Interview: Mater Dei 2017 WR Osiris St. Brown has his Pick of Top Power Five Programs

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

No matter how one wants to apply the notion, options in life are good and Osiris St. Brown has plenty of them – well at least 19 to be exact, maybe more. The 6’1”, 180 pound, Mater Dei High School star is one of the more highly sought after wide receivers in the 2017 recruiting class after coming up with 43 receptions for 884 yards with 12. For those of you not the best at doing quick math, that is an average of 20.5 yards per catch.

The Anaheim (CA) area talent is on a first name basis with a lot of collegiate coaches from across the country with the list including Stanford, Notre Dame, Arizona State, Utah, Washington, Boise State, USC, Miami, Northwestern, Cal, Michigan State, Washington State, Vanderbilt, Colorado, UCLA, Kentucky, Michigan, Texas Tech, and Illinois.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Osiris after his performance at the Nike Opening Regional in Los Angeles getting caught up on his junior season, his offseason schedule, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Osiris, on paper Mater Dei looks absolutely stacked going into next year.

“We are.”

I want to make sure I don’t have bad information. Was JT Daniels a freshman last season?

(Laughs) “Yes.”

Wow. Okay, so he threw for just over 3,000 yards with 33 touchdowns and just four picks. You caught 43 of those passes covering 884 of those yards with 12 of those touchdowns. What are the two of you working on in the offseason to strengthen that tight on the field connection?

“We’ve been practicing. We’ve been practicing for a couple weeks now and we are on the same 7×7 team (B2G Five-Star). We see each other a lot. If we are at the same camp, I’ll go with him to work on our timing.”

What are you working on personally this offseason?

“Gaining weight. I’ve gained 13 pounds and trying to put on a little more weight. Footwork wise, I’ve been doing cone drills and getting work in with B2G on the weekends. I’m trying to perfect my route running. I’m trying to get better with that each year to be the best that I can be.”

What are your strengths on the field as a wide receiver?

“I think I’m best at getting off press coverage, I can stretch the field, and I get the 50-50 ball between me and a DB. I’ll win most of those. I’m good at run blocking and blocking on screens for the slot.”

What honors did you earn at the end of last season?

“I was first team All-County, second team All-Trinity, and I was a MaxPreps second team All-Junior selection.”

Will your role change at all next year? Will you play another position in addition to wide receiver or play some on the defensive side?

“Right now I won’t play defense, we have a bunch over talent over there. On offense, the coaches are moving me around the field and at slot. I might do some kickoff returns this year.”

What was your best game in 2015, against who, and why was that your best game?

“I’d say my best game was against Orange Lutheran. I had some great catches, my overall blocking was good – no calls for holding, and I did not drop any balls. I think I had 200 yards receiving and two touchdowns on maybe 16 catches. I can’t remember.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I have not counted. I think I’m at 20 or 21.”

Of the teams that have offered, which ones are pushing hardest for you right now?

“Right now I’d say Cal, Washington, USC, Notre Dame, and Stanford.”

Which teams are showing a lot of interest but have not offered yet?

“Oregon. I’ve been taking to their offensive coordinator (Matt Lubick) a lot but they have not offered yet. Who else. I don’t think I’ve talked to anyone else who has not offered yet.”

Have you come up with a list of top schools yet?

“No, not yet.”

Did you take any unofficial visits in 2015?

“During the summer I went to a couple of schools with our 7×7 team. We went to Florida, Miami, Chicago, Notre Dame, and Northwestern. Out west I went to Stanford, USC a bunch of times, and UCLA a lot. That’s about it.”

That’s about it? That’s a lot. What schools are you going to unofficially visit coming up?

“Right now I’m going to Stanford’s Junior Day on April 1. I did not run at the Nike Opening in Los Angeles. I’m going to the Oakland one coming up and when I do I’m visiting Cal up there. I want to visit Washington too. If Oregon offers soon I’ll probably go up there this spring.”

You went to USC’s Junior Day on Feb. 27. How did that go?

“That went really well. I got to talk to Coach Tee Martin a lot. It was fun being there.”

What is your time frame on making a decision?

“I want to do it after my senior season, either right after or wait until National Signing Day. I want to take all of my officials first.”

What are the main factors you will consider in choosing a college?

“Education and being able to play as a freshman. I don’t want to redshirt. I want to play as a freshman and receive a good education.”

I always like to find out how everyone is doing in the classroom. Do you have a GPA you don’t mind sharing?

“I have a 4.0.”

Nice. Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“No. I’m taking the ACT in June. I took the subject portion for the ACT in German and French.”

You speak and read both languages?

“Yes. I speak and read both fluently. My mom speaks German and I went to a French elementary school.”

Very nice. Are you playing any spring sports for Mater Dei?

“I’m thinking about track but I want to gain weight for football.”

Osiris, thanks for your time today. Good luck with your upcoming visits and at the Nike Opening regional in Oakland.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: St. Brown family; Osiris at USC Junior Day.

Photo credit: todaysu.com; No. 9 Osiris St Brown lines up for Mater Dei.