Interview: Impressive 4-Star 2022 Oklahoma OT Jacob Sexton Preparing for Another Big Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
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Whichever college football program is lucky enough to land Class of 2022 offensive lineman Jacob Sexton, they are getting a ready-made recruit. At 6-6, 295-pounds, Sexton already has the look of a collegiate lineman and shows off his dominating skills game after game with Deer Creek High School. Running a strong and weakside scheme in the trenches, Sexton is getting time in on both sides of the center at tackle and guard putting him a couple of steps ahead of his peer group when it comes to adapting to the footwork need at the next level. The talent and potential have brought 20 offers to the doorstep for the Edmond (OK) product thus far.
With another dominating season ahead, I sat down with the four-star recruit to learn more about his game with an update on his impressive recruiting options.
Interview
Jacob, some linemen believe they are versatile but you, you walk the walk. I have you lining up at all five spots on the line last season, including center.
I did everything put center.
I would have sworn that I saw you snap in a shotgun on your game footage. My apologies. How did that work out for you playing all four positions during the 2019 season?
Originally, I was going to be a tackle, but one of our guys got hurt and another guy was not in good shape. We run a strong and quick side, instead of left and right we switch.
How will lining up at all those positions help you going forward?
It was good for me for later on down the road. It will help me in college. I will be able to go back to this time, think about what I did and use that to my advantage.
Did you guys track pancakes and/or knockdowns last season?
I was not super focused on the numbers last season, but more did I do it right. I was making sure that it was not just knocking someone over.
This is me putting you on the spot, but if you had to guess about how many per game were you tallying?
Probably, we would run about 90 offensive plays on offense in each game, 15 to 17 at the lowest and at the highest 45 to 50 a game.
What? You were getting 50 a game?
Yeah. Almost. There were some tiny guys out there in some games. Those were fun games for me.
What style of offense do you guys execute?
Last year we were a Spread. But we have a new offensive coordinator this year, I am not sure what we will do.
The footwork for each position is different, how did you prepare during the week for the possibility of lining up in each and every spot along the line?
In practice, I was usually at tackle, but I would pay attention to what my coach was saying to the guards.
Once your sophomore season ended, what did you feel were the overall strengths to your game?
My run blocking was really good. For this year, what I worked on this summer the most was my pass blocking skills.
Keeping with that, but going deeper. Over the spring and summer months, which areas of your game have you worked on in preparation for your junior campaign?
This summer, we did a lot of pass-pro and footwork drills, and some run blocking drills.
What have you been doing to add more strength and power to your blocks?
Squats, bench, cleans, dead-lifts – every type of movement possible.
Did you get to max out in any of your lifts this offseason?
Yes, I finished up at 505 on squat before we left this summer and I got 360 on bench. I think that is what it was. Those were the only two we maxed on to not risk injury.
Going back to what you mentioned a minute ago. You said you guys did a lot of footwork drills, what drills were you doing?
We worked with ladders, put up bags and worked around the bags. After that, we were working on our kick-step and stuff like that.
Alright, let’s talk recruiting. As of what you know right now, which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
None. All the schools have offered that I have shown interest. With a new school I have not talked to, they usually offer within a week of our first conversation. On Sept. 1, all could change tomorrow when the NCAA allows colleges to contact 2020 recruits.
How many offers have been dropped?
Twenty.
Which program was the last to offer?
My most recent was Michigan State.
Sexton’s Offer Sheet: Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Kansas, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Stanford, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, and Virginia Tech
Have you taken any virtual visits this spring or summer?
Yes, I did a few of those and had some visits over Zoom. Those were always cool.
Which schools did you virtually visit?
Stanford, Northwestern, and Nebraska.
If allowed this weekend or next month, whenever, are there any visits you’d like to take?
I think what we would do is see as many new places as possible. The main places to visit would be places that have offered that I have not seen before.
Makes sense. Let’s look to the 2020 season now. How has fall camp with the Antlers gone?
It has been good. We finished up camp, getting into the season now. Our first game was supposed to be last Friday, but a kid on the other team (Edmond North) tested positive for the virus. They have moved that back three weeks. We did a scrimmage in place of the game.
How is the team looking?
We are looking really good. We have one senior on the offensive line, the rest are juniors. To have this group of linemen together, it is exciting for the next two seasons. I am excited about the team we have this season.
The season officially kicks off for you guys now on Thursday, Sept. 3, against Southmoore. What kind of game are you expecting from the Sabercats?
We don’t know. Our coach is saying they have new coaches. He has not said a whole lot about them yet. We should learn more today in practice.
Last question. What goals have you set for the 2020 season?
To be technically sound and have fun.
I like it. Jacob, it was great going over all that you’ve been doing to prepare for the season today. Thanks for your time and good luck with the season until we talk again.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Sexton family; Jacob Sexton