Interview with C.E. Byrd Louisiana QB Deuce Caston

Written by Charlie Beuttel

C.E. Byrd High School in Shreveport, Louisiana has won 24 football games in the past two years. Last year the Yellow Jackets finished the regular season 11-0 earning the No. 1 seed in the Louisiana 5A playoffs. Unfortunately Byrd’s run was halted as they were upset in the quarterfinals by West Monroe and the year finished at 13-1. However the expectations are just as high for the Byrd football program heading into 2015.

Most of the team returns from last year including quarterback Deuce Caston. The 5’8″, 175 pound, quarterback is the leader of this Yellow Jackets team and their offense.

Caston had a great junior year where he had about 400 yards both on the ground and in the air. He also had eight rushing touchdowns and threw for another 12 scores. The Class of 2016 recruit has drawn interest from several schools including Southeastern, Stephen F. Austin, and McNeese State.

I sat down with Deuce for a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview to talk about his high school career at Byrd and his recruiting process heading into his senior season.

Interview
First off, Deuce, congratulations on a great season in 2014 what are your thoughts on the season?

“It was a great season. We won district. We made it to the third round but we all feel we could have made it to state and won. We feel like we could have done better.”

What are your thoughts on your individual performance in 2014?

“I feel that I did what needed to get done. I did what was expected.”

What was your most memorable moment from last year?

“The Parkway game, we went to overtime. I scored all three touchdowns for my team. It was a nail biter game. I scored on the first play in overtime and we won.”

What is one thing you can take away from last season that can motivate you going into 2015?

“The loss to West Monroe in the quarterfinals and leading my team better.”

What are your strengths on the football field?

“The ability to run and pass the ball.”

What is your fastest 40 yard dash time?

“4.58 at the North Texas camp.”

Have you been to any camps this summer?

“I’ve been to eight, Louisiana-Lafayette, Northwestern State, Louisiana-Monroe, Southeastern, Stephen F. Austin, North Texas, and Central Arkansas.”

Do you have any interests from any schools?

“Southeastern, Stephen F. Austin, and McNeese St.”

Have you made any visits?

“Yes to Southeastern and Stephen F. Austin.”

What did you like about each visit?

“At Stephen F. Austin I loved the coaches and the atmosphere. At Southeastern I felt like it was a better fit for me because they run the read option.”

What kind of feedback have you received from college coaches that you have talked to this summer?

“At the Central Arkansas camp the coaches told me I threw the best ball there at their camp.”

Looking ahead to the 2015 schedule what game on your team’s schedule are you most looking forward to playing?

“The Evangel game because they just moved to district and my best friend Corey Henderson plays for them.”

How does Byrd look going into 2015?

“We look fine and mainly the same from last year. We’re going to be pretty good this year.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“You get to do something that some kids don’t have the ability to do. It’s a great feeling to be able to play especially at Byrd with the big student section.”

Photo credit: The Shreveport Times; No. 2 Deuce Caston in action for Byrd.
Photo credit: jawjournalist.blogspot.com; Deuce finds the end zone.