offer Sheet: Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Boston College, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Fresno State, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Massachusetts, Miami-Ohio, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Texas, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Texas, Toledo, Tulsa, USC, Utah, Washington, Western Illinois, and Western Kentucky
Photo credit: McCullough family; Dasan McCullough at Alabama