Interview: Dynamic 4-Star 2021 ATH/WR Daejon Reynolds Covers Recruiting and Visits
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The 2018 high school football season for Daejon Reynolds captured the imagination of possibilities for college coaching staffs across the nation. Reynolds showed flashes of outstanding play hauling in 37 passes for 472 yards with two scores. That effort earned him four-star recruiting status and a stack of scholarship offers.
Reynolds’ play on the field with Central Gwinnett High School a year ago, in the grand scheme of things, was truly a snapshot of his potential. The 6-2, 195-pound, talent is proving to be more than a receiver or an “athlete” as he is lighting it up this season in the secondary for the Black Knights. Through eight games this year, Reynolds has put an end to 55 total plays with four interceptions. On the other side of the ball, the Lawrenceville area product has lived up to the billing with 1,123 yards off 61 receptions with 10 trips into the end zone and has carried the rock twice for 25 yards with another score against 7A Georgia competition.
Coming off a 10-reception 150 yard 10-tackle game against Brookwood, I got a few minutes with Reynolds going in-depth on his skills and recruiting process while covering his lengthy visit list.
Interview
Daejon, given all that you do on the field, how did you prepare your body for the grind and conditioning you knew was coming over the 2019 schedule?
“Since the beginning of the season, I knew where we were standing with our numbers. I knew I wanted to play both sides to help my team win games.”
You are doing a ton of running. Are you getting extra work in to keep pace on the field?
“It is funny, I feel like I might not run enough, but I run after practice. I never get tired. I’m never off the field and I never get tired.”
If you can bottle that up, I need some of that. (Daejon laughs) As an offensive player, what did you work on and how did you prepare for the season?
“My route running was something that I worked on for sure. Most defensive backs think I am a two-route player, post and go’s. Defensive backs would have trouble following me on other routes if we did all of them; I know what it is like.”
What about on defense? How did you prepare for the season?
“I was not expecting to play defense, but kind of was expecting to play some corner or defensive back in general. I thought we had more numbers, but coach said they needed me and I was ready. I worked on the drills to prepare. On defense, it is an IQ game. I have a higher football IQ than others. I am perfect for the situation. I know what they (receivers) are going to do. This experience is better for me as an overall player.”
Agreed. You are lighting it up on offense with a tremendous 18-yard per reception average. What are you doing so well on the field leading to the big plays?
“I am getting open. I worked on my route running, that is helping. Working on my ball skills with my quarterback is making a difference. I get a lot of YAC (yards after catch) yards. We run a lot of screens; I can catch and run as a receiver too. I don’t let one person tackle me and I make people miss.”
Your speed shows on film. What is the best 40-yard dash you’ve put down?
“My best is a hand-timed 4.53 over the summer.”
So far this season, which game has been your best and why do you consider that one tops?
“My best game was probably against Norcross or Dacula. On offense and defense in the Norcross game I played really well. Against Dacula, I had 15 tackles. In the Norcross game, I had double-digit tackles and one or two touchdowns.”
I have to ask, Daejon the defender going against Daejon the receiver – who wins the matchup?
(Laughs) “Probably the receiver, only because I am playing defense because of my athletic ability. I’m not sure if I want to play defense in college because I will enter into it unexperienced as compared to others.”
At which position are most teams offering you scholarships?
“Michigan has offered me as an athlete. Georgia, they are a top school that wants me as a defensive back. I was there over the summer for a 7v7 tournament, Coach (Charlton) Warren (DB) talks to me a lot recruiting me as a DB. Clemson likes me at DB too.”
Seems like you have all the offers in the world, are there any schools showing interest that have not offered yet?
“Oklahoma and Alabama are showing interest but have not offered yet.”
How many offers do you have?
“I have 28 – I just added an offer from Wisconsin.”
Reynold’s Offer Sheet: Auburn, Baylor, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Mississippi State, N.C. State, Nebraska, Northern Iowa, Ole Miss, Purdue, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, West Virginia, and Wisconsin
This fall, have you taken any visits?
“Yes. I went to Georgia on a visit for the Notre Dame game.”
How did that visit to Georgia go?
“It was a lot better than when I went in the spring. I liked it a lot more. There was a different atmosphere for the game. There were a lot of people there, and the fans were going crazy. The fans made it a lot better.”
Over the summer and spring you were in Athens, did you go to any other schools during the break?
“On June 22, I went to LSU.”
Tell me about that one.
“It was a great visit. I went with my coach and my quarterback. My coach is from there. We ate great food and were treated like family. We were treated with tremendous hospitality at LSU. I loved their facilities. Coach (Ed) Orgeron (head coach) is great and easy to talk to; all the coaches at LSU are easy to talk to.”
Coming up, are there any planned trips on the schedule?
“There are. I am going to Alabama for the LSU game, Auburn for the Georgia game, and I might go to the Georgia again for the Texas A&M game. I may also go to LSU for their game against Texas A&M.”
Busy man. Last question regarding recruiting; what is one thing you like about the recruiting process and one thing you do not like?
“One thing I like is, it is fun going to the games. That is fun for me. It is also fun getting recognition for the things you’ve done on the field when visiting other schools. But it is stressful. When you have things planned and cannot do them; it all comes so fast. You do not have enough time to do what you want to do with recruiting sometimes.”
A fun question to close it out. What is this year’s Halloween costume?
(Laughs) “I don’t know. Two years ago, we went and got a lot of candy. But it is getting cold already. I’m not sure if I am going this year or not.”
Daejon, it was great learning more about you and your game on the field today. Wish you success the rest of the season and with all the upcoming visits.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Reynolds family; Daejon Reynolds at LSU