Interview: Two-Year Starting Experience Paying Off for 2022 Texas FS Nycolis Prudhomme
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
That first taste of high school football varsity experience aligns differently for all players across the country. Some have a softer cushion on the field while others are instantly colliding against five-, four-, and three-star college recruits. The later was the case for Benjamin Davis free safety Nycolis Prudhomme, and he rose to the challenge.
The Houston area native took on 6A Texas teams as a sophomore earning a starting spot in the Falcons’ secondary coming up with an estimated stat line of 45 tackles with eight passes broken up. The 5-10, 165-pound, defender is once again on the Falcons’ last line of defense coming up with 14 stops and two pass breakups in the team’s two games played. The building experience and show of talents is drawing early recruiting interest from teams like Nevada and Southeastern Louisiana.
In an RNG first-look Prudhomme takes a break from preparations for Friday’s game against Aldine (0-2) for a one-on-one interview.
Interview
Nycolis, Texas 6A football is one of the best classifications for high school football in the nation. Week to week, how are you preparing to take on some of the country’s best players?
By watching a lot of film. I am studying their motions and how they are coming off the ball, the quarterback’s footwork, and the offensive line’s and tight end’s tendencies. Overall, I am looking for anything that will give me an advantage during the game. Another thing, I am always reading and rereading the scouting report.
After the experience gained during your sophomore season, which areas of your game as a free safety did you focus on over the spring and summer months?
Getting stronger and faster. Last season was my first season playing varsity, I learned that you cannot just run with everyone. I learned that I have to workout and get stronger to play in the box, make open field tackles, and to keep up with the quicker receivers in 6A football.
What were some of the drills and exercises you were doing to increase your speed and agility?
I worked with my personal trainer, he’s a former NFL player with Texans. We were pulling sleds, running up hills, and getting my mechanics down. My mechanics from running track were not great; he worked with me on getting my mechanics down. I did a lot of full body exercises and was getting my maxes up. Being a former basketball player, I had explosion but I was improving that burst from place to place to make tackles.
Two games into the 2020 season, where are you showing the biggest improvements in your overall abilities?
Being able to fit into the box and reading formations – that is my biggest improvement from last season. I am seeing formations better, knowing their routes, seeing splits from the sidelines, and stuff like that.
What front and coverages are the Falcons running this season?
We run a lot of Cover 4, Cover 3, and some man to man out of a 3-front.
What has been a challenge for you this season on the field, and how have you overcome that challenge to be a better player for it?
Our first game of the season was against Westfield, I think they were the No. 9 team in the state at that time, and highly ranked in the nation. That was our first game after six months of no football, that was a big test for me. Even though I had been working out, there was more that I needed to do to help my teammates the best that I could.
That would be very difficult to essentially pick up playing out of nowhere even though you’ve been lifting and conditioning.
Yes, sir.
Once the 2020 season wraps, what goals will you have accomplished?
My biggest goal is to lead our district in interceptions, lead my team in tackles, and make first team All-District.
With the teams left on the schedule, what other tough games and/or rivalry showdowns are coming up?
We have a big one next week against Spring High School, they are the No. 1 team in our district. Our last game of the season against Dekaney will be a good one. They are in the same district as us. There are a lot of kids I know and used to live around on the teams coming up.
You’ve mentioned track and basketball, besides football, what all sports are you playing for Davis High School?
I have played basketball and ran track. I am trying to play baseball this year.
Which track events are you competing in with Davis?
The 200, 400, 4×4, 100, long and high jump.
Which is your best event?
The long jump and the 400.
What is your best time in the 400?
I am in the 50 to 52 range.
What is your best long jump distance?
My sophomore year, I jumped 20-feet.
Nycolis, I appreciate your time today and wish you and the Falcons success with the rest of your season.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Davis HS/Prudhomme family; Nycolis Prudhomme