Inerview: Iowa 3-Star 2018 OL Andrew Todd Determined to Prove Doubters Wrong

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Getting a 6-foot, 4-inch, 280 pound, athletic young man mad may not be the best thing to do in the world. Poke a proverbial stick at said young man long enough something will happen, good and bad. The good news for fans of Washington High School football and next level offensive line coaches, offensive lineman Andrew Todd is mad and ready to prove all doubters wrong. The bad news… opposing Iowa 4A defenders are going to feel his wrath throughout the 2017 season.

Todd has worked his way into being one of Iowa’s top Class of 2018 recruits after making the Warriors’ varsity squad during his freshman year. His continued work on and off the field has made him one of the more intriguing players for college coaches to watch. The Cedar Rapids area squad has put together back-to-back 10-2 seasons making runs to the third round of the playoffs in 2015 and 2016. With ample film to see Todd against top area players, four offers have come in from Iowa State, Western Michigan, Illinois State, and Texas State. The list of college programs that could offer if they see what they are looking for includes Michigan State, Iowa, Iowa State, Northwestern, and Miami (Ohio).

*East Carolina, Western Illinois, and Miami (Ohio) offered after the interview.

The oddity for Todd, he has ascended up the rankings as a top lineman by and large off of his pass blocking as opposed to what most linemen are known for early, run blocking. The fire burning in Todd has turned him into a man on a mission using the 2017 off-season as an opportunity to sure up the one area of his game that could take him from a prized recruit to a highly prized recruit before the end of his senior campaign.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Todd covering his junior season, off-season workouts, and recruitment thus far.

Interview

Andrew, when did you breakthrough at the varsity level?

“I got moved up as a freshman. I played varsity in the later part of the season. Before being called up, I played on the sophomore team as a freshman.”

Which position did you play at the varsity level as a freshman?

“I started at left tackle that year.”

What type of offense do the Warriors run?

“We run a Pro-style offense. We run a lot of power and downfield passing plays. This year we did more screen passes, and lateral plays because we had the athletes to beat guys. We try to run the ball downhill as much as we can.”

How does the Warriors offense suit the things you do well on the field as a lineman?

“As I have grown from my freshman year to now, the offense has molded me. I am a much better run blocker now and I can pass block. I feel that I have very good technique keeping up with faster guys on the edge in my pass blocking.”

How did the three-game run into the playoffs in 2016 help expand your game?

“It really opened my eyes to the caliber of play you have to achieve during the postseason. It showed me that it is a real deal. It is not just another game. Every play and every rep matters. You have to play every snap and every second. In that way it matured me. It got me ready to be a leader on the team this year.”

Who was the toughest defensive lineman you went up against last season?

“Funny enough, the toughest ones I went up against were my own teammates. O’Rien Vance (2017 Iowa State LB signee) and Rane Weiland (DE). Both of them were beasts. Weiland was long and fast. With O’Rien, you can see why he is one of the toughest guys to block if you watch his film. I never faced anyone harder in a game situation than I did in practice.”

How did that battle make you better going forward?

“It hammered out my skills and refined my technique. They are athletic freaks. They taught me to compete with those type of athletes it is all mindset and technique. That really helped develop my game in a positive way.”

Where all will you line up next season?

“I will play left tackle like I have the last two years. Since I am being projected as a guard/center, I might snap or play some guard. But with our numbers they will keep me at left tackle for now. I am content there but I will play anywhere they ask me to play.”

Can you snap?

“Yes. I have been working on developing that part of my game. I work on it every day. I have been working on moving and snapping at the same time.”

Did you earn any honors at the end of your junior season?

“I was second team All-State 4A, first team All-District, and second team All-Metro.”

What areas of your skill set are you working on this off-season?

“Going into this year from past years, a lot of coaches have told me my run blocking was terrible and I’m only good at pass blocking. I’m not saying my hair is on fire but I have taken a new attitude proving that I can be a very good run blocker. I’ve been working on improving my strength, technique, and speed. My work this off-season has been geared towards getting stronger and improving run blocking.”

Have you maxed out in the weight room lately?

“Yes. My bench is 295 and I squatted 315 five times.”

Do you know which camps you might attend this off-season?

“I don’t know. I have to sit down and figure that out. A lot of that will depend on where I sit recruiting wise. My senior year is my biggest emphasis. With exposure camps, I am going to the Nike Regional in Chicago, a Rivals camp in Kansas City or St. Louis, and the Under Armour camp in Chicago.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I have four.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you but have not offered you yet?

“A lot of Big Ten schools like Michigan State, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota.”

You just recently visited Michigan State (Feb. 25). How did that visit go for you?

“It went really well. I had great conversations with Coach (Mark) Staten (offensive line) and Coach (Mark) Dantonio (head coach). They told me I am in the mix. They want to see me develop a little more. They asked me to stay patient.”

You have a visit scheduled with Iowa on March 5. What has you excited about that trip?

“Being an Iowa kid, that is exciting to me. Being able to play for either in-state schools is an honor. During the Iowa visit I can pick their brain about where I am at with my overall skill set. Stuff like that.”

What other visits do you have planned coming up?

“Minnesota. Other than that I am working on visiting Air Force and East Carolina. I have no other set plans.”

Will you visit Iowa State anytime soon?

“Yes, depending on my schedule. I would like to catch another practice.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“3.5.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet and if so what did you score?

“I scored a 22 on the ACT.”

Great! Last question. What will have happened for you to view your off-season as being a success?

“Accomplish gains in the weight room by developing my strength and becoming a better player over all. It is hard to pick apart what that is. A lot has changed about my mindset and attitude with the way I work. Being told I am undersized is frustrating. I have a chip on my shoulder and a fire in belly to prove some people wrong.”

Andrew, good luck with your upcoming visits and camp performances. Thanks for your time today.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: mycapture.com; No. 70 Andrew Todd pushes back a defender.

Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 70 Andrew Todd.