Interview: One Year was More Than Enough for Arkansas DE Eli Hale to Prove Division-I Worth

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Much about playing team sports at any level is taking advantage of an opportunity when that moment presents itself. For Fayetteville High School Class of 2016 defensive end Eli Hale, the moment in time came during his senior year after upperclassmen had moved on allowing him the opportunity to prove his worth to Division-I coaches.

Having the opportunity is one part of the equation and the other part is being prepared for the chance to succeed. Had the now 6’5”, 240 pound, talent rested on his laurels or given up on the notion about being a college football player, he would not have been ready for the challenge the 2015 season brought for him. By the time the 2015 season had ended, Hale walked off the gridiron an Arkansas High School Football State Champion helping the Bulldogs to a 13-2 record after a runner-up state championship finish in 2014. Hale compiled a great stat line on the way to a state title coming up with 61 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, a team-high eight sacks or 11 depending on who did the counting, 22 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, one pass breakup, and one blocked field goal.

Interest and offers came his way but some confusion on the recruiting trail may have limited even more offers from coming his way. Cal-Berkeley, Air Force, and Army have all offered but other offers may have come Hale’s way if some programs were not mislead or confused over the thought that Hale had committed to the Cal Golden Bears, which never happened. Schools that have shown varying levels of interest throughout his senior season and as National Signing Day draw near includes Arkansas, Arkansas State, Missouri, Texas, Tulsa, and Wake Forest.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Hale to go over his senior championship winning season with Fayetteville High School and got a recruiting news update just ahead of National Signing Day on Feb. 3.

Interview

Eli, I’m a little late to the party with you on this one, but congratulations on winning the championship this season.

“Thank you.”

The Bulldogs had an outstanding season in 2014 making it to the championship game and then winning it all during your senior season. How did your senior season go for you from an overall standpoint?

“It was by far the most exciting football season I have ever played. Winning the state championship made it an awesome experience.”

What was your progression on the field from your junior to senior year?

“My junior year I did not get that much playing time splitting the spot with two people. I played in about a third of each game. This year, I never came off the field. I’d say the big difference was more opportunities to make plays and to compete each game.”

What was the biggest difference from a play or impact point for you from 2014 to 2015?

“The biggest thing for me, I put on 25 pounds of muscle. Putting on the strength and mass made it a lot easier for me to make plays than during my junior year. I was able to use my strength to shed blocks, get to the quarterback, and make tackles.”

What are some of the things you do well on the field that helped you become a big playmaker for Fayetteville?

“I feel like I am coached really well by Jeb Huckeba (Arkansas Razorbacks/Seattle Seahawks). He trains us well. Coach Huckeba is big on training us to react correctly when the offensive tackle does this where to go and where to put your hands. I think it is a combination of great coaching and want to. I’m going 100 percent on every play.”

You had an outstanding season with the stats. Did you earn any individual honors at the end of your senior year?

“I was All-Conference.”

I know you have offers from Cal, Army, and Air Force, do you have any other offers?

“I have some D-II offers from Central Oklahoma and Missouri Western.”

Which schools are showing interest in you as NSD nears but have not offered you yet?

“Arkansas and Wake Forest.”

Have you taken an official visit to any of the schools showing interest or that have offered you yet?

“Not yet. I’m going to Arkansas (unofficial) on Saturday and taking an official to Air Force on the last weekend in January.”

Air Force huh? Don’t you have long hair?

“Yeah, but it is a tradeoff.”

What is it that you like about Air Force ahead of your visit?

“What I like about the Air Force academy, I like how well it will set me up for life. They offer a top notch education, one of the best schools in the country if not the world.”

Ahead of your visit to Arkansas, what are you looking to learn about the program during your visit?

“I just want to – I’ve met the coaches before but I want to meet the coaches again. Obviously, with Arkansas, it would be a dream to be there. I don’t know that much about the coaches or the team. I’m ready to see the facilities and get my own take on the program.”

When you’ve talked to the different coaches, what are they telling you they like about your game?

“A lot of people tell me they like my first step and how quickly I shoot my hands out.”

What is your bench press max?

“295.”

What is your squat max?

“405.”

What is the best 40-yard dash time you’ve turned in at a camp?

“I ran a 4.7 at an Arkansas camp.”

What is your time frame on making a decision?

“Honestly, I’m waiting to see if anything else is going to happen now. I’m trying to wait it out to see if anything else pops up.”

I like hearing about the classroom Do you have a GPA you don’t mind sharing?

“I have a 3.0.”

Do you have a score on your ACT that you don’t mind sharing?

“I got a 26 on the ACT.”

Do you know what you want to major in while in college?

“I’m not 100 percent sure, business or engineering.”

Eli, I appreciate your time today and want to wish you good luck on your visits.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: NWA Gazette; Eli Hale works against an offensive lineman in practice.

Photo credit: Delaney Osbourne; Eli gets around a tackle for the Bulldogs.

Photo credit: Delaney Osbourne; Eli gets a tackle against Bentonville.