Interview: 5-Star 2021 Georgia OLB/ATH Smael Mondon Talks Recruiting and Visits

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

In the barber shop or around the watercooler, when football fans talk about the top 2021 high school football athletes, Smael Mondon has to be mentioned among the elite. Although listed as an outside linebacker, and a vicious one at that, Mondon is a do-everything talent on both sides of the ball for Paulding County High School.

Those in the Peach State may be well-aware of Mondon, and the rest of the country is only a senior season away from learning his name. Mondon was so talented and dynamic that despite a tough 2-8 run for his Patriots’ team in 2019 he still earned first team All-County, second team All-Region, and Region Athlete of the Year for his defensive abilities. On offense, he helped carry the proverbial load rushing for an estimated 700 yards off 57 totes with six scores and hauled in 15 passes for 186 more yards with another trip into the end zone.

On the national landscape, the 6-3, 220-pound, standout is one of the most highly recruited players in the nation with 37 reported offers to choose from and five-star status attached to his name. The process for Mondon could get crazier with official visits coming up and an open mind to where he may play college football.

To talk about his productivity on the field and recruiting process of it, Mondon sat down for an in-depth one-on-one RNG interview.

Interview

Smael, you are one of the few people at the high school level who can truly say he does a little bit of everything for his team. If you will, tell us where all you lined up on the field during the 2019 season?

“During the 2019 season I lined up at outside linebacker, inside linebacker, running back, quarterback, receiver, H-back, and as a kick returner.”

Defense may be your standout position, but your athleticism gets to truly shine on offense, especially coming out of the backfield. Big men your size are not supposed to move like that. How fast are you?

“I ran the 100-meters my sophomore year; I ran an 11.1 then. I never really ran an official laser-timed 40 before. Hand-timed, my best was a 4.48 and then a 4.53.”

Not surprising at all. I am sure you are as confident in your abilities as anyone, but was it ever surprising to you seeing yourself out run an entire 5A Georgia defense, even when safeties and linebackers have the angle on you?

“Not surprising, I know what I can do but it feels good though.”

On defense, looks like you guys were running a 5-2 at times with you as an inside backer. What were your responsibilities within the scheme last season?

“Sometimes we ran a 4-man front and the 5-2, but we never rushed five; it was more of a 3-4. We dropped one or two players. I played inside linebacker to the boundary. I was the Will for my team this year.”

Your blitzing created so much chaos in the opposition’s backfield a year ago. How did that part of your game improve throughout the course of the season?

“It improved with reps; I was able to get better timing. I was able to work on my timing, my moves, and shedding blockers.”

What do you feel are your overall strengths on the field as a linebacker?

“My speed first. At the high school level, I can run with anyone. My strength, physicality, and versatility are also strengths to my game.”

Since the season ended, what have you been working on with your game?

“I have been working on my balance, body control, and overall strength.”

During the quarantine, what have you been doing on a daily basis to stay in football shape?

“I have been training with my trainer, and running on my own.”

So it seems, you have all the offers possible. Are there any programs showing interest that have not offered yet?

“No.”

How many offers do you have?

“I have 37 offers.”

Mondon’s Offer Sheet: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Colorado, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi State, Nebraska, N.C. State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, South Carolina, Stanford, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, USC, Virginia, and Virginia Tech

Going back to the 2019 season, did you take any unofficial visits?

“Since September, I took a couple of visits. I went to Georgia in September, Florida in October, and in January I went to Tennessee, Auburn, and Georgia again.”

The Georgia visits, how did those go?

“It was good. The first time I went, I was there for the Murray State game day experience. I talked to the coaches and watched the game. In January, I saw the facilities, the dorms, and academic center.”

And the Florida visit, how did that go?

“That was good too. I was there for the Auburn game; it was their homecoming game. During the visit I talked to the coaches and got to experience the game day atmosphere. It was a really good game.”

Last visit question. If you will, tell me about the Tennessee visit.

“That was good too. I was there in November and January. In November, I was there for the Vanderbilt game; that was my first game day there. During the second visit, I saw their facilities.”

Once the campuses open back up, do you have any planned official and/or unofficial visits?

“I was planning on going to Oklahoma on March 26, that was set out and everything was booked, but it was cancelled. Hopefully, I will go back up there. LSU and Ohio State are two other visits I would like to take.”

All top recruits go through this where the fans, and the college programs, want to know your top schools. Are you going to drop a “Top Schools” list?

“That is something I have been thinking about, but I am not sure when I will drop it. I am still thinking about it.”

Another thing that comes with all the offers is wondering when you will commit. Do you have a commitment date in mind?

“I am not sure of that yet. It was going to be later, but now it could be before the season or during the season.”

When the time comes to make a decision, what does the ideal fit look like for you?

“It is a combination of the relationship I have with my position coach – having a good relationship with him and trusting him, my fit in the defense, and the team culture along with the direction of the program. That might be it.”

Are there any family members that play football or other sports?

“Yes. My sister, she is the closest one in age to me, she’s at Georgia State now but used to run track, one of my brothers plays football and the other plays basketball.”

Smael, it was great getting time in with you today. Wishing you continued success with the recruiting process and your workouts this spring.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Mondon family; Smael Mondon at Georgia and Tennessee