Interview: Overlooked California 2017 LB Sam Ness Readies for another Explosive Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Looking over the defensive stat sheet for Arroyo Grande High School, it does not take long for Sam Ness to jump off the page. The Eagles went 10-3 in 2014 with the sophomore jumping on the scene with a team-leading 116 tackles, five tackles for a loss, three fumble recoveries, and two pass deflections. In 2015, Ness once again led the team in tackles with 139, 106 solo, eight tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, two pass deflections, and one interception.

The Eagles had another great season in 2015 posting an 11-2 mark but because of Arroyo Grande being outside the major California market areas, Ness’ and companies’ accomplishments, by-and-large, went unnoticed. Some college coaches are finally coming around on the 6’1.5”, 220 pound middle linebacker who had a two-year stat line total of 255 tackles, 173 solo, 3.5 sacks, and 13 tackles for a loss in just 24 games played. Fresno State, Columbia and a couple of other Ivy League schools are in the mix but more are sure to follow after Ness completes the summer camp circuit along with another highly productive season on the California gridiron.

When other college coaches come around to check out Ness, they will find an assured and steady playmaking linebacker who has a knack for closing in on just about everything within a 10-yard distance no matter the angle who can run sideline to sideline. Should a team try to run right at Ness… the 173 total solo tackles over the last two seasons speaks for itself.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Ness to get his thoughts on the 2015 season, an overview on his offseason workouts and schedule, and got a recruiting news update.

Interview

Sam, you’ve put up some monster numbers over the past two seasons. What has been your progression on the field as a linebacker?

“My sophomore year I acclimated to the game. I wanted to make sure my presence was known every time I stepped on the field. I would take on linemen and try to destroy them by not going around them. My junior year I focused more on the individual part of the game as a linebacker. My coaches gave me stuff to work through each week. Some of that growth in the game was being patient, letting the play develop, and then going to the ball. I worked on my speed and quickness going sideline to sideline. I was also not afraid to make mistakes. Not being afraid to make mistakes made me more decisive.”

We talked about your progression on the field. What are some of the things you think you do well as a linebacker?

“I have really good instincts. I can read the linemen and know where the ball is going from the snap. I have a good football IQ, I’m a smart kid. I pick up on the little things the linemen and offense are doing throughout the game to key in on plays ahead of the snap. I’m strong and explosive, quick in space, and quick in the box. I’m effective that way.”

Did you earn any individual honors at the end of your junior season?

“For my junior year I was Defensive MVP of the League (Pac-5), All-CIF, All-County, All-Area, and Defensive MVP for the Area or the County. I forget which one.”

What is your bench press and squat max totals right now?

“My bench is 345 and my squat is 425.”

You mentioned being quick in the box, which is something that jumps off your reel. Do you have a shuttle time?

“My best 5-10-5 shuttle time is a 4.01.”

Are you going to expand your role on the team during your senior season?

“I believe I’ll be playing some fullback this year. I’ve been practicing there. Sawyer May (quarterback) has been helping me with that, learning the plays and getting the offense down. I have a strong belief in my athleticism that I’ll be able to play fullback well this year.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you right now?

“Fresno State has contacted me, we’ve been talking. Yale has pulled my transcripts and I’ve been invited to one of their camps. Claremont is showing interest. That would be an awesome education there. Columbia has also been in contact and that’s about it for right now.”

When you’ve talked to the different college coaches, what are they telling you they like about your play at linebacker?

“The Fresno State coach, Coach Joe Bernardi (tight ends coach), said I was aggressive and he liked how I played the game. He said I was really good.”

Can’t get much better than that. Do you have any unofficial visits lined up for the offseason?

“My grandpa lives in West Virginia. He wants me to come out so he can take me to all the Ivy League schools.”

Do you have an idea which camps you might attend coming up?

“Yeah, I’m going to Stanford’s Friday Night Lights, and I’m going back east to Yale, Columbia, and some of the Ivy League camps as mentioned. The San Clemente Coach has a camp I’m planning on attending as well.”

Are you going to any exposure camps?

“I might. It depends on how everything plays out with school and everything else.”

Are there any players at the next levels that you model your game after on the field?

“Not exactly but I love watching NFL linebackers. I like watching Navarro Bowman (San Francisco 49ers) and Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers). On the collegiate level, I like watching Nela Otukolo (Fresno State).”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“Really well. I have a 4.5 GPA.”

Have you taken the SAT or ACT yet?

“No, not yet.”

Do you know what you want to major in when you go to college?

“Not yet. I’m thinking business or econ (economics), something along those lines.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I love being able to go out there and being passionate and aggressive. I have a great time doing it. The bonds with the guys on the team. I’ve known Sawyer all my life. Each game we play, that makes our bond that much closer. I love the family bond within the game.”

Sam, thanks for your time today and good luck with all of your upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Raphotos.com; No. 45 Sam Ness pre-snap.

Photo credit: Raphotos.com; No. 45 Sam Ness drags down the ball carrier.

Photo credit: Raphotos.com; No. 45 Sam Ness finishes off the play.