Interview: All Eyes are on 3-Star 2022 Texas ATH/CB Eric Hemphill During the 2020 Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

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One of the thrilling aspects to any given high school football season is the ascension of a talented player capturing the attention of all. When the 2019 season ended for Brenham High School, Eric Hemphill III had everyone’s consideration as the next dynamic player coming out of the Lone Star State.

Hemphill’s status as a three-star recruit was earned through blood, sweat, and tears colliding against 5A Texas squads. The Class of 2022 prospect was a two-way player then racking up 50 stops with 15 pass breakups, five picks, a forced fumble, and a blocked punt on defense while taking back 13 kicks for 354 yards and three punts for 23 more. Hemphill’s productivity earned District Newcome of the Year and first team All-District honors.

When the 2020 season gets going, college scouts will have yet another area to evaluate what Hemphill can do on the field, he’s playing receiver as well. Taking on the new role will better help showcase his 10.98 speed in the 100 and clocked 4.53 in the 40. The other thing it will do, bring company to his Illinois State offer. Scouts from most of the Texas schools, like TCU, A&M, and Baylor, along with Oklahoma and Memphis are showing interest already.

In an RNG update interview, Hemphill takes a break from the workouts covering ground on his workouts with a sneak peak inside the Cubs preparations for the 2020 schedule.

*Click the link for the June 7 RNG interview with Eric Hemphill 

Interview

Eric, when we last spoke you broke down all that you were working on with your game as a corner. If you will, update us on all the parts of your game you focused on over the summer months.

This summer I have been working on my eyes, my jam, my off-man, basically staying patient, staying on the hips, and reading and reacting.

What have you been working on as a receiver this summer?

I don’t do receiver work like that the same as at corner. When I am at school, I run routes, work on my catching, breaks, and running routes.

Even in the limited work, where are you seeing the improvements as a receiver?

My route running. Being a cornerback, my coach, he’s my uncle, always says to be a good cornerback you have to play receiver too.

I agree 100 percent with that. Speed is a big part of what you bring to the field. What kind of workouts have you been doing to add more burst, speed, and twitchiness to what you do?

Coach Taylor has been working with me since the eighth grade, we’ve been working on my 40, explosive work, my form, and my sprint pattern. All of that work has been helping me a lot. We keep doing the same things, it keeps my speed up.

How have you been adding more physical strength to your frame?

Every time I work out with my trainer, we lift or do DB stuff. I work my core, on my balance, my arms and legs. I am always doing something. At school, we go hard every day doing bench, squat, cleans, biceps, quads, hamstrings – the entire body.

With all that you’ve been doing, where are you seeing improvements as a corner?

I am seeing a lot of improvement. I told my uncle that my game has improved with my patience and speed. With better technique, I don’t rely on my speed as much, but speed is always in my back pocket. My strength has helped me a lot. Not many guys have caught a ball on me because my strength has gotten better.

When does fall camp begin for the Cubs or have you started already?

No, we start on Sept. 1. Right now, we are doing SSI, working on formations, going over the defense, one-on-ones – that kind of stuff.

From the early goings, how is the team looking?

We are looking really good. We have a lot of people stepping into roles that will have a big year. Our quarterback and two of our receivers will have big years. Our defense is fast and violent. This season is a whole new thing for Brenham. I think we can be the No. 1 defense in the state of Texas.

Once you guys get going, what goals have you set for your junior campaign?

My goals this year are to have 10 picks, over 1,000 all-purpose yards – kickoff, punt return, and receiving, and I want 10 touchdowns this season. I want to do everything this year.

When do the Cubs kickoff the 2020 season?

On Sept. 25. against Magnolia West.

Which games are you looking forward to this season?

Magnolia, Mag (Magnolia) West, and East View – every year we play them it is close. Those dudes will come with it this year.

Eric, it was great spending more time with you getting an update on your workouts. Wishing you and the Cubs success in the coming weeks preparing for the 2020 season.

Thank you.

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Photo credit: Hemphill family; Eric Hemphill