One to Watch: Vista Murrieta 2018 WR Khalil Shakir Emerging as a Top California All-Purpose Recruit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The 2018 recruiting class maybe an afterthought to college football fans and the respective coaches staffing the top Division-I programs but special attention should be centered on Khalil Shakir. The rising Vista Murrieta High School talent already had the speed and playmaking abilities as a sophomore to warrant a Pac-12 scholarship offer.

Shakir is a 5’11”, 170 pound, blur of frenetic abilities on the field shifting from one spot to the next making one defensive back after the next miss. The trouble for opposing California defensive coordinators, how do you bottle Shakir up to slow him down? He is a one-cut, back up to full-speed, and gone kind of talent.

The Broncos used him in several different capacities placing a lot of responsibilities upon his shoulders regardless of his school classification. Shakir responded with a team-leading 46 receptions for 914 yards with 10 touchdowns. Working on primarily receiver toss sweeps and reverses, he added another 215 yards and two scores off 14 carries in the ground game. Another eye popping stat the sophomore dropped on the opposition before they wised up, he had seven kickoff returns for 317 yards. That’s a 45 yard per return average.

One Division-I program has jumped at the chance to try to bring Shakir’s talents to the next level, Colorado. The other schools showing interest right now are Purdue, Utah, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and UNLV. Once the exposure camp and college camp circuits have been completed, expect the list of offers and interests to grow quickly.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the Murrieta area product to go over his sophomore campaign, offseason workouts, and emerging recruiting interests.

Interview

Khalil, you and quarterback Karson Greeley made an excellent one-two punch last season. How did the two of you build that relationship?

“Karson transferred in late, I did not start throwing late until summer workouts. But after our summer morning workouts we’d throw and work on our routes and timing.”

Karson is coming back next season right?

“Yes sir. We should be good.”

How does the team look heading into next year?

“We look good but we are still looking for a new head coach. We’re focused on that right now. When it is time to go into the season we will be fine.”

You killed it as a kick returner last year.

“I was primarily a backup. I should get more opportunities this year.”

How many touchdowns did you have last year?

“I had 14 total touchdowns, I think I had two kickoff returns for touchdowns.”

Did you earn any individual honors last year?

“Just second team All-League.”

Just? That is still impressive.

“Thank you.”

You played some during your freshman year didn’t you?

“Yes.”

You’ve had a little time at the varsity level now. What are some of the things you think you do well as a wide receiver?

“I have good hands and I’ve been working on my routes. When the ball is in the air I go up and get it. I’ve been working on my explosion off the ball but I feel that once the ball is in my hands I do well.”

You mentioned working on your explosion out of cuts or breaks, what else are you working on in the offseason to improve upon before your junior year?

“My routes and my cuts after I get the ball. Just trying to be more explosive.”

What are your goals for the 2016 season?

“My goals are to be over 1,200 yards receiving. On special teams to have at least four punt returns for a touchdown and four kick returns for a touchdown. I had 46 receptions last season I want 55 this season.”

With a new head coach coming in, tough to know exactly how that coach will use you. You had some carries last year though, would you like to get some coming straight out of the backfield?

“I like running the ball but that is not my thing. I’d like to play on both sides of the ball next year, play some safety and slot.”

Are you going to any camps coming up that are already on the schedule?

“I’m going to the Nike regional on Feb. 28 and in March I’m going to a Rivals camp. After that I’m planning on going to the National Underclassmen Camp.”

Do you have any college camps lined up?

“No. I have not started looking into that yet.”

You have one offer right now –

“Yes, from Colorado.”

Which schools are showing interest in you?

“I’ve talked to Utah, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Purdue and a couple of other schools that I can’t think of right now.”

Are the different college coaches coming by the school to meet with you?

“Yeah. The last couple of weeks I have been called out of class to meet with coaches. Utah, Nebraska, and some of the schools I just mentioned. Oh, one of the more recent schools was Oregon. That was a week or two ago.”

Are you playing any spring sports for Vista Murrieta?

“No. Right now I am focused on my grades and my offseason workouts.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“Just being out there in front of the crowd, the excitement on the field, and being part of a family.”

Khalil, thanks for your time today. Good luck with the upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: myvalleynews.com; No. 12 Khalil Shakir gets a stiff-arm for extra yardage.

Photo credit: beta.pe.com; No. 12 Khail Shakir gets on the outside.

Photo credit: murrieta247.com; No. 12 Khalil Shakir breaks a 58-yard touchdown play.