Interview with Fort Smith Southside Hidden Talent OLB Si Kilinc

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Every year countless high school football players with next level talent get overlooked or perhaps do not receive as much attention as deserved. All things apply to Fort Smith Southside outside linebacker Si Kilinc.

Kilinc might be a little bit of a tweener at 6’1”, 190-195, but he mans the outside linebacker position well able to stuff the opposition’s run game, make plays in the backfield, and drop back into coverage stopping a tight end as well as a slot receiver from advancing the chains down the field. He’s fast running in the lower 4.6 range and strong pushing his bench close to 300 pounds and squatting close to 400.

In 2014 Kilinc had 83 tackles, 68 solo, 12 tackles for a loss, six quarterback hurries, five sacks, six pass breakups, and forced two fumbles while causing three. All of his efforts helped Southside to a 9-3 record before a second round loss in the playoffs to eventual state runner-up Fayetteville.

Local and national media had Kilinc as a preseason All-State defensive selection. Despite all of the attention and strong on the field play, the Class of 2016 talent only has one offer with a lot of different schools keeping an eye on him throughout his senior season.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I caught up with Si before his Week 2 game against Greenwood to go over his preparation for his senior year, how Southside looks for the 2015 season, and received a recruiting update finding out what other teams may offer him beyond Northeastern State University.

Interview

Si, how did the 2014 season go for you on the field?

“Last year went good. I didn’t come out much and stayed in most of the time. My sophomore year, I started out playing corner and for the Greenwood game coach wanted a fast outside linebacker, a for sure tackler because we had depth at corner. So I moved in for that game and ever since I fell in love with being that outside backer. I find it fitting for me because I’m kind of like a big safety. We run a 4-3 defense. One play I’ll be in the box tackling a big fullback or running back getting under blockers. You gotta be physical for that. I’m physical enough to be in the box.

“On passing plays I’m savvy enough to drop back in pass coverage or lock up on a No. 2 receiver. They have me flying around all the time. Against Alma I was out in space in for the entire time. Sometimes I’m in the box but it just depends on the offense that we’re going against. Our coaches are really good at game planning that. That spot is becoming more and more used because of the slot receiver now a days. You have to have a guy that can cover someone and the next play go in the box and get around lineman.”

At the end of last year did you earn any individual honors?

“I was honorable mention (conference). I’ve been honorable mention two years in a row for All-Conference.”

What did you do in the offseason to prepare for your senior year?

“I stayed after practice every day during the summer doing the ladder, working on my hips, and getting stronger. I’m up to 285 on my bench press now. That was another thing I was focused on. Really just doing whatever I could do to prepare for the season. Doing sprints and watching film with Coach (Jeff) Williams (head coach) just to stay fresh mentally.”

What was the best time you ran this summer in the 40-yard dash?

“I ran a 4.68 at Furman, but my best time I’ve ever ran was a 4.64.”

How does Southside look for the 2015 season?

“Last year we lost a lot of key players especially on the defensive side. This year we have a lot of young guys stepping up and playing their hearts out. We’ve already faced some adversity and I made sure I went up to talk to the guys before and during the game. I told them “look, were in high school now, you can do this. You have to set your mind. We’re going to get this W.” They were really good about it and really mature. We have a sophomore starting at corner and at our other corner is a junior. He has not played in a long time. He’s stepping up in the new position.

“We lost a lot of key players but those spots are being filled with guys playing with heart and that’s all you can ask for. They’re working hard after practice. During the offseason I picked out these guys I knew they’d have to step up. I did one-on-ones with them. I’d get a quarterback and some receivers and I’d teach them how to press and back pedal. Because I used to play corner, that helps me a lot in pass coverage at the linebacker position because I know how that works.

On the offensive side of the ball we have a veteran line. We have a quarterback that played a little bit last year, he’s really stepping up. We have some great wide outs, guys that have been slept on and no one really knows about. They’re going to do big things for us this year. In the backfield we have Parker Dixon at running back, he’s a slasher running back. He played safety last year. We didn’t know he can play running back. He stepped up and showed what he can do. All those spots we thought would be hard to fill, we have guys with heart that are coming in and doing a great job for us.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“I for sure want to get that ring. People ask me all the time, “Si, are we going to get a ring this year?” My answer every time is “I have to. I have no choice, it’s my last year.” I’ve been dying for it since my sophomore year. I’ve never been more hungry for that ring. I’m doing everything I can to get my guys on board with me. They want it just as bad, as I do. Even the younger guys. I guess the seniors have rubbed off on them. Practice is serious and people are not playing any games and the younger guys are stepping up in leadership positions. We’re going to chase that ring this year.”

Will your role expand this year compared to 2014?

“No sir. Same thing as last year. It changes for every offense, it depends on the offense we are going up against. No new positions. Coach asked me about playing receiver a little bit but I don’t think that will happen because we have so many kids and there is not enough time to practice offense and defense. He asked me in the offseason about playing running back but I wanted to focus on defense. My heart has always been on defense. I’d rather knock the daylights out of someone than score a touchdown any day.”

Which schools are showing interest in you right now?

“The top schools I’d say, are Army, Coach (Keith) Gaither (wide receivers coach), I plan on going up there for either the Duke game or when they play Rutgers. I already have my game invite and everything. Louisiana-Monroe is another one. That is Coach (Nate) Brown (cornerbacks coach). I’m going to visit there for a home game. And then Southeast Missouri State, that’s Coach (Joe) Uhls. I’m visiting there for a home game over there too.

“University of San Diego is a big one, Furman as well. I camped there this summer. Pennsylvania and Stanford, they’ve been on me since my sophomore year. They came to one of our games when we played Greenwood. That was the first game where I started at outside linebacker. It turned out they were there were to recruit someone from Greenwood. Then my dad got a call the next day from Coach Alderson, but my recruiting coordinator there is now Coach (Lance) Anderson (defensive coordinator). They thought I was a junior and they were asking about me. Communication has been really good with all of these schools. I’m getting texts frequently or whenever they can because of the NCAA rules.

“I have one offer, Northeastern State University. I thought I’d get more offers this summer but I only went to two camps. I’m really focused on my senior year. All of the coaches have pretty much said the same thing, they all want to see my senior film. They’re telling me I’m highly up there and one of their top guys that they’re looking at but they want to make sure that I have a great senior year. I like it that way. I can just focus on my team and chasing that ring.”

Are any of the in-state schools showing interest in you?

“I was visited by the head coach (Steve Campbell) from UCA (Central Arkansas). He came to my school and talked to me a little bit. I played on going to one of their camps over the summer but could not make it. I have not talked to them in a while.

“Arkansas State has been in contact. I wanted to go to their camp as well but couldn’t. Arkansas came and watched a game. Coach EK Franks messages my dad every now and again asking how I am doing. I couldn’t make to their camp either. Arkansas has seen me play a lot.”

What type of feedback have you received from these colleges when they’ve talked about your skill set?

“They like, like I said about the outside linebacker spot where I’m moving all over the place, I’m here one second and then outside or then in the box. That position is getting more and more important everyday as that slot position becomes more and more important. A lot of guys are really good inside the box but they cannot cover very well. Then there are other guys that are small and can cover but when they get in the box they can’t get around the linemen. The main thing is that I am versatile and I can do the main things well.”

What are the main factors you will consider in choosing a college?

“For sure, the coaches. How they are. I want to be somewhere I can image myself there for four years. That’s four years of my life. I want to be somewhere where it feels like family.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“Definitely my big brother. My big brother Blaine, he pole vaults in college (Oklahoma Baptist University). He was great in high school. He played for the South All Black Diamonds in Oklahoma. I know he could have gone somewhere. He had some bad luck. He broke his thumb his senior year and he was a really good receiver.

“I go to Southside, he went to a little 4A school, he did not get the exposure. He never got the exposure. Like this interview, he never got an interview like this. Was he good enough to get this interview? Yes, he was. He’s so awesome. He’s not jealous at all. He’s very supportive. Anytime he’s in town we’re out there running routes against me. He’s really fast and always helping me get faster and giving me tips. I love that dude to death. He’s always proud of me sending me good luck texts before the game. I feel like he did not get a shot to play. That’s why I changed my number to 36 from 7 to dedicate my high school career to him. When I look at that 36 jersey and I put it on I think of my big brother.”

Describe your most memorable moment in high school football.

“When I’m lined up and I look beside me making the calls. That moment, these are my best friends out there and we’re all working for the same goal. It’s awesome to look around and be a part of the team. I’ve made so many memories. I just love being a part of the team being able to look around and see that we are all trying to get that ring together. Those are my best memories not only in football and in life.

“I love football. It’s what wakes me up in the morning and keeps me going all year round.”

What games are you excited to play this year that are left on the schedule?

“We play Greenwood coming up. Last year, we’ve been competing with them, they are one of our top rivals. I remember my sophomore year, again that was my first time playing outside linebacker, I got an interception with four minutes left on the clock. We were tied 42-42. We set it up about to win the game and then we went three-and-out. They drove it down and kicked a field goal with two seconds left on the clock to win the game. That moment has haunted me since. Last year same story, it came down to the wire and we lost 15-10. I remember looking at the seniors, some of them were crying. I thought that’s not going to be me my senior year. I’m going to win this not only for me and for my team but for the alumni and the players I used to play with. There is a lot of emotion that will go into that game.”

*Southside suffered another heart breaker losing to Greenwood 38-31 on Sept. 11.

Si, thanks for your time today. Good luck the rest of the season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Twitter.com; No. 36 Si Kilinc comes up with the turnover.

Photo credit: 247sports.com; No. 36 Si Kilinc.