One to Watch Interview: Iowa 2017 DL Bedale Naba Prepping for Breakout Camp Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

When Iowa high school football fans flock to see Des Moines West Valley High School play in the fall, chances are they are drawn to the stadium to see Class of 2017 quarterback Rocky Lombardi (Michigan State), and for good reason. Lombardi fits the profile of a dynamic playmaker in the pocket and has proven as much for the Tigers. During the 2015 season, the Tigers went 10-3 pushing into the semifinals before a tough loss to Dowling. Along the way Lombardi threw for 2,400 yards with 29 touchdowns aiding the offense to a great season. But another Class of 2017 talent was on the other side of the ball doing his part to ensure victories, defensive lineman Bedale Naba.

Naba is a coach’s kind of player. Listed at 6’0.5”, 270 pounds, play after play Naba gets after it on defense displaying great quickness and strength collapsing the pocket and putting offensive linemen on roller skates drifting in the wrong direction as instructed. Naba did his part directing the action to his linebackers while coming up with 36 tackles and 7.5 sacks along with recovering one fumble and blocking a punt.

Tigers’ head coach Gary Swenson utilized Naba over the center, over the guard, and from time to time on the end. Naba’s height does not fit the prototypical recruitments for Division-I nose guards or 3-techinques but his tough play in the trenches makes him a well suited fit in a 4-3 as a weakside defensive end at the next level using his speed and quickness to put pressure on the quarterback while being able to stop the run.

Next level college recruiters are showing interest in Naba, but as the story goes all are unsure where to place him on their roster and all of them want to see him work his magic in person. Whichever team takes the gamble on Naba and lands him is sure to get a role model player on and off the field who plays with heart and a motor that does not quit on the field.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Naba as he preps for the all too important one-day camp summer circuit that will help push his recruiting forward putting him on center stage with next level decision makers.

Interview

Bedale you play all over the line showing a lot of ability against offensive linemen at any position. In your opinion, what are some of the things you do really well as a defensive lineman?

“I think one of the things I do really well is closing down the pocket and putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback. I do not get moved around. I do a good job driving through blocks and reading the plays. I think I have a knack for the ball.”

From a technical standpoint, what are some of the things you do well?

“I think I’m good at getting lower than the other guy and diving him back. I’m working on more hand movements, a lot of defensive line coaches stress that. I have gotten good at slapping hands away, leaning in, and applying the pressure.”

What are your goals for the 2016 football season?

“I have big goals. I don’t know how realistic they are and I believe last year I was a dominate player. I thought I should have been All-Conference and at least second team All-State. I got a little salty about that. But my goal is to make first team All-State and help lead my team to a state title.”

How will your role change this year compared to 2016? Will we see you at another position or on offense?

“There has been some talk about me playing goal line at guard. We’ll see if that happens as the season starts. I played quite a bit of nose last year to prep me for this year. I’m not sure how much of that I will play verses a 3-technique. With the nose guard package, I’m good at getting a bull rush. In a Jet-3 or Jet-nose, I go in and they let me loose. They let me go up the field and make plays.”

Which schools are showing interest in your right now?

“I have received a lot of camp invites.”

Which schools are wanting you to camp with them?

“UNI (Northern Illinois), NIU (Northern Iowa), and South Dakota State are three of them.”

Do you know which camps you might attend this summer?

“UNI and NIU, I’m going to those two. Northwest Missouri State, I know those three for sure. I’m not sure about the others. I’m thinking about going to South Dakota and maybe South Dakota State.”

Have you unofficially visited any schools yet?

“I have gone to Northwest Missouri and I have gone to South Dakota State for their Junior Day.”

How did your visit to South Dakota State go?

“I liked it. We went to meetings with their defensive line coach, Coach (Jesse) Currier. We watched highlights and I got to see the facilities. The coaches seemed very genuine. I liked it.”

How did your trip to Northwest Missouri go?

“That was a fun visit. I got to know their recruiting coordinator, Coach (Joel) Osborn. I talked to the head coach, Coach (Adam) Dorrel. He asked about our families and all of that. He asked about me and asked personal questions. I enjoyed that. He seemed interested in me. I liked their tempo and energy. Overall that trip was a very good experience for me.”

Are you playing any sports for West Valley other than football?

“I’m currently participating in track. I did wrestle freshman and sophomore year. I sat out this year to focus on football. I will more than likely do it again next year.”

Which events in track are you participating in right now?

“Shotput and discus.”

How is the season going?

“It’s going pretty good. I rank ninth in shotput with a distance of 54.3. I need to get it together, but it’ll come.”

How is everything going in the classroom? Do you have a GPA you don’t mind sharing?

“I think I have a 2.9 or a 3.0. This semester is going well, I have all A’s and B’s. I take the ACT soon. Hoping to do well on that.

What is your favorite subject in school?

“I love biology. I really like it and sociology and psychology. I really like learning about the human anatomy things like that.”

Have you started thinking about what you would like to major in while in college?

“Yeah, I think I want to be a physical therapist. That is the main thing I have been looking at, I want to major in that.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“That’s a tough question. I love football but there are so many things I love about football. I really like the brotherhood and the bonds we make. And you get to play hard.”

Bedale, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 49 Bedale Naba at Valley West.

Photo credit: Naba family; Bedale Naba at Northwest Missouri State.