Interview: Recruiting World get Ready to Learn the Name of 4-Star ATH Deommodore Lenior

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

If you have not heard the name Deommodore Lenior yet, just wait, you are about to hear it a lot. The Los Angeles area two-way star is on just about every Power Five Conference team’s recruiting board whether they have a shot at him or not as a “must get” recruit able to fill needs all over the field.

The frenzy for Lenior really picked up during his sophomore season when he carved out 763 yards on the ground off 71 carries with seven scores and pulled in eight passes for 120 yards with two more touchdowns. On defense he had 66 tackles, 55 solo, with one forced fumble, one tackle for a loss, and seven passes defended.

Showing that he was not a one-season wonder, the Class of 2017 talent did a whole lot of everything again during his junior crusade hauling in 18 passes for 354 yards with four scores, carried the rock 56 times for a team-high 563 yards with five more touchdowns and still tore it up on defense with 48 tackles, 39 solo, five tackles for a loss, one forced fumble, and three passes defended. The extra juice in his game driving college coaches wild, he had 572 kick return yards off just nine attempts with a long of 92 yards.

Needless to say, college coaches and recruiting services love Lenior. The 6’0”, 188 pound, athlete is already ranked as a 4-star recruit and has 20 offers on the table and counting. The teams currently courting Lenior with offers includes Arizona State, Michigan, Miami, LSU, Cal, Boise State, Oklahoma, Boston College, Northwestern, Mississippi State, UCLA, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Washington State, and Nebraska. If that was not impressive enough, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Oregon, Arizona, and USC are all showing heavy interest in the Salesian High School star.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Lenior for a quick interview to go over his junior season, offseason workouts, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Deommodore, you are all over the field for the Mustangs. Which position do you like best?

“My favorite is cornerback.”

Is that what most teams are recruiting you to play?

“Yes.”

Salesian had a tough season last year going 5-5. Is starting quarterback Robbie Blosser coming back?

“Yes sir, he’s coming back.”

Has the team started setting goals for next year yet?

“Yeah, our main goal is to win CIF, go to state, and be undefeated.”

What are you doing with your offseason workouts to try to ensure those goals are met on your end?

“I’m working out with track right now trying to get faster. The next level guys are much faster than I am, I have to keep working. I’m also working on my off coverage, trying to get better at that.”

What makes you a tough cornerback to play against at the high school level?

“My physicality and my ability to make tackles.”

Being successful at returning kicks is not an easy thing to do. What is your mindset once you have the kickoff in your hands?

“The one thing that is always in my head – score. During a kickoff, if I get that one block and I can make it to the sidelines – it’s over. I’m going to score a touchdown.

What is the best 40-yard dash time you’ve posted so far?

“I ran a 4.49 at the Nike Opening.”

Do you have a 40-yard dash time you want to hit this offseason?

“I want to get it down to a 4.4 flat.”

Switching to recruiting, how many offers do you have right now?

“I have 20 offers.”

Of the schools that have offered you, which programs are pushing the hardest right now trying to get your verbal commitment?

“Since National Signing Day, a lot of schools have been coming hard. I’d have to say Nebraska, Louisville, and Michigan. Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Miami, and Cal are all in regular contact.”

Which schools are pushing the hardest but have not offered you yet?

“Oregon, Notre Dame, and TCU. I talked to Oregon today.”

Have you started thinking about when you want to announce your verbal commitment?

“I was discussing this with my coaches and with my family the other day. I’m either going to do it at the U.S. Army All-American Game or at the Under Armour All-American Game, but it could be sooner.”

What unofficial visits have you taken so far?

“I have visited the whole Pac-12. This year on my college tour, I’m going through the entire Pac-12 again along with Oklahoma and Texas.”

When you took all of those visits previously, was there anything that stood out to you with the different programs, coaching staffs, or campuses?

“Yeah, Washington and Oregon stood out to me. Oregon’s facilities and their coaches stood out. Washington stood out with their players and the brotherhood they have. They have some guys on the team from the same area I grew up. I liked Washington’s facilities too.”

What are the main factors that are most important to you when thinking about the different colleges?

“I want a place that is comfortable for me and my family so they can travel to a games. A place that is not too far away. I also want a place where I can get a good degree, a good education. I want a place where I can get better as a player and go to the next level, the NFL.”

With all of your offers, I doubt you are going to any college camps this summer. Which exposure camps are you going to hit up?

“I’ll be attending the Rivals camp and the NFCC camp.”

Are there any college or NFL players that you model your game after or you think you have a similar game as theirs?

“Yeah, in college, Braxton Miller (Ohio State Buckeyes) and Adoree’ Jackson (USC Trojans).”

I can definitely see the Adoree’ Jackson comparison. You mentioned track earlier, are you participating in any other spring sports for Salesian?

“No, just track.”

Which events?

“The 400, 4×1, 200, and 100, and the long jump.”

Oh man. That’s a lot of endurance and strength running. Which event would you say is your best?

“I’d say the 200.”

What is your best time in the 200?

“My best time is 20.29.”

What about in the 100?

“A 10.9.”

That’s great. I always like to find out about the classroom. Do you have a GPA you don’t mind sharing?

“I have a 3.41 GPA.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I take the ACT in March.”

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

“Sociology.”

Deommodore, you have a lot going on now and coming up. Thanks for your time today and good luck with your visits and at the exposure camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: scout.com; Lenior at a B2G 7×7 tournament.

Photo credit: Lenior family; Deommodore Lenior at Cal.