Interview: Speedy 3-Star 2023 California CB Rodrick Pleasant Blowing Up on Recruiting Trail
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The game film doesn’t lie, and the 14 offers being dropped in a hurry help support Rodrick Pleasant as a top Division-I college football recruit. The 5-11, 180-pound, corner blanketed Mission League teams during the 2020 season for Serra High School coming up with 22 stops, 17 solo, a tackle for a loss, a fumble recovery, two forced fumbles, knocked away five passes, and produced a sweet pick-six. The fluid nature of his hips and ability to cover high-profile receivers is aided by his, approaching, world class speed. With a 10.57 in the 100 and a 21.36 in the 200, separating from Pleasant is not an easy task.
In an RNG first-look conversation, Pleasant takes us inside his game on the field with a look at his recruiting process.
Interview
Roderick, I hope it never gets old having people ask you about your pick-six, because here comes another one. You were a man on a mission taking that into the end zone. When you got to see the replay, how sweet was that experience for you?
It was nice. I didn’t think I got it in, but I saw different angles from different sites. When I picked the ball off, I was just thinking let me go score, let me go score. Our offense was struggling a little. I wanted to put points on the board. That pick-six makes me smile every time I watch it.
Another big play from the 2020 season where you got to showcase your blazing speed was hauling down a running back and popping the ball out to more than likely save a touchdown. Seeing that play, I have to ask, what is the best-timed run you’ve posted?
In track, a 10.57 in the 100 and a 21.36 in the 200. I haven’t run the 40 yet. I am running that at the Opening Finals.
Those times are crazy fast. Where does that place you in the state?
I think, fifth in both.
That’s awesome. Congratulations.
Thank you.
Back to football, beyond your speed and knack for making big plays, what do you feel are some of the other strengths to you game on defense?
I feel like I am a good tackler, and very physical. That’s what I pride myself on, a corner that can tackle. You have to tackle in the open-field. That’s what I pride myself on.
What are you working on with the fundamentals at corner this summer?
I am working on playing press and off-man. That’s what I am trying to perfect. I am doing more film study; I like to study film. That’s a big thing with me.
You hauled in a pass last season, will we see more of you on offense this fall?
Yes, I am very excited about that. I will be playing a lot of offense this year and returning punts too. I am excited to play both ways this year.
To keep that speed up and push your overall athleticism forward, what are some of the drills and exercises you do?
I do a lot of plyometrics, work with bands, and I am working with our track coach. He is a very good track coach. I work with our long jump coach; he trains a lot of professional athletes and NFL players. They keep me on the right track.
Have you been to any camps this offseason with track season still going on for you?
Yes, we are still running right now with meets on the 25th and 26th. We are still running, so it is hard to leave and go to a camp.
Do you have any camps on your schedule for after track season, or is that kind of a wait and see thing?
It is a wait and see thing. I have no plans right now for a camp. I wanted to go to a Redlands camp, but I could not make it.
Let’s get into recruiting. How many offers are you holding?
I just got No. 14. These past two weeks have been crazy. It is a blessing, truly a blessing. It felt like I blew up out of nowhere.
Which programs were the last couple to offer you?
The last couple were Boston College, Arizona State, Arizona, and Tennessee. Tennessee was the last to offer offering three days ago.
Pleasant’s Offer Sheet: Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, Boston College, BYU, California, Colorado, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, TCU, Tennessee, USC, and Utah
Which programs that you know of are showing interest but have not offered yet?
They can’t really contact me, but I have a lot of Twitter follows from college coaches. On Sept. 1, that is when everything starts.
Are there any visits you may take this summer?
I want to take a visit to SC, ASU, Arizona – all the schools that have offered on the West Coast that I can get to.
Roderick, it was a blast covering ground with you today. Wishing you great success with the remainder of your track season.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Photo credit: Pleasant family; Rodrick Pleasant