Interview: Nevada 2017 Do Everything ATH Ethan Dedeaux Proves to be Athletic Jack of All Trades

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

When the 2015 Nevada high school season had completed, there was little debate over which Liberty High School player would receive team MVP honors on offense, in all due respect to all other Patriots. If the ball was in the air on defense, offense, or special teams, Ethan Dedeaux always seemed to be in the mix tracking it, making a play on it, or scoring the pigskin.

The Class of 2017 do-everything talent was perhaps most dynamic on offense, but honestly flip a coin or make a case for Dedeaux in all three phases of the game being a difference maker. On defense playing corner and safety, the 5’11”, 175 pound, speed burner had 18 tackles, defended seven passes, and picked off five passes returning two back for touchdowns. Putting the word special in the third phase of the game, Dedeaux had 464 kick return yards taking two all the way back the other way for scores.

Most teams have Dedeaux pegged for the outside or in the slot on offense after he came up with 37 receptions covering 809 yards with 11 touchdowns. Adding to that do-everything motto he has going on, he added 237 yards on the ground off 25 carries with another four scores. In all, Dedeaux had 17 touchdowns, 1,046 yards on offense, and 1,510 all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving, and kick return yards).

The Patriots rolled to the Nevada State Championship Game posting a record of 11-2 until hitting the buzz saw that is Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas). Liberty High School truly ruled the Silver State with their only other loss coming in Week 1 on the road against St. Louis High School (Honolulu, HI) played at Aloha Stadium. Along the great run to a runner-up season finish, Dedeaux continued to add the awards and accolades earning team Offensive MVP, second team All-State at wide receiver and cornerback, first team All-League, and USA Today first team All-Nevada wide receiver.

As is the case for most soon to-be seniors, Dedeaux is looking at a pivotal one-day college camp circuit to help boost his current recruiting from a lot of interests to a lot of offers. The Henderson area native has an offer from Northern Arizona but is receiving interest from Arizona State, UNLV, San Diego State, and BYU.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Dedeaux to go over his junior season, his offseason workouts, and received a recruiting update.

Interview

Ethan, Liberty started the year out against a tough team in St. Louis High School on the road in Hawaii. Do you guys have tough games on the schedule from out of state teams again in 2016?

“I think we play a Texas team and Centennial High School in Corona (California) this year.”

When you take the field against any team, which position do you like playing best?

“I like playing defense. That’s my favorite.”

What position are most teams recruiting you to play?

“Receiver or slot receiver.”

You put up great numbers at receiver during your junior year. What were some of the things you got better at doing as the season progressed?

“I got better with route running. My hands have always been there. I got better at coming out of my breaks and getting better explosion off my cuts. My top end speed got better too.”

You mentioned your top end speed. Your game film looks like you pull away from everyone. What is the best 40-yard dash time that you’ve posted?

“A 4.49.”

With that kind of speed and your athleticism, knowing you like playing corner, some teams might start recruiting you to play that position at the next level. What are some of the things you got better at playing in the secondary last year?

“Breaking in and out of my back pedal, my change of direction, and the movement of my hips. I was a lot better at turning 360 degrees out of my breaks and I got a better 45 degree angle out of breaks. I got a lot better from my sophomore year to my junior year on defense.”

Returning kicks is not always easy. When the ball is in the air, what is your mindset about returning?

“My mindset is just to catch the ball, hit the hole, go full speed because if you don’t you could get hurt, and wish for the best.”

I love that answer, wish for the best. What are you doing in the offseason already to prepare for your senior year?

“I go to a training facility called Phase One on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I work out at school with the team and I have plans to do a bunch of camps.”

What personal offseason goals do you have for yourself?

“One goal is to increase my weight to 185. Another goal is to get down to a 4.43 (in the 40-yard dash). I want to rep 185 pounds 20 times instead of 12. I’d like to get my vertical up to 40 to 42 inches.”

What is your vertical jump now?

“Thirty-eight inches.”

Do you have any offers right now?

“I have an offer from Northern Arizona.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you right now?

“Colorado State, BYU, UNLV, Colorado, UNR (Univ. Nevada), and USC are all showing interest in me right now.”

Did you take any unofficial visits in 2015?

“Yes. I went to UNLV twice, San Diego State, NAU (Northern Arizona), and BYU.”

With all the trips that you took, did anything catch your eye about the different programs?

“I’d say the facilities at the different schools. NAU was nice and they have the dome. The weather is a big thing for me, I’m not a cold weather guy.”

Which college camps are you planning on attending this offseason?

“I’m going to UNLV, SDSU, BYU, Colorado State’s Junior Day, and taking a trip to USC for their Junior Day.”

When the different coaches talk to you about your game, what are they telling you they like about it?

“They like my speed, speed mostly is what they talk about. All the schools recruiting me at wide receiver like my speed. If a school is recruiting me as a DB, they like how I hit and that I’m physical.”

Which schools are recruiting you for the secondary?

“USC and UNR.”

And at wide receiver?

“Colorado, Colorado State, BYU, and SDSU.”

Are you going to any exposure camps?

“I’m going to the Opening in Los Angeles on Feb. 28.”

Are you playing any spring sports for Liberty?

“Track and field.”

Which events are you participating in with track?

“The 4×1, long jump, and triple jump.”

Which even is your best?

“The long jump.”

What is your best distance in the long jump?

“Twenty.”

Was that during state?

“We went to the regionals last year and lost in the 4×1 and I lost in the regional semifinals in the long jump.”

What is your goal distance this year?

“Between 21 and 25 feet. Somewhere around there.”

Will that win state for you this year?

“Yes, I think it will.”

Last question, what is your favorite thing about playing football?

“I have a passion for the game. My dad (John Dedeaux) played at Arizona in college and he played at Bishop Alemany (California) in high school. I’ve always had that passion for the game and I’ve gotten better each year.”

Ethan, thanks for your time today and good luck at all of the camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: silverstatepreps.com; No. 2 Ethan Dedeaux comes down with the interception.

Photo credit: reviewjournal.com; No. 2 Ethan Dedeaux in action.