Interview: Move to Center for Samari Saddler Adds to Ohio Rising Star’s Status

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Once the pads are on, the football has been kicked off, and the line is set, no one at any level can deny the blocking abilities of offensive lineman Samari Saddler once the ball has been snapped. The Archbishop Moeller talent has put together a highlight reel full of pancake blocks seeing the hole opening monster layout top Ohio competition game after game. The only knock college coaches have is a preconceived notion that a 6’2”, 300 pound, guy cannot play guard at the next level. An inch or so taller and the bias would be lifted along with his recruiting rankings.

As is, colleges see Saddler more as a center than a guard because of his height. So, to appease the college brain trust the Cincinnati area product has moved to center to help anchor an already impressive Fighting Crusaders front line in 2016. Once a mid-season highlight reel is up seeing Saddler in action at center, the list of 16 full-ride scholarships is likely to grow quickly.

Not all colleges have a problem with Saddler’s height, just Power Five Conference schools. The prototypical size for some is so deeply ingrained that teams like Navy, Old Dominion, Miami (OH), Kent State, Eastern Michigan, Austin Peay, Buffalo, Cornell, Akron, Air Force, Eastern Kentucky, Mercer, Marshall, and Army have a shot at getting a steal in the 2017 class.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I spent time with Saddler going over his off-season workouts, Moeller’s status entering fall camp, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Samari, I know you’ve been busy this off-season working on a few new things. What all have you been working on thus far?

“I’ve been working on that first step and not stepping behind myself getting back. Coach (John Rodenberg) noticed that I have fixed that problem. That was a big accomplishment for me. I needed to work on that.”

Have you been taking snaps at center this summer?

“Yeah, I’ve been playing center at camp for the past four days.”

When did you guys start camp?

“We started on Thursday.”

How has fall camp gone so far for Moeller?

“Pretty well so far. We have a whole different atmosphere this year. After going 5-5 last year, we have a new feeling and energy this year. We are getting ready and not playing around. Practices have been intense so far.”

How does the team look four days into camp?

“We have most of our O-line back, there are three of us. All of us have D-I offers. Zach Carpenter (2019 offensive tackle) has an offer from Louisville, Jacob Gall (2017 guard), and myself. On the defensive side of the ball we have some great kids coming back in the secondary and our linebackers are solid. Our running backs should be good. We are all competing hard and getting ready.”

Last time we spoke you had some pretty salty numbers in the weight room. Where are you at right now with you max lifts?

“We maxed out a couple of weeks ago. My bench is 370, my power clean is 325, and I dead-lifted 450 six or seven times.”

Did you squat?

“No. I was coming off a camp and my legs were sore. I didn’t want to risk it.”

Have you gone to any camps this summer?

“I went to the Sound Mind Sound Body camp and I went to a Cincinnati camp.”

How did the Cincinnati camp go for you?

“I performed really well there. They said I did a great job.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I have 16 offers.”

Which schools are showing new recruiting interest?

“I have not been on the recruiting trail lately, I’ve been focused on our season. I want to win this season. I have backed off of it. Some schools contact me every day and I try to get back to them. I have not been on social media as much lately. West Virginia, I’ve been talking to them lately. Marshall and Navy too. I talk to Illinois every once in a while. I spoke with Oklahoma’s offensive line coach (Bill Bedenbaugh) not that long ago. He told me their deal with everything.”

Are most of the teams that are showing interest wanting to see some reel of you snapping this year?

“Pretty much.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits this off-season?

“No. I have not been able to go anywhere yet. I’m planning on getting over to Navy and Marshall sometime soon. I’m not sure about the others yet.”

I have looked at Moeller’s schedule and there is a game I’m excited to see you guys play, but I wanted to know if there are any games on the schedule that you are getting excited to play?

“There are two games I am getting excited to play. One is Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ – Sept. 17) and the other is St. Ignatius (Cleveland – Oct. 14). The Don Bosco game last year left a sour taste in our mouths (lost 31-14). We want to beat them badly this year, show them that we are the top dog. We have something to prove this year and we have that chip on our shoulder. We play two teams we never play this year, Lakota West (Aug. 26) and Mason (Sept. 9). I’m interested to play against them. They have some top players there.”

Samari, I can’t wait to see the Don Bosco Prep game this year. Thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of fall camp.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: scoutingohio.com; No. 66 Samari Saddler pre-snap.

Photo credits: twitter.com; Samari Saddler (left) at a camp.