On the clock with “Mr. Tackle for a Loss”, Florida DL Keyshon Camp
Every now and again while scouting recruits and doing research a puzzling question comes up. Two questions normally come up, why is this recruit not being more widely recruited and, especially in the case of Keyshon Camp, how can this guy be rated as low as he is?
Camp is a 6’4”, 274 pound, destructive force along the defensive line for Lake Gibson High School. In 2014 he tallied 71 tackles (38 solo), 19 tackles for a loss, 5.0 sacks, 1 scoop and score, and 1 safety, yet somehow is only rated a 3-star by some recruiting services but more appropriately a 4-star by others.
If scholarship offers weigh the ranking scales Camp has that covered with 23 offers from teams like Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, USC, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, N.C. State, UCLA, Virginia Tech, Northwestern, Duke, and Tennessee leaving little doubt as to how college recruiters feel about Camp’s abilities and was a one-time verbal commitment to Miami.
On the field Camp eats up double teams to make plays or is occupying offensive linemen allowing his linebackers stat piling stops play after play. At the end of the 2014 season the Braves compiled a 9-2 record with the defense only allowing an average of 9.09 points per game.
All eyes are on the Lakeland, Florida talent in anticipation on how well he will perform during his senior season. Perhaps more taxing than most games for Camp may actually be the daily grind in practice squaring off against offensive linemen teammates Baveon Johnson (Florida State) and Michael Wiggs.
In hopes of getting the inside scoop on Lake Gibson’s 2014 season, Camp’s offseason works and recruiting, and a look ahead to the Braves 2015 season we sat down for a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview.
Keyshon, the Braves had a great season last year finishing 9-2 with a ton of talent. Did the team have high expectations going into the year?
“Yes sir. We had a lot of great athletes at every level, our D-line, to our linebackers, and our secondary. Our O-line, running backs, quarterback, and wide receivers – we had skill players all over the field and guys who could make plays.”
How does Lake Gibson look heading into next year?
“Same thing, we’ve got players at every level that can make plays. We were kind of young last year. When this season comes they ain’t going to play like that, they’re going to play much older.”
What makes you a force as a defensive lineman?
“I have a good bull rush and a good push-pull. I’m good at stopping the run and I can go sideline to sideline.”
You’re constantly fighting through double-teams to make plays. They way you get push up the field and throw guys off, I have to know what is your bench and squat max?
“My bench max is 435 and my squat is 465.”
Wow. What was your best game last year in terms of stats? Was there one game that stood out to you?
“Largo, I had two sacks, 6 tackles for a loss, and I think I had 8 solo tackles.”
What individual honors did you earn at the end of last year?
“I was Third-Team All-State and First-Team All-County.”
What are your goals for the 2015 football season?
“My goals – my individual goals are to get 25 tackles for a loss. My team goal is to get deeper into the playoffs. Also, off the field, to be able to work on getting off the ball faster and work on my leverage down low when I come off the ball.”
What are you doing in the offseason to prepare for your senior year?
“Just lifting and working on my footwork, stuff like that. (I’m) just trying to get bigger, stronger, and faster.”
You have a lot of great offers from top schools, which schools that have offered you are showing the most interest in you?
“USC, UCLA, Oregon is jumping on too, also Miami and Kentucky.”
I can easily see you being a Leonard Williams (USC) type able to line up at defensive end or defensive tackle at the next level. Which schools are recruiting you to play end or tackle?
“Most of them are saying anywhere across the D-line from tackle to D-end.”
Which position do you prefer?
“Defensive end.”
What do the college coaches tell you they like about your game?
“My explosiveness off the ball, how I can go sideline to sideline. They like that I able to go to the outside and knowing that I can chase the play down.”
Have you come up with a list of favorite schools yet?
“No sir, I don’t.”
Do you have a timeframe when you may post your list of favorites?
“Probably before the season.”
What is your time frame on verbally committing?
“During the season, sometime after my official visits.”
Do you have an idea which schools will get your official visits?
“USC and UCLA.”
Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?
“Yes sir, I’ve been to Florida, Florida State, and I’m going to USC on June 24.”
Are you going to any one-day college camps this summer?
“Yes sir. Probably, most likely, but as of right now I’m not sure which school I’ll camp with.”
What will influence you most on where you will play your college ball?
“Loyalty and the coaches as well.”
Do you know what you want to major in while in college?
“Sports medicine or sports management.”
When you watch football on Saturdays and Sundays during the season which players do you enjoy watch play the game?
“I like Vic Beasley (Clemson – Atlanta Falcons), Ndamukong Suh (Miami Dolphins), and J.J. Watt (Houston Texans).”
What is your favorite part about playing football?
“My favorite part about playing football, it’s like another world. If you want to you can leave stuff outside from the classroom or home. The team, your teammates are like your brothers.”
Written by Ryan Wright
Photo credit: al.com; Keyshon Camp
Photo credit: polkcountyfootball.com; No. 97 Keyshon Camp
Photo credit: caneswarning.com; No. 97 Keyshon at practice