Interview: Iowa 2018 OT Trevor Downing Steamrolling Way to Power 5 College Career

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Very few players in any sport truly get to feel the joy of dominating their opponent play after play. Watching rising Class of 2018 offensive tackle Trevor Downing get after it on the field, one would assume the only thing he experiences is joy on the gridiron.

Even though he just wrapped up his junior season of high school ball, Downing is already a three year Iowa varsity level veteran. The 6-5, 290 pound, standout earned his stripes as a freshman starting at defensive tackle. Now Downing is mowing over tackles, ends, linebackers, and the like as an offensive tackle for Creston High School.

Over the past two seasons, Downing has helped anchor the Panthers line proving more than trustworthy for tough yards or a goal line score as needed. The Panthers went 8-2 in 2016 giving ample opportunity for college coaches to swing by the stadium on any given Friday for a look. So far three Power Five Conference teams have offered: Iowa, Iowa State, and Minnesota.

Taking a deeper look into Downing’s high school career thus far, we sat down for an in-depth one-on-one interview covering his action on the field and his recruitment to date.

Interview

Trevor, when did you start playing varsity football?

“My freshman year I started playing varsity. I was a defensive tackle.”

Did you start at defensive tackle?

“Yeah. I started eight or nine games. I was under a kid that got hurt at a camp.”

Which positions have you played so far?

“Defensive tackle and right tackle, but right tackle is my main position. I am getting recruited there. I’ll play defensive tackle when we need it. Sometimes I play at tight end in our tank formation. I don’t catch the ball. I’m used for blocking.”

The Panthers had a great start to the 2016 season winning your first eight games of the season. What pushed the team forward during that winning streak?

“We knew we were good, and we played well together. We were very unselfish as a team. We ran for about 200 yards a game. We did not have a big passing game but we ran the ball well.”

Losing the final two games of the season (Carroll and Boone), how will that impact you and the rest of the team going into next season?

“Motivation for sure. We play Boone next year. We play them in the first game of next season. We have that marked on our schedule for redemption.”

Which game was your best this year and why?

“Probably the Boone game, the first time we played them (won 28-7). I was ready to play football again. We ran for the most yards in a game all season against Boone in that game.”

How did your game get better throughout the season?

“I’d say my pass blocking got a lot better. My run blocking is good. We run about 80 percent of the time. My pass protection got better this year.”

What is your mentality on every snap of the ball?

“Bury the guy in front of me. I give it my all for four quarters. Play for one another is our team mentality.”

What will you work on in the off-season?

“Getting faster and stronger. That is the main thing.”

Will we see you playing a different position in 2017 or take on multiple roles?

“Probably, we have a bunch of spots to fill. I could see myself playing center or guard. We lost our best center. I will probably play more than just right tackle next year.”

Have you maxed out in the weight room lately and if so what are your numbers?

“My squat was 490, bench was 295, and my hand-clean was 270.”

Nice. How many offers do you have right now?

“Three (Iowa, Iowa State, and Minnesota).”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you but have not offered you yet?

“Penn State was at the beginning of the season. Oklahoma is showing some. One of my coaches used to play down there. I’ve had some game invites from them. Those are the two main ones.”

Did you take any unofficial visits this season?

“I went to Iowa State for three games and Iowa once. I’ve been to Iowa twice in total. I went in July for a tailgate event they held. Minnesota has just started talking to me after their season. I never got a chance to get up there but I’d like to.”

From the visits you have taken, what have you learned about the college life or college football that you did not know before?

“I guess the dedication and hard work all the players put in. That stood out to me the most.”

Do you have any planned visits for this winter or spring?

“I have not planned any yet.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“I have a 2.9.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“No. I start taking them in the spring.”

Are you playing any winter or spring sports?

“I play basketball. I wrestled all the other years. I decided to change it up this year. After the basketball season I will focus on football, camps, and all of that. I’ll sit down with my coach (Brian McKin) and talk about everything with him.”

How is basketball going?

“My job is rebounding. That is fun. I like it.”

Are you doing anything with track in the spring?

“I’ll do shot and discus. Maybe I’ll run the 100 if they need me to.”

(Laughing) I’d like to see that.

(Laughing) “Me too.”

Trevor, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your basketball season.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 74 Trevor Downing with teammates.

Photo credit: 247sports.com; Trevor Downing at Iowa State.

Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 74 Trevor Downing blows up a defender.