Interview: Rising 3-Star 2022 California CB/DB Croix Stewart has that Rare Elite Speed
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Hanging around the football fields, a lot of players talk about how fast they are but few can truly burn. When it comes to Class of 2022 defensive back Croix Stewart, when he says he’s fast it is not an embellishment. The 6-2, 185-pounder, played safety during his sophomore season lining up with American Canyon High School lighting up California teams while showing his growing cover skills. His 10.8 speed in the 100 (2018) and 4.4 speed clocked at a recent Opening regional will be seen at corner with Benicia High School during the 2020 season.
Stewart will take the field with his new team holding an offer from Fresno State while programs across the Pac-12 and Mountain West tack his progress. To talk about his new roles with the Panthers and his recruiting process, Stewart sat down for an RNG exclusive interview.
Interview
Croix, how have your offseason workouts been going overall?
Good. I am a lot stronger. I have been working on my reflexes and not thinking so much. This offseason I have been learning the cornerback position well.
When you ended the 2019 season, what did you feel were the strengths to your game as a defensive back?
I was always able to use my speed to close. If I was beat off the line, I was able to use my speed to recover. Now I am learning the technique of the position; I always have my speed as a backup. I want to use my technique so I don’t have to use my speed.
What defensive scheme were you guys running last season?
We were a four-man front with two back safeties. One of the safeties would go down for outside containment; the safety on the strongside goes down. Two deep cover safeties, a lot of Cover 3.
You diagnose plays so quickly, where does that talent come from?
It is more from watching game film and putting myself in a good position. I like playing far back. I would play further back to see more of the field seeing more with depth. On the snap, I would not always know who has the ball, but I’d know the direction of the play.
Your quickness shows on game tape, how fast are you?
My most recent 40 was a 4.4. During track season my freshman year, I ran a 10.8 in the 100 and a 21.9 in the 200. I did not get to run track last year because of the virus.
A 10.8 in the 100 as a freshman – wow. That is really impressive.
Thank you, sir.
When the 2020 season gets going, where all will you line up on the field with your new squad?
I’ve talked to my coach about this, he really wants me to play both sides. Since we have a lot of offensive players from last year that are good returning, I think I will be more on defense at corner. When I play offense, I’ll be playing receiver.
What style of defense are you guys executing?
Coach told me 95 percent of the time I will be pressing.
What have you been working on with your technique this offseason to prepare?
I have mainly been working on my hips, that does not come naturally for me. I have natural fluidity in my hips, but I never reacted fast with my hips when I opened up. I never focused on it until this offseason. Playing 7v7 and working on that with my coach has helped me a lot.
For Benicia, what is the practice schedule?
We haven’t started any full team practices. I workout with my quarterback, we do routes together. I haven’t even met all the coaches in person yet, I have just talked to them on the phone.
Interesting. Staying with interest, let’s talk some recruiting. Which schools are tracking you as the 2020 season nears?
USC has showed interest, two of their coaches followed me on Twitter and I have talked to one of their coaches. Tennessee is the same; I’ve talked on the phone with one of their recruiters. Oregon has asked for my transcript and so has Northwestern. Today, UCLA’s recruiter followed me on Twitter. Cal has showed a lot of interest, they’ve been sending a lot of mail. After my showcase, they were texting me. Colorado has been sending mail as well.
Which program has offered you?
Fresno State.
Very cool. When visits begin again in 2021, are there any you’d like to go see?
Based on the ones showed interest, Fresno, I’d like to check that school out. I haven’t talked to their coaches about visiting yet. My brother went to Fresno; he really liked it. He has told me all about it. That is a school that I want to see it for myself. Cal is another one. I have been there for track meets but I have never been to their football facilities. I’d like to go to USC as well. I’ve never seen USC before which is crazy because I’ve been to LA so many times.
Some other ones I would like to see are LSU, they’ve been a dream school. Oregon as well. They’ve showed interest. I’d like to visit them and Oregon State. I have been to Oregon’s campus for track. Baylor is another one I’d like to visit. In interviews before, they’ve asked who I am interested in and I listed them based on sports and how successful they are with their coaching staff. Those are the main ones as of right now. I want to visit all the schools that have shown interest if I can.
Before we end the interview, I want to circle back to your success on the track. Which events are you running? You’ve mentioned the 100 and 200.
Yes, the 100, 200, 400, and the relays. My main focus is the 100 and 200 and I do the 4×1 and 4×4.
Impressive. Croix, thanks for your time today. Keep up the hard work this offseason.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Stack Sports/Stewart family; Croix Stewart