Interview: Calabasas DE Arthur Kaslow Turning Raw Talent into Next Level Talent
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Every high school has that one guy at the school that the players and coaches see the potential in but said player is committed to playing a different sport, that player has become the “what if” guy. At Calabasas High School, a program stocked full of Division-I football talent, the players and coaches could see Arthur Kaslow being a difference maker on the gridiron but he was committed to playing basketball.
A change of fortunes came for Coyotes head coach Casey Clausen when the 6-foot 3-inch athlete decided to test his athletic abilities on the high school gridiron in 2014. Kaslow has embraced his athletic gifts on the field becoming a standout defensive end/linebacker hybrid for the Los Angeles area team. After four games into his first year of playing football, Kaslow was a starter knocking off the “what if” to being an “I told you so” for those around him seeing his talents. The big-motor/high energy player ended up leading the team in tackles with 86 and in tackles for a loss with 14 in 11 games played. Kaslow also had three passes defended, three fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, and picked up 1.5 sacks.
Proving that his junior year was not a fluke, in seven games played this season Kaslow has 57 tackles, five behind the team leader Alec Stevenson (middle linebacker), and has already tied his tackle for a loss numbers from last year with 14. Kaslow has upped his all-around game with 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and a pass breakup (all stats through first seven games, Calabasas is now 7-1).
The other thing Kaslow has done to show his commitment to the game, he put on about 30 pounds of muscle in the offseason going from 195 pounds to 225. College coaches that have scouted Calabasas High School over the past two seasons have taken notice. Kalsow already has an offer from San Diego with Cal Poly San Louis Obispo showing heavy interest among others like Dartmouth, Cornell, and Harvard.
One thing college coaches may not know about the emerging football talent, Kaslow is a leader on and off the field. In the classroom he is carrying a 3.05 GPA and has a SAT cumulative score of 1820.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Arthur before Calabasas’ 34-0 win over Agoura on Friday night to get his thoughts on the Coyotes’ season and his personal play to date, and got a recruiting news update.
Interview
Arthur, the 2014 season was your first year playing high school football. What has been the biggest difference for you from last year to your senior season on the field?
“My junior year was more about learning the position and getting back into football. This year it is more about mastering the technique of my position. I spent a lot of time in the offseason working with my line coach learning as much as possible. I spent a lot of time last year just getting the plays down.”
You mentioned working on technique in the offseason, what else did you work on during that time?
“I put on 30 pounds of muscle and lifted a lot. I did a lot of footwork and conditioning drills with our offensive line coach and worked on technique as much as I could.”
When guys put on a lot of muscle, sometimes the tendency is to get too big for their frame which slows them down. Have you noticed any differences in your game speed with more weight on you?
“I actually put on 40 pounds but I saw that I lost some speed and became a little stiff. I found my balance and dropped back down to 225. Putting on the weight was not hard, as soon as I noticed I was getting stiff I changed up my workouts and eating to be more lean and balanced.”
With all of that increase in muscle and weight lifting I’m assuming you saw a big jump in your gains in the weight room. What is your bench press and squat max?
“We don’t do any of that stuff to be honest. We never do vertical jumps. I’ve never been to any camps where they have done it. Same with my 40-yard dash, I’ve never been timed.”
The Coyotes have one loss, a tough one to Camarillo (40-39), but you guys are loaded with talent. How does the team look going down the back stretch of the season getting ready for the playoffs?
“I think we have a lot of talent on the field and have built a good chemistry over time. The only way we lose is if we beat ourselves. If we play how we are supposed to play there is no one that can beat us.”
You have three games left on the schedule (now two), of the three are there any games you are excited to play?
“Tomorrow we play our rival, Agoura. They are a big school in our district and it is our last home game. Last year we lost to Simi Valley, this year is a vengeance game (Nov. 6). We have some big reasons to be excited for our final games.”
What are the strength of this year’s football team?
“Defensively, I think our D-line, most of our defense is really good if we are all doing our job. Our pass game on offense is good. I think all around it’s in the moment, if a team is stopping our run, we can pass the ball well. We just have a strong team all the way around.”
What has been your best individual game of the season so far?
“I think it was Week 4 against Pacifica. Stats wise, the game was not great but I made a lot of big plays. I forced a fumble and recovered a fumble. I had a good game against them.”
What are your strengths on the field?
“I think it’s my speed and tenacity. I’m running as fast as I can to the ball and then do whatever I can to take down the ball carrier.”
Which schools are recruiting you right now?
“A lot of schools are talking to me. I have an offer from San Diego. I’ve been talking to Dartmouth, Cornell, and Cal Poly San Louis Obispo. Our coaches talk to schools for me. The coaches have been talking to, I think it’s been Harvard and a couple of other schools, I’m not sure. They tell me different schools want to see my transcripts.”
It seems like you will have a lot of opportunities to pick and choose from different schools before National Signing Day comes around. When you start breaking down the different schools, what are some of the things that will influence where you will play your college ball?
“My biggest influence is definitely academics over everything else. Second is football and third is more about location, student body size, and that type of stuff.”
Did you go to any one-day college camps during the offseason?
“I went to San Diego and Cal Poly San Louis Obispo.”
Makes sense that the schools showing the most interest are the ones that saw you in person.
“Yeah.”
Of the two camps which camp did you perform your best?
“I think I did my best at the San Diego camp. The San Diego camp was more personal, not as many people. I went to the camp after my offer. I wanted to show the coaches what I can do in person. I had a great time at their camp. There was about 10 kids per position. At the Cal Poly camp there was more like 40-50 kids per position. At San Diego they broke down how to play the position well at their camp.”
Do you know what you want to major in once in college?
“Finance or business, I’m trying to get into the best program I can.”
What is your cumulative GPA?
“3.05.”
Have you taken your ACT or SAT yet?
“I took the SAT. I got a 520 reading, 710 math, and 590 on the writing.”
Are you playing any other sports for Calabasas?
“No, I’m done with basketball.”
Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?
“Definitely my position coach, Michael Ebbitt. I came in not knowing anything how to play the position. Now I have knowledge of the game because of him. When I’ve gone to camps the coaches at camps are repeating the same things Coach Ebbitt teaches me at practice. It’s like being coached by a college coach. Sione Aliki, our other defensive end, if we do our jobs we’ll be successful thanks to Coach Ebbitt. It’s good to know I can trust him on the other side with us working off each other.”
What is your favorite part of playing football?
“My favorite part of the game is more about the physical nature of the sport and how it is a family thing. Basketball you don’t have the same bond. With football, you are fighting for each other, I love that the most.”
Arthur, thanks for your time today and good luck the rest of the way.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: scout.com; Arthur Kaslow
Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Calabasas takes the field.
Photo credit: vcstar.com; No. 47 Arthur Kaslow