North Carolina: Interview with Providence Day Class of 2016 OL/DL Eric Cal

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

There is a movement going on at Providence Day High School that could carry on well into the North Carolina High School Playoffs. The Charlotte area team started the year out 1-3 but have since streaked to a 5-3 mark seemingly gelling at the right time of the season. The Chargers have talent on the roster but when looking at the play of both the offense and the defense during the 2015 season, it is hard to look past the play of two-way star lineman Eric Cal.

Cal is a 6’3”, 288 pound, blue-collar – lunch pail kind of guy. The opposition is not going to outwork Cal and chances are they are not going to be more physical or more technically sound than the Class of 2016 under the radar recruit. Play after play, for well over 100 snaps every game, there is Cal working his backside off pushing opposing linemen around the field.

On offense, primarily lining up at left tackle, Cal moves really well, especially for his size. The Chargers will pull Cal from the tackle spot back into the interior to help blow open a whole, use him on counters, and ask him to get out to the second level to get a hat on a linebacker, safety, or corner on screens; and he delivers.

Next level talent evaluators see the effort and skill set Cal has with teams like Air Force, Elon, Army, and Navy all offering Cal. The list could grow with teams like Miami, Campbell, Lafayette, and Appalachian State among others all showing heavy interest. Cal projects more as an interior lineman at the collegiate level which works well for the Providence Day star. He started his high school career playing center, during his sophomore year was bumped out to right tackle, and then brought back to center during his junior season. Entering the 2015 season, Chargers head coach Adam Hastings thought it would be best to put his talented lineman on the blindside and Cal his fit right in making play after play.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Eric to go over his senior season to date, got an inside perspective on the Chargers’ season to date, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Eric, Providence Day started out 1-3 but are now 5-3. How does the team look heading into the last part of the schedule?

“We look really good. We are on a four-game winning streak. We are putting up big numbers on offense and keeping teams to small numbers on defense. The coaching staff has done a tremendous job making tiny changes to our play calling keeping our opponents off balance but keeping with our team identity. They are always throwing in wrinkles to the game plan. I’m confident about us finishing our conference with a full head of steam into playoffs.”

What is the strength of this year’s football team?

“I’d say the strength of the team is just us, the identity of our team. We came out underdogs, but we never thought of ourselves like that. We came out ready to hit and outplay everyone we’ve played. That identity has gone through our captains and coaches. That’s been the biggest driver to our success. We have some new coaches that have introduced new schemes too. It’s been working for us so far.”

What are your strengths on the field as an offensive lineman?

“I’d say as a lineman, I’m a hard working guy. Even if I’m practicing for a game I go onto the practice field with the same intensity against the scout team as I would against an opponent. I don’t take practices off, even if I know I can beat the kid I’m going against by just going 50 percent. The scout team guys don’t like that. I move well. We have a lot of plays that call for counters and pulls. I get to go down field using my athleticism and quickness.

“Another strength of mine is, I start both ways. I play every offensive and defensive snap and a lot special teams. I like being on the field. I don’t like watching a game that I am part of. I’ve played games where I played 177 snaps. I felt it the next day but would not want it any other way.”

Which position are you being recruited to play at the next level?

“All the schools are looking at me as a center. They like watching my defensive film though. Playing defensive line, shows some of my mobility and athleticism, different angles that I can bring to the field. Some things you do as a defensive lineman you can’t replicate on the offensive line.”

What are you defensive line stats for the season?

“I have around 36 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and I’m not sure how many tackles for a loss.”

At the end of last season did you earn any individual honors?

“Yes, I was an All-State and All-Conference offensive lineman first-team NCISA Division.”

After a standout junior season, what were some of the things you wanted to work on before entering your senior year?

“The biggest thing was going into the weight room and I ran a bunch more than I had done in the past. We have a really good coach who used to play in the NFL. He had a NFL strength and conditioning plan that he brought to the team. That was the biggest thing that helped me. I worked on my endurance going out running every day, running a lot of sprints, and then going into the weight room to lift after I was tired. I focused on my strength, athleticism, and my speed.”

Looking at your season to date, how well have you performed in your opinion?

“I think I’ve done well. Of course I’m always aiming to improve. I don’t think I’ve stopped improving. Personally, I think I’m doing well. I’ve had 34 domination blocks on the offensive line, that’s pushing a defender 10 yards down the field or more plus pancake blocks, and I’ve done well on defense. I think if the coaches feel like we need a couple of tough yards they can run behind me.”

What are you goals over the last couple of games of the regular season?

“I want to win state and make some post-season award lists, and never stop improving. I want to keep doing my job well.”

Which schools have offered you so far?

“Air Force, Army, Columbia, Elon, and Navy.”

Which schools are showing interest in you?

“I’m in contact with Campbell, Garner Webb, Lafayette, Lehigh, and the University of Miami. App State (Appalachian State) is in touch with me at least once a week too.”

Have you been on any unofficial or official visits so far?

“Yes. This year I’ve been to Duke, Navy, and Army.”

How did you visit to Duke go?

“It went well. I watched their home opener. I got to talk to their offensive line coach (John Latina), I talked to my recruiting Coach DJ (Derek Jones – cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator), and the director of player personnel. That was early in the season. We’ve been in touch. They wanted to see my mid-season highlights and want to see my end of the season reel. I enjoyed myself on that visit.”

How did your visit to Navy go?

“It went really well. It was during a hurricane. It was cold and rainy. I got to talk to the entire coaching staff and got to go down on the field for warmups. After the game, my favorite part of the trip was going into the locker room to hear the coach (Ken Niumatalolo) speak to his team. How he spoke so highly of his team and his assistant coaches was great. He never talked about himself or gave himself credit for the game. He gave all the credit to his seniors, his players, and his assistant coaches. I got to hear the athletic director and other players talk to the players too. I got to feel the tradition of the Navy and Air Force game. They wanted that game after losing last year. My favorite part was hearing the coaches speak in the locker room.”

Do you have a timeframe of when you want to commit?

“Not necessarily. I want to visit schools that I’ve been offered and after my visits and once the season is over I’ll more than likely make a decision then. My No. 1 priority is my team, making a run through the playoffs, and getting a ring. I don’t want the distraction of making a recruiting decision. I don’t want that to take away from the team and our goals.”

Did you go to any one-day college camps over the summer?

“Yes, I went to a Rivals camp – Charlotte Regional Opening, some local combines, Wake Forest’s one-day camp, Duke’s one-day camp, Miami’s one-day camp, App State’s, and Navy’s.”

So all the school pretty much that are showing interest got to see you in person.

“Yes.”

Do you play any other sports for Providence Day?

“Yes, I throw shot and disc. I also run with the sprinters. I think I’m fast but I’m nowhere near competition speed.”

What are your best distances on the shot and discus?

“On the shot my best distance is 48-foot 1-inch and on the disc 126.8. I could be a little bit off on that but I’m pretty sure that’s it.”

Do you know what you want to major in when you go to college?

“I’m leaning towards business or finance. I might end up doing something completely different once I get to school but that’s what I’m thinking about right now.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“I have a 3.89 GPA unweighted.”

Do you have a score on the ACT or SAT you don’t mind sharing?

“I got a 31 on my ACT.”

Impressive.

“Thank you.”

What is your favorite part about playing football?

“My favorite part is the relationships I have built with my teammates and the coaches. The locker room is kind of like a home away from home. I get to hang out with my teammates in the locker room. We get to talk about whatever and I don’t have to worry about school or football. We get to shoot the breeze about whatever. It’s the thing that I will miss most when my senior season is over. You build up all of these relationships with the guys, you play, practice, and work your butt off for four years together. All the little inside jokes and moments that bring you together as a team are great. The locker room is a sacred place for me.”

Eric, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your season.

“Thank you.”

Click link to see Eric Cal’s end of season highlight reel via Hudl!

Photo credit: Nue-Pix; No. 79 Eric Cal

Photo credit: Mike McCarn Photography; Eric Cal

Photo credit: RCS Charlotte; Eric Cal works at a camp.

Photo credit: Cal family; Eric visiting Navy.