Interview: Division-I Coaches Missing Out on Division-I Talent with Bentonville CB Tyrone Mahone

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

There are a few Division-I caliber Class of 2016 athletes flying under the radar in the state of Arkansas (Fort Smith linebacker Si Kilinc and North Little Rock wide receiver Tobias Enlow to name a couple) and one of the bigger recruits is Bentonville High School cornerback Tyrone Mahone.

The stats, measurables, and numbers speak for Mahone better than the superlatives that can be added. The 6’0”, 175 pound, cover corner has been a playmaker since his sophomore season when he had 42 tackles, four tackles for a loss, and two picks. He followed that stat line up with 41 tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble in 2014.

A lot of interest was building until an ankle injury suffered in the Arkansas High School Playoffs scared away teams like Arkansas, Arkansas State, Kansas State, Memphis, Missouri, Navy, Nebraska, and Purdue. Before the injury, Mahone was clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.43 with a shuttle time of 4.19. All eyes were on Mahone to see how he would respond during his senior season. Opposing high school offenses tried to test Mahone but to no avail. He bested his previous seasons ending with 59 tackles, two interceptions, six pass breakups, and three forced fumbles.

Despite the improved stat line, Division-I schools are still backing away from Mahone as if ankle injuries are contagious. The frustrating part is, Mahone is back full strength and better than ever. He is already preparing for track season and has called his shot claiming he will break his own school record in the 200 meters set during his sophomore season.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Mahone just before his visit to Pitt State this weekend and got a recruiting news update finding out which teams are showing the most interest as National Signing Day approaches.

Interview

Alright Tyrone, the one thing that seems to be holding schools back from extending an offer is the fear factor over your ankle, not a knee ligament injury but an ankle injury. Where are you at with your ankle, speed, and strength? Have you ran a 40-yard dash or anything like that to give coaches an idea of where you are physically?

“I have not ran a 40 but I’ve gone from football to track now and I know I am way faster than I have ever been. And that is a good thing.”

You were clocked in the 4.43 range before your injury. Faster than that?

“Yes sir. I ran track my sophomore year, I couldn’t last year. This year I’m going to smash my record in the 200.”

What is your personal best in the 200?

“A 22.40, that’s our school record too.”

I know you have an offer from Eastern Illinois, are there any other schools that have extended offers lately?

“There are some Division-II schools that have offered but they did not make the cut. I have four visits lined up, Pitt State this weekend, then Central Oklahoma, Central Missouri, and then I’m either going to Eastern Illinois or another FCS school that I am not 100 percent on yet.”

Has Arkansas extended a walk-on offer to you?

“They did not. Arkansas State did but I did not accept it.”

With your visit to Pitt State this weekend, what are your goals with the visit?

“For all my schools, I want to sit down and say this is where I will spend the next four years of my life, grow as person, and get a good education. I want to leave college knowing I will be able to make it in life when I am done playing football.”

In general, what is the pitch the different schools are using to try to pull you to their school?

“All of the schools are saying I can make an immediate impact and see the field as a true freshman. Some are recruiting me at cornerback and some are saying I can play safety. Mostly, that’s what I am hearing.”

Because of your speed, are any of the coaches asking you about the possibility of playing wide receiver?

“Honestly, now that I know I have my speed back and my athleticism back, I feel like I can play both ways. Playing wide receiver is something that I can try if asked to do.”

You have all of the visits coming up but do you have an idea of when you want to verbally commit?

“I’m thinking right now – I’m going to do it the first of February. I have only told a couple of people. Feb. 1 is my target date to announce. Right after I get all of my visits in and do my evaluations for each school.”

If a big D-I school comes in last minute and offers you, would you be more inclined to take that offer?

“Yes, for sure. No doubt about it. I am capable of playing at that level. If I could play at that level given the opportunity, I would try to do that.”

In today’s game, the NFL will find you at any level. Moving on. I know your teammate, safety Logan Darby, is visiting Pitt State with you. Do you guys have a tandem visit set up anywhere else?

“Logan and I are going to Pitt State together and then Central Oklahoma. I’m going to Central Missouri and possibly another school by myself.”

Kind of a dumb and obvious question, but are you guys trying to play at the same school at the next level together?

“In a perfect world yes. That would be fantastic. I’m not sure what will happen in the future. If we both get offered by Pitt State or UCO it might happen.”

Hopefully Logan will be offered by both schools and both of you like both programs.

“Hopefully.”

Tyrone, good luck with your visit to Pitt State this weekend and the rest of your visits leading up to National Signing Day.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: scout.com; No. 4 Tyrone Mahone.

Photo credit: maxpreps.com; No. 4 Tyrone Mahone.