Interview: 40-Offer 4-Star 2023 Louisiana FS/ATH Tackett Curtis Visiting 12 Colleges in June
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The world of college football has fallen in love with Class of 2023 free safety/athlete Tackett Curtis, and for good reason. The Many High School standout is a boss on the field making impact plays on seemingly every snap of the ball giving the feel that he is covering the entire field for the Tigers. If it is a free safety blitz, going deep or sideline to sideline covering the pass, or coming down the alley 100 miles per hour blowing up a running back, Curtis is making the play. The speed and power of the 6-2.5, 215-pound, prospect lends opportunities in other areas of the game. During the 2020 season, Curtis was a return specialist and this fall he will be adding starting quarterback duties to his list of responsibilities.
With 40 offers having already poured in, Curtis is exploring his recruiting options this summer. Visits have already been taken to Michigan, Wisconsin, and Texas A&M with heavy-hitters Georgia and Clemson on Friday. The four-star recruit keeps the tour going throughout the month of June with more visits planned in SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Pac-12 territories.
Interview
Tackett, what is a typical offseason workout like for you?
A typical offseason workout would be, we have high school workouts in the morning at 7:00 a.m. I do some weight lifting and speed drills with the team then; that is always fun. That goes to 10-10:30. I am playing quarterback this year too, so I am also getting with guys, throwing with guys, and working on routes. In the afternoon I get more speed work in doing ladders, working on quick feet, and running sprints.
Backing up a bit; are you excited about playing quarterback this season?
Yes, sir. I am really excited. I will be impacting the ball from both sides. Sometimes on defense, I am wanting to be on offense to help my team. This year I will have more control of the game. I am pumped, and I have been working hard.
Do you have a background playing quarterback?
I played a lot of quarterback and running back as a kid, and safety and outside linebacker; all of them as a kid. I had been pretty good. They thought I was the best guy for the job at quarterback.
What type of offense will you be running this season?
We run a pro-style offense. We pound the rock, we pass when needed, and we get it done. Our offense is old school, we control the clock and the game.
Back to your workouts. What are some of the lifts and training you are doing in the weight room?
I am doing a lot of the lifts like power cleans that have that explosion piece; that is a football lift. You have to explode through contact. Of course, I am also doing deadlifts, same type of deal, back and front squats; those are the main lifts. I am doing lunges, pullups – a bunch of lifts. It is fun. We have a good time.
Have you maxed out on any of your lifts recently?
I got one today, my bench press max is 315.
Nice. What are you doing to increase your speed and agility?
I get out there and work. Sometimes I go on the track with my spikes, that is top speed performance. I also use a bungie cord, with two people on each end. The guy in the front pulls the guy in the back. It is a form of overspeed training.
What is the best 40-yard dash time you’ve posted?
A 4.56.
On defense, what are you working on with your technique?
In our defense I play free safety, I read the guards a lot and I am also working on when I see pass. In our classification, a lot of high schools put the best guy at quarterback. I am watching the quarterback, spying him, helping out with the pass and run game. I am getting better at reading guards and being quicker reading pass. My focus has been on my vision and getting my pre-snap reads down.
Are there any camps you may attend this summer?
None this summer, I am strictly on visits. These schools are offering me daily. They are begging me to come see them. We are trying to show that mutual interest. Schools are calling all the time. This summer I am taking my visits trying to find the best fit. I have been to Michigan, Wisconsin, and Texas A&M so far and I am going to Georgia and Clemson on Friday.
The Michigan visit, how did that go?
It went great. Coach (Jim) Harbaugh (head coach) is awesome. I spent pretty much the whole day from breakfast to dinner with him. He is a cool man. Coach (George) Helow (LB) and Coach (Mike) MacDonald (DC) showed me the defense. Their facilities are best of the best. You are not going to find better facilities. I got to bring the whole crew with me.
And the A&M visit, how did that go?
It went great. They are also a team with top-of-the-line facilities. They have put a lot of money into their program. The coaches and staff are awesome. I met with Coach (Jimbo) Fisher (head coach), he told me some good stories and lessons. A&M has a great staff, my whole family enjoyed it. I could not have asked for a better time.
What were some of the lessons and stories Coach Fisher told you about?
They were some personal things, but mainly about him being in my area and knowing where I am from. Nothing too crazy. He was telling me their motto, what they go by, about their culture, and the guys they have in their program.
With the Georgia and Clemson visits, what are you looking at with each and hoping to learn?
When I go on a visit, the main thing I am looking at is fit, culture, coaches, and staff. I am looking at how I would fit, my best fit, and fitting into that program and culture along with their defense. I want to see how I can be developed and grow at that school.
What other visits are on the schedule for you after Clemson and Georgia?
After going to Georgia and Clemson on Friday, I am visiting Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Stanford, and USC (June 26).
Tackett, thank you for your time today. Wishing you success with your visits this summer.
Thank you, sir.
Curtis’ Offer Sheet: Arkansas, Auburn, Boston College, Clemson, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Houston, Illinois, Iowa State, Liberty, Louisiana, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Monroe, Louisville, LSU, Memphis, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, SMU, South Alabama, South Carolina, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Tulane, USC, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Wisconsin
Photo credit: Curtis family; Tackett Curtis