Interview: Momentum for Easton Seidl Grows from Off-Season into Senior Year

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

One of the more highly productive yet unsung heroes coming out of the Natural State in the 2017 recruiting class is Easton Seidl. The do-it all Cabot talent has ratcheted up his game over the past two seasons turning into a defensive playmaker out of the central Arkansas area. After an exhaustive college camp circuit over the summer, the talented linebacker is finally starting to get his due.

No matter how much attention Seidl may get from now until the clock rolls triple-zero on the season for the Panthers, ball carriers lining up against Cabot will have an angry linebacker to face. The now slimmed down 6-2, 240 pounder, has filled up the stat sheet in 2014 and 2015 coming up with 83 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two pass break-ups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two sacks, and quarterback hurries as a sophomore. During his junior year he got even better ending with 90 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two interceptions, five pass breakups, three forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, three sacks, eight quarter back hurries, and even blocked field goal.

Seidl is a little lighter on his feet after playing his junior season at around 250 pounds. The increased speed was showcased at different college camps leading to three offers extended over the summer. With another season to hand out grass stains to ball carriers, teams at all college classifications are interested to see what he may do to finish out his high school career.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with Seidl covering his camp season, off-season workouts, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Easton, what all have you been working on this off-season in preparation for your senior year?

“I went to a lot of camps. I worked on my speed a lot. My best 40-yard dash time was a 4.82. I worked a lot on my pass coverage and one-on-one coverage. My run game is the best part of my game. I mainly worked on the weaker parts.”

You mentioned you went to a lot of camps. How did that go?

“Yeah, I went to a lot of camps to get work in and picked up three offers.”

Which schools extended offers to you?

“Arkansas Tech, Arkansas-Monticello, and Harding.”

That’s great.

“I have some D-I AA schools like Southeast Missouri looking hard at me. UCA (Central Arkansas) as well.”

Which camps did you attend this summer?

“I went to Southeast Missouri, UCA, Tennessee Tech, UAM (Arkansas-Monticello), Henderson State, and the All-Arkansas Combine.”

Which camp did you perform your best?

“I think I did the best at the UAM camp. I played tight end in the early part of the camp and got an offer. About 10 minutes later I was playing linebacker at the camp and got an offer as a linebacker.”

Did the second coach to offer know you had just been offered as a tight end?

“No, he didn’t know.”

That’s great. That had to make you feel pretty good.

“Yeah, that was cool. I know if I go there I will have two potential positions to play.”

With all the work put in at the various camps, what did you learn that you will take with you into your senior year?

“Mainly how to do better in one-on-one pass coverage. We don’t work on it that much at my school. I really paid attention to that part and tried to work it in to my game.”

You mentioned the offers you’ve received, what other schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“Arkansas State is looking at me a little, Louisiana Tech, and Kansas.”

Did you take any unofficial visits this off-season?

“Yeah, I went to look at Arkansas Tech and Harding. That was all I had time for though. I had a busy summer with the camps and playing baseball this summer too.”

I’ll get to the baseball part in a minute. Do you have any visits planned?

“Yeah, I’m visiting UAM, but I don’t know when. During the season I will go to a lot of college games. I’m planning on going to as many UAM home games as I can. I want to go to Southeast Missouri, Arkansas Tech, and Harding as well.”

With baseball, was that American Legion play?

“Yes sir. We (Cabot Centennial Bank) won state two weeks ago.”

Who did you guys beat for the title?

“In the championship we had to beat Magnet Cove twice. We lost to them and then won the next two. They were a good team.”

How did you do personally on the diamond?

“During the season I hit around .400. I had a homerun, about eight triples, and I don’t know how many doubles I had.”

Which positions did you play?

“Outfield and third base.”

How did your junior year end up in the classroom?

“I think I had a 2.9 or 3.0.”

How does Cabot look heading into the season?

“We’ve had a couple of injuries already. Our starting running back, Alex Roberts, he’s a beast, tore his ACL. We have a good sophomore taking his slot. Everything else is good. Chris Jones (offensive lineman) is back. He just got cleared. We have eight returning starters back. We have two on the defensive line, three defensive backs, and a couple of linebackers back.”

Sounds like the defense will be a strength to the team.

“We will have a good defense this year.”

When do you guys start fall practices?

“We’ve already started. We started in shorts and helmets last Monday. We had our first team scrimmage yesterday.”

How did you do in the team scrimmage?

“They are putting me in a lot of different positions. We have another good linebacker on the team which will allow me to play defensive end in certain situations. That maybe my best position.”

Which games on the schedule are you excited to play this year?

“Pine Bluff (Sept. 2) and Southside (Fort Smith on Sept. 30). Southside beat us last year in the playoffs (35-25).”

Easton, thanks for your time today and good luck with your senior season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Seidl family; Easton Seidl at Arkansas Tech.

Photo credit: Seidl family; Easton Seidl at Harding.