Pine Bluff, Arkansas DE John Tate Talks about Going for a Two-Peat in 2015

Written by Ryan Wright

When the 2015-2016 high school seasons officially begin, Pine Bluff defensive end John Tate has a rare opportunity on his hands. The big 6’4”, 270 pound, athlete could actually go back-to-back in both football and basketball winning a total of four state championships during his high school career.

Winning a state basketball championship is impressive but make no mistake, Tate’s future is on the collegiate gridiron more so than the college hardwoods. The proof is in the scholarship offers. To date Tate has 11 offers with teams like Louisville, Arizona State, Arkansas State, Cal, Houston, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Monroe, Ole Miss, South Alabama, Boise State, and Purdue all extending offers.

What makes the offer sheet a little more impressive, the Arkansas native did not go to one college camp this summer. A not so bold assumption is he could have upped his offer total if he wanted to by hitting up a few more camps.

Tate’s stat line does not overwhelm after posting 39 tackles with 14 tackles for a loss, and 7 sacks. But one must also consider teams ran away from him all season, he was constantly double-teamed or chipped, and for four games he was a true two-way player filling in at offensive tackle for the Zebras.

Watching Tate’s highlight reel one understands quickly why all the offers have been extended. Tate is athletic, quick for his size, and a hard hitter. He also has a couple of moves at his disposal but uses his raw strength bull rushing linemen snap after snap to create chaos in opposing backfields.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I sat down with Tate before Pine Bluff’s fall camp begins to get his thoughts on going back-to-back in football, what he did during the offseason to prepare for his senior year, and get a recruiting update on the 4-star ESPN rated recruit.

Interview
You’re entering your third-year as a starter, looking back over your evolution as a player from your sophomore year as you head into your senior year, how far have you grown as a player?

“My first game my sophomore year I wasn’t as strong so I used my speed to my advantage. I got stronger in the weight room and a little faster too. This year I’m stronger and faster. I’m going to play hard and use my strength and my speed to get past the tackle and have another great year and win a championship again.”

Pine Bluff finished 12-3 last year winning an Arkansas State Championship. What was something you learned from that experience and maybe about yourself from the 2014 season?

“When the season started weren’t playing as we should have. We were making a lot of mistakes and we were not as focused as we should have been. We lost two non-conference games one to Northside (26-15) and one to North Little Rock (45-24). We won six in a row and then lost our last home game of the season to Benton (39-36).

“In practice we were focused in the game we just lost focus. We let them beat us. Going into the playoffs we ended up beating Siloam Spring (41-7), then Jonesboro (35-24), and then beat Benton (51-10) in the state championship game. We were more focused and more disciplined. We just wanted to win bad. We had lost to them three years before that so we finally got them last year.

“I guess the takeaway is you have to be more focused and trust your teammates. If everyone does their job right on defense and offense and we have to have all of our players focused you can win.”

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

“I was All-Conference and All-State first team.”

Have you had a chance to look at the 2015 schedule yet and if so is there a game or two you are excited to play already?

“Yes sir. I know the schedule by heart. I can’t wait to play that first game against Northside. They beat us last year and we tied against the them first year. They have a good team. If we win that game it will help carry us through the season. We have to come out strong and show them we’re not going to lie down. The other game I’m ready for is North Little Rock. We haven’t beaten them in three years. We get them at home this year. Our fans are going to be loud. It’s going to be a great game to come watch.”

You talked a little bit about your strength and speed earlier, so I’m guessing that will be part of your answer to my next question. What are your strengths on the field as a defensive lineman? Is that what you would consider the strength of your game?

“Yes sir. I can read the down blocks. I know how to read quick. I know how to use my strength and speed to my advantage. I can use my speed to go around them or use my strength to get past them.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“My goals are to be a better player than last year. I want to have more fun. I want to improve on last year and get more sacks and more tackles. I missed a lot of sacks and tackles last year not playing hard. I’ve got to do the little things right and the big things will come.”

Will we see you lined up anywhere else other than defensive line this year?

“Last year, in the second game of the season (Northside), my teammate broke a bone in his foot. I had to play tackle for four games. This year we have some depth on our offensive line so I may not have to play tackle. I might play some tight end. Tight end, D-tackle, and D-end are the positions I’ll play this year.”

Do you have pretty good hands if they start throwing you the ball?

“Yes sir. I caught one touchdown pass last year but I was wide open. I think I’m pretty good.”

What have you been doing in the offseason to prepare for your senior year?

“I’ve been hitting the weight room more. We are stronger than last year. I see a lot of improvement in me and in my teammates. We’ve been doing a lot of conditioning. We’re ready for the season. We’ve been working on technique and our footwork. We’ve been focused more this year than last year on doing the little stuff.”

You have an impressive list of 11 offers. What schools are showing interest in you but have not offered you yet?

“Mississippi State and LSU.”

Is Arkansas showing any interest in you?

“No.”

Did you go to any camps this year?

“No sir, they are not.”

Have you released a list of your top schools yet?

“Yes. My top schools are Louisiana Tech, Boise State, Louisville, Ole Miss, and Cal.”

Are those the five schools that will get your official visits?

“I may change a school or two but those are my Top 5 right now.”

Have you set any dates for your official visits yet?

“Not yet. I’ll have to sit down and talk to my parents about that one. We’ll get together and set all of my visits.”

What type of feedback have you received from these colleges about your playing abilities? What are they telling you they like about your game?

“They like how I use my hands. They like that I’m a big guy and they know that I’ll get bigger. They like my size, my hands, and my ability to get to the quarterback.”

Because of your size, are some of the schools recruiting you at defensive end or defensive tackle?

“Boise State is talking about using me at defensive tackle but they are the only school.”

Do you have a time frame on when you’ll make a verbal commitment?

“My mom and dad want me to commit later. I wanted to commit before school started but they don’t want me to commit and then decommit from a school if I change my mind. They want me to stay loyal to a school. So I don’t know when the commitment date will be but I’ll do it on my birthday on Jan. 3 if I haven’t done it already.”

What are the main factors that will influence you when the time comes to commit to a school?

“My parents really don’t care where I go. They just want me to stay loyal to a team and get somewhere I can play early. Education is important. My parents want me to get my diploma. Playing time but working is not a problem for me, I’ll work hard. Education, playing time, and the coaches are the most important.”

Are there any college players that you would watch to learn more about the game and maybe incorporate some of their game into your own?

“I used to watch Jadeveon Clowney when he was at South Carolina. Last year the person I watched was Vic Beasley, from Clemson. I liked how he played.”

Do you play any other sports for Pine Bluff?

“I played basketball.”

Do you remember your stat line from basketball?

“No sir. I was more of a body out there but we did win state in basketball.”

Impressive that you won state in both basketball and football in the same year.

“Thank you.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“My parents, they’re on me after a good or a bad game. If I have a good game they’ll congratulate me but then tell me what I could have done better.”

What has been your most memorable moment in high school football so far?

“The moment when we won the state championship game. We finally got over that hump. We went to state a couple of times but didn’t win it. Winning state last year in the playoffs was so surreal.”

What is your favorite part about playing football?

“Just being a part of the team and playing with my brothers. I grew up with two sisters, the brotherhood we have has help me be a better person. I just like football.”

Photo credit: irishsportsdaily.com; No. 9 John Tate on the field for Pine Bluff
Photo credit: scout.com; No. 9 John Tate
Photo credit: wholehogsports.com; No. 9 John Tate lines up with his teammates