Interview: Louisiana 3-Star 2017 OT Dwayne Fisher Talks Arkansas State Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The Red Wolves are barreling their way down to National Signing Day picking up top talent along the way. Arkansas State now has 18 verbal commitments with three-star JUCO safeties Jovon Burriss Jr. (Fullerton) and Michael Johnson (Mt. San Antonio) committing last week and three-star Louisiana tackle Dwayne Fisher on Sunday. Every commitment is important but Fisher’s maybe one of the key grabs in the 2017 class for the Red Wolves.
Fisher spent his senior season pushing around opposing 5A Louisiana defenders helping John Ehret High School to a 12-3 campaign. The three-game push into the playoffs for the Patriots gave college coaches extra time to scout John Ehret’s road grading lineman. The 6-5, 335 pound, tackle helped pave the way for 2,700 hard fought yards on the ground and over 1,200 in the passing game. Early offers came in from Arkansas, Louisiana-Monroe, Louisiana-Lafayette, Texas-San Antonio, and Arkansas State (March 8).
The recruiting process is tricky and can change at any time. The Razorbacks landed Fisher’s commitment on April 6, but by May 14 a parting of ways occurred. Other reported offers began piling up with Colorado, Virginia Tech, Jackson State, McNeese State, and Mississippi State getting into the mix. After an official visit to Louisiana-Monroe on Jan. 22, Fisher verbally committed to the Warhawks but an official visit to Jonesboro over the weekend helped Fisher find his college fit.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the newest Arkansas State commit finding out how the two came together and received insight on the high hopes the Red Wolves staff has for Fisher.
Interview
Dwayne, how many scholarship offers have you received throughout this process?
“Sixteen.”
How did you narrow down all the schools to your top programs?
“Basically I was looking at which coach and school wanted me and which ones gave me the most attention. I was not worried about the conference the school was in but about which coaches really wanted me.”
Which schools did you officially visit?
“ULM (Louisiana-Monroe), Southern Miss, and Arkansas State.”
When did you visit each school?
“ULM on Jan. 13, Southern Miss on Jan. 20, and Arkansas State over the weekend.”
The visit to Jonesboro obviously went well. If you will, give me an overview on the Arkansas State visit?
“It was awesome. It is a family based school and program. The players treated you like one of them. The team was always together. Everyone ate together and everyone was talking with one another having a good time. The coaches made me and my family feel at home. Even though I had committed to ULM they still wanted me to come down there.”
When did you actually commit to Arkansas State?
“I committed on Sunday.”
You mentioned the relationship you had with the coaches, what else influenced your decision?
“The way the school works with the players on their academics. They have tutors there that can help you succeed in the classroom. That is important to me. Getting a good education is important to me.”
How did the commitment take place?
“I committed when I was there before I left. I committed to Coach (Blake) Anderson (head coach).”
How did you present your commitment to Coach Anderson?
“I told him I feel like this is somewhere I could be for the next four to five years and he accepted my commitment.”
How did Coach Anderson respond to your commitment?
“He was happy. All of the coaches were happy. They all gave me a hug and said ‘welcome to the family.’ They were jumping around and celebrating.”
How did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed?
“I was excited – real excited. There was no nervous energy. I was excited to commit.”
Which position is Arkansas State recruiting you to play specifically on the line?
“Left tackle.”
Did the coaches give you anything they wanted you to work on this off-season?
“Not yet. That will have to wait until after I sign.”
Did the coaches talk to you about playing time and lay out when you might get on the field?
“They expect me to start this season. They lost their entire line. They do not have a left tackle. I should start as a true freshman.”
That’s great. Are you excited about the chance to start as a true freshman?
“Yeah, I’m excited. I feel like if I go in there and put the work in I can start as a true freshman.”
When you got home last night from your trip, did you do anything to celebrate your commitment?
“No. I went to sleep.”
Where are you holding your NSD ceremony?
“At school.”
Are you shutting down your recruitment?
“Yeah, it is shut down.”
Dwayne, thanks for your time today and congrats, again, on your commitment.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credits: Fisher family; Dwayne Fisher at Arkansas State (Jan. 2017).