Interview: Power Five Schools Catching on to Ivy League Recruiting Secret DE Mike Callahan
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
On the football field, the recruiting trail, and with academics, occasionally it might be wise for other college programs to see what the Ivy League schools have up their proverbial sleeves. One secret widespread among the Ivies but slow to catch on among the Power Five Conferences is Class of 2019 defensive end Mike Callahan, but all of that seems to be changing, and quickly.
After back-to-back standout seasons with Yorba Linda High School, and with seven scholarship offers on the table, there is no doubt Callahan is a next level talent. During his sophomore season, he produced a stat line of 49 tackles, 18 solo, 5.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 15 games helping the Mustangs to a 12-3 season. Showing improvement in his game, Callahan pushed his game forward coming up with another 49-tackle season but added 14.5 tackles for a loss, six sacks, four quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 12 games. Adding to his athletic resume, Callahan also played left tackle for the Mustangs in 2017.
Back on the recruiting trail, the 6-4, 250-pound, talent can play defensive end in college, but could also grow into a defensive tackle depending on how his body fills out. Good news is, he has experience playing both. The skillset coupled with upside has already given Callahan seven important things to think about from Brown, Pennsylvania, Harvard, Cornell, Dartmouth, Princeton, and Yale.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Callahan after he showed out at the Nike Opening Regional in Los Angeles to learn more about his game and growing recruiting interest among Power Five teams.
Interview
Michael, how did your junior season go on the field?
“I felt like it went as great as it could have gone. I played well at defensive end and played left tackle. I played in all our games this season and dominated in all the games. I was one of our team captains as a junior and one of the leaders on the team that helped lead us to great season.”
What were some of the things that you learned garnering more game experience that helped make you a better defender in 2017?
“I learned to be aggressive and patient at the same time. I was able to recognize run or pass plays faster. I also learned to not overthink and just play how I know I can play. When I trusted my abilities without overthinking everything, I had my best games.”
When the season ended, what did you consider to be the strengths of your game?
“The strengths of my game are my aggressiveness, my hands, and my get off.”
Do you have a favorite move on passing downs?
“I love going from first stab in the chest to a rip. That usually works every time for me.”
What post-season honors did you earn in 2017?
“I earned first team All-League, first team All-CIF, and third team All-County at defensive end.”
What are you working on this offseason to ensure another dominating season in the trenches during your senior year?
“I am training three times a week with Prime Time Polynesian (PTP) and I am going hard in weight room at my high school. I am also doing speed training, I’m not taking any days off.”
Are you working on any new moves?
(Laughs) “Yeah. I am working on my hips. I want to utilize flipping my hips more. I am trying to become more agile with my moves to the quarterback.”
Have you maxed out in the weight room this offseason?
“Yes. We maxed two weeks ago. My bench and clean max was 275 and my back squat was 418.”
I saw you perform at the Nike Opening, have you participated at any camps or combines this spring?
“I have competed at the Rivals camp, the Nike Opening, and I workout at the PTP camps on Saturdays.”
How did the Nike camp go for you?
“It went great. I felt like I dominated. I got into the Top 10 but just missed the Top 5. There was a lot of great coaching there.”
Do you have any camps upcoming on the schedule?
“Nothing soon. I am going to local camps at UCLA and USC this summer but I am not sure on any others. Cal is a consideration. I would like to go out to the Ivies for some of their camps this summer.”
You’re a recruiting magnet with college football coaches, especially among the Ivy League teams. How many offers do you have now?
“I have seven offers.”
Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
“Oregon State, UNLV, Air Force, UC-Davis, Northwestern, and I am receiving some interest from Cal.”
Have you taken any unofficial visits?
“I have been to Cal, Washington State, and Northwestern so far.”
Do you have any planned visits upcoming?
“Yes. In two weeks, I am going east to visit some of the Ivy League schools. I plan on visiting Penn, Princeton, Yale, Harvard, and Brown.”
Last recruiting question. When your time comes to make a decision on the college football program and university that is best suited for you, what will be some of the determining factors that go into that decision?
“Definitely academics. That is at the top of my list. I want to go somewhere I know I can play, a place where I can compete every day for playing time. The connection with coaches is important. I want somewhere that is the right spot for me.”
What is your cumulative GPA?
“I have a 4.17 GPA.”
Nice. Have you taken the ACT and/or the SAT yet?
“I got a 1220 on the SAT. I scored a 600 on reading, 620 on math, and a 16 out of 24 on the essay.”
Fantastic. Congratulations.
“Thank you.”
Let’s end on some tough questions. Have you been watching the NCAA Tournament?
(Laughs) “Yes. I have been. It is wild. I can’t believe the run Loyola-Chicago has had. UMBC (Maryland-Baltimore County) winning over Virginia was impressive.”
How are your brackets looking?
“My brackets are a mess.”
Of all the games played, which has been your favorite game so far?
“The Nevada verses Cincinnati game. Nevada showed great resiliency coming back in that game.”
Who did you have in your Final Four?
“Ah. It doesn’t matter for me with my brackets, they are all gone now.”
Mike, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming visits.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Tommy Valdez; Mike Callahan in action
Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com: No. 248 Mike Callahan at the LA Nike Regional