Interview with Texas Arlington Lamar WR Kofi Boateng

Whether he’s scoring on an 80-yard reverse, going up over a defender to make a catch, or routinely outrunning defenders on a fly pattern, Kofi Boateng is a seemingly unstoppable presence on the football field. College coaches running high octane offenses or coaches just needing someone who can catch a 5-yard slant, plant, and take the ball 80-yards to the house have come calling for the Texas native’s skills.

In 2014 Arlington Lamar High School went 8-3 thanks in large part to Boateng’s 66 receptions, 1,023 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns. In an attempt to get the playmaker the ball in other ways, Vikings head coach Trent Fuller gave Boateng 14 carries seeing him pile up 158 yards on the ground with another two scores.

With all of the productivity, 26 different Division-I programs have dropped offers the 6’1”, 180 pound, talent hoping to set up that needed relationship to get Boateng on campus. Arizona State, Arkansas, Cincinnati, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas Tech, Washington, Wisconsin, Cal, Kansas, Kansas State, Minnesota, Vanderbilt, Boston College, Colorado State, Houston, Iowa, and Iowa State are just a few of the schools to extend an offer. More offers might be around the corner with Texas A&M, Texas, Stanford, Alabama, and Georgia showing heavy interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview we caught up with one of the more highly recruited players in the 2016 recruiting class covering ground on the 2014 season, recruiting, and offseason workouts preparing for another standout season in 2015.

 

Kofi, the Vikings were 8-3 last year and basically ran everyone out of the stadium game after game. You had a surprise 31-13 loss to Abilene in the playoffs. Going into the season did you expect to have a great regular season and be a playoff team?

“We thought we’d make a run. We had a good preseason. We had a tough loss to our cross town rivals but we were on a winning streak going into the playoffs. The one thing that held us back, we were winning easy. We didn’t have that struggle to prepare us for the postseason.”

How do you think you did personally during your junior season?

“I think I did pretty well. I was mainly sitting on the bench my sophomore year. I was kind of worried about my weight but more worried about learning all the concepts. Once the seniors were leaving I knew I would be able to step up. After the first couple of games I got comfortable and took off from there.”

How do the Vikings look heading into next season?

“Right now we look like a playoff contender. We lost some key guys at key spots, especially on the offensive line. As time goes on we are gelling together. We were looking good today. I think we’ll make the playoffs again.”

Which honors did you earn at the end of last season?

“At the end of the season I got First-Team All-District, Second-Team Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, and an All-State honorable mention.”

What makes you a great wide receiver?

“I would say my high ball skills and being able to figure out coverage. I can figure out what the DBs are trying to do. My communication with the receivers and helping out the running game down the field are my other strengths.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

One of my goals, personally, is to break our school receiving record for touchdown receptions and receiving yards. I was close to breaking the record by 15 yards on the regular season. That’s just one of things I’ll attempt to do but if I don’t get it I won’t be highly upset.

“Us winning the district championship as a team and making a deep run into the playoffs during my last season is another goal. I want help lay a foundation for the next teams coming in. I just want to elevate my game.”

What is the school touchdown mark?

“I have no clue on that. I just had a clue on the receiving yards. I just know I was close.”

Will the coaches look to put you in different spots on the field next year to maximize your playmaking abilities?

“They are lining me up in different formations. I’m in the slot, sometimes I’ll be outside. I’m on the depth chart at safety. I will return kicks this year. I’ll return kicks this year for sure.”

You have a lot of offers. Which schools are pushing hard right now for you?

“Of the schools that have offered: Illinois, Iowa, Iowa, State, Ole Miss, ASU, Colorado, Kansas, KSU, Texas Tech, Cal – I can say literally all the schools that have offered are pushing to try to get me to sign. All the schools are at an equal level right now. The ones that have really stepped above have been ASU, Maryland, and Ole Miss. Those schools are trying to separate themselves from the back.”

You have a lot of other schools showing heavy interest in you right now. Which schools are showing that interest but have not offered yet?

“The schools that are showing heavy interest are Texas A&M, Texas, Stanford, and Alabama, those are the main ones, and Georgia.”

Have you been on any unofficial visits yet?

“The only unofficial I’ve been on so far has been Texas. I went with my teammate Chris Owens (OL/DE). I’ll probably take more unofficials in June and July and I’ll take my five official visits.”

Are you going to any one-day camps this summer?

“I’ve been looking at camps. My thing is, I’m not trying to be cocky, I’ll put in the work. They can see my film. I’ll listen to whatever you have to say, but we have to build that relationship. If the coaches think I should go to a camp then I’ll consider it.”

If you do go to a camp which camps are you considering?

“I’ve talked to Alabama. I might go there and possibly Auburn, Stanford, and Texas A&M.”

What will influence you on choosing which college will receive your Letter of Intent?

“What will influence me the most are the coaches. Do I have a good relationship with the coaches? Can I see myself playing for that coach and be at the university for three to four years. However long it takes for me to make that jump to the league and get my degree.

“Another thing, can I see myself staying in that area for a long period of time in or out of state, distance does not really matter to me. And my parents will help with that decision also.”

Since your parents are a heavy influence on you, where does mom want you to go to school and where does dad want you to go to school?

“My dad, if he had it his way, he would want me to go to Stanford. If my Mom had it her way she would want me to go to Baylor.”

What type of feedback have you received from these colleges?

“They like my ability to get to the ball. They also like that I can stretch a defense. They like my speed, cutting, and how I’m getting in and out of breaks. I’m not one of those receivers that is a one trick pony that just runs fades or posts. I know how to run all the routes and they like that I run them well.”

I know things may change for you very soon, but as of right now do you have a list of Top 5 or Top 10 schools you like?

“Right now – I’m planning on releasing my list June 6 on Twitter. When I release the list it will be based on schools that have offered me. I’ll still stay in contact with other schools. I’ll still be open to other schools that may want to offer me but have not had a chance to do so yet. I’ll base the list off the schools that I have talked to, who have offered me, and the teams I have good relationships with.”

How many schools will be on the list? Will you have a Top 3 or a Top 5? You have so many schools that have offered you already.

“I’m going to chop it to 10. After I take a couple of visits I should know who will be in my Top 5.”

What are you doing in the offseason to prepare for your senior year or possibly hitting up a couple of camps?

“Right now I’m mainly focused on helping the kids that did not get a lot of playing time to get ready for the jump from JV to varsity. I’m trying to get them set up in the offense. I want everything to run smoothly when the season starts.

“For me, I’ve been working on my hand eye coordination, my ball skills, how I go up for the ball, working on how I come in and out of breaks, and how I run my routes. I’m focused on helping the DBs get the coverages down. Stuff like that.”

Are there any college or NFL guys that you like watching play the game?

“Amari Cooper (Alabama – Oakland Raiders) is one of them. He’s one of my favorite receivers. Another one would be Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers), I like both of them.

“I like watching college receivers. I like the Florida State receivers Travis Rudolph and Ermon Lane. I’ve watched some of their high school stuff. I like seeing what they are doing and implement that stuff to my game.”

Do you participate in any other sports for Arlington Lamar?

“I run track.”

Which events?

“The 4×1, 4×2, and the 110 meter hurdles.”

I have to give it up, the hurdles are rough.

“It’s hard.”

What is your best time in the 110 hurdles?

“14.68. I did better last year than this year. I got pretty far last year. I ran the 14.68 in district. When I got to the next level they were all running a 14.5 and lower. I didn’t make it out of regional.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I’d say being there with guys you share chemistry with, guys who share the same goals as you. They may not be family or share the same blood as you but you all share the same common goals. You’re all playing the game of football, the game you all love and come together developing that bond so quickly.

“Football really shows who really wants it and who doesn’t. The fans may not see your face under the helmet but they’ll know your number. They’ll be able to tell this person doesn’t want it as bad as the other person. You can tell. It makes you a competitive person and that helps you throughout life.”

 

There’s a reason Kofi has 26 scholarship offers to teams all across the nation. Besides being an amazing athlete on the football field, and a good guy off the gridiron, he’s a student in the classroom. Kofi is carrying a 3.2 GPA and has already qualified on his college entrance exams.

Time will tell which schools set up that all too important bond with Kofi which will lead to one lucky school landing Boateng’s LOI on National Signing Day. Until then, watching Kofi slice and dice opposing Texas defenses for one more year will be fun to watch.

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credits: scout.com; Kofi Boateng