Rising Star Interview: Louisiana CB Antonio Kanonu making most of second chances at Arkansas Baptist JUCO

Written by Ryan Wright

 

Speed, moxie, and determination are all things Arkansas Baptist cornerback Antonio Kanonu has always possessed but did not always necessarily funnel in the right direction, until now. The former Louisiana recruit from who essentially missed out on his entire prep career at Northside High School for off the field issues is now a rising star in the college recruiting ranks after rededicating himself in the classroom and to the game he loves.

Kanonu’s talent was never in question seeing his stock rise through various camps and 7×7 tournaments during his high school days. In his own words he always thought grades would not matter as long as he was a gifted athlete, an old notion that athletes are given a pass as long as they produce results in their given sport. Kudos to the powers that be at Northside teaching Kanonu several life lessons setting him up to be the responsible and driven young man he is today… but he first had to fail in order to succeed and now he is succeeding all the way into Division-I football.

The Lafayette, Louisiana native has five scholarship offers extended from Utah State, UTEP, Western Kentucky, Troy, and University of Texas San Antonio. The interest building behind the offers for the 6’0”, 165 pound, cornerback is where things get really interesting. Programs like LSU, Texas, Texas A&M, Arizona State, Arkansas, Clemson, Georgia, Kentucky, Memphis, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, TCU, Tulane, Arkansas State, and Florida are all showing varying levels of interest building up to what could be a breakout redshirt freshman season for Kanonu.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I sat down with one of the top rising stars in the Class of 2016 from the JUCO ranks to get his background story, his journey to personal redemption, and how the recruiting frenzy is heating up for this largely unknown prospect.

 

Antonio, your journey is a unique considering how little you got to play during your high school career and now with the entire recruiting buzz centered on you. If you don’t mind walk me through your high school playing career.

“When I got to high school I was actually already one of the best players in the area. My grades from my freshman year were awful. From the first semester, in high school in Louisiana we do semesters sort of like college, my freshman year was horrible. I wasn’t going to class, things like that. It was me adjusting to high school, but then also getting into the wrong crowd. I didn’t even end up signing up for football which made the coaches upset because there was not much they could do in terms of the rules. First you have to have the grades to play in the fall to be eligible and I was never eligible to play. My senior year, I graduated, is when I blew up in the summer. I went to as many camps as I could. Think I went to at least 10 camps, and I also did the 7×7 circuit, so I blew up through the camp circuit. My 40 time, 7×7 tournaments, and stuff like that is how I blew up.”

I’m going to refer back to a couple of things you just said, but first, looking back to your high school days would you have done anything differently?

“Definitely, I feel like from freshman year if I would have come in with the mindset that I had to do something and I could have helped my high school team to maybe win a state championship or make a playoff appearance I would have come in with a different mentality rather than trying to fit in with everybody else. I would have come in and been different and tried to be a leader for my high school. I could have done a lot of things differently, going to class, handling my grades, and that way I could have played. Things could have been totally different. In a recruiting aspect, I never get a chance to go for a state championship. Never get a chance to anything all the high school athletes were able to do like The Opening (Nike).”

Along those same lines, what have you learned from what you went through in high school?

“I definitely learned that the first thing that matters is grades. When I went into high school I thought being athletic everything else would just fall into place. (Now) school comes before anything else. Grades are the most important thing that I learned I had to grasp first before anything else. Without grades you can’t play. I didn’t come into high school with that mindset. I came in with I was one of the best athletes in the area so grades are not going to matter. All of these different colleges are still going to want me but in the end I couldn’t do anything because of the grades.”

What is your 40-yard time?

“4.43.”

Is that hand-held or laser timed?

“Laser.”

How did Arkansas Baptist do last year?

“We finished the season 2-8 and got beat pretty bad by the Texas teams but I was not playing at that time. That’s what makes the story even better. Coming out of high school I was only 135 pounds. I sat out last year to get bigger.”

You sat out last year weighing 135 pounds and now weigh 165 pounds, how did you gain the weight?

“I spoke with different Division-I coaches about different meal plans. I did research about gaining weight and being in the weight room three times a day. Three times a day everyday and then doing a lot of eating. I also put myself on certain mass gainers to try to get bigger.”

If you don’t mind, breakdown that three times a day workout regiment for me.

“Basically, I go in the morning around 7 o’clock drink a protein shake and hit the gym. From there I go in and do treadmill cardio, but I did not do much cardio because I did a lot research on body building. There are certain types of training, bulking, cutting, I was trying to gain the weight so I should not do a lot of cardio because I’m trying to gain the weight not burn a lot of calories and lose the weight I was trying to gain. I would do a little bit of cardio, about 30 minutes, then do a lot of strength, bench pressing, squat, a lot of explosive workouts. Then in the afternoons I’ll go to the field and do some agility work. Then at night I would go in and work on dumbbells. It was not much of an intensity workout but enough for me to build a little bit of mass.”

That a whole lot of mass, 30 pounds. Since you’ve bulked up have you been timed in a 40-yard dash?

“I actually ran the 40 after I bulked up to see how I would match up and I ran a little bit better than I was supposed to. I ran a 4.42 but that was hand time not laser timed. I still figure it’ll be around the same thing. I was constantly still making sure my speed never got down through agility and cardio.”

You sat out last year but had a lot of time to learn the game. What all did you learn last year from the sidelines?

“Basically I learned from high school and college it’s a totally different level. The level of playing is much faster than the high school level. There is a lot more technique used than from what you learn in high school. In high school you are taught the beginnings in high school. In junior college it is a totally different level. The game time is way faster.”

How did spring ball go for you?

“I actually played cornerback, I’m being recruited as an athlete. I played cornerback I had two interceptions, four pass breakups, and two tackles. I felt like I did pretty good in the spring game because I think we have some really, really, good receivers.”

Some recruiting sites have you listed as being a wide receiver, are you playing any wide receiver this year?

“I didn’t play wide receiver in the spring game but during spring practices I lined up some at wide receiver. Basically what the coach is telling me it is what my preference is, what I choose to do. When I first went on the camp circuit I was at wide receiver. Then I went to the Arkansas State camp and they put me at DB and I did well. I started doing more camps at DB and now I am being recruited for both positions. If I had to choose I’d play cornerback.”

Arkansas Baptist played against Cisco last year. Their quarterback, Richard Lagow, is someone I have interviewed. Do you remember the Buffaloes game against them last year (lost 66-27)?

“I really don’t remember much. I do know that he’s a really good quarterback and he has knowledge of the game. I think this year he’ll have a few picks – against our defense. Basically I’m telling him I want him to test my side.”

What will be some of the strengths of the Arkansas Baptist team in 2015?

“This year our defense will be the strength of everything. I feel as though if our defense can capitalize on plays that we need to it’ll help our offense. We have exceptional receivers, I think we’ll be able to spread the ball a lot this year but I still feel our defense will be our biggest asset, from last year because our defense lacked in the secondary. This year I feel like our secondary is really strong.”

What are your strengths on the field at cornerback?

“Well, I still think I’m an undersized corner but I play as if I am a big corner. I play physical and I am a very good cover corner. I’m a ball hawk, so I am constantly looking for the ball.”

Since you redshirted last year you have four years to play four right?

“Right.”

Let’s talk a little bit about recruiting now. You have offers from Utah State, UTEP, Western Kentucky, Troy, and UTSA, what other schools are showing interest in you right now?

“Arizona State, Arkansas, Clemson, Georgia, Kentucky, Memphis, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, TCU, Tulane, and Florida. A lot of others have been in contact in the last few weeks. I’m going to try to start taking visits after the dead period.”

What are some of those schools?

“Florida State is one of the biggest schools that I am looking to take a visit to – also Ohio State and Michigan State. I’ve been talking to TCU as well. I’ve taken unofficial visits to Memphis, LSU, and Tulane. The schools that I am most interested in are Florida, Florida State, Michigan State, and also LSU and that is just because they’re basically known for their defense and defensive backs.”

How did your unofficial to LSU go?

“It went pretty well. I actually got to checkout the campus. They gave me a brief tradition of the defensive backs they have produced. I’ve been a long time fan of LSU so I knew about the tradition. They have awesome facilities, I like that a lot. Being close to home, that’s a big hit as well.”

How did the Memphis visit go?

“The Memphis visit went okay. It was a game day visit. It was an awesome experience because it was a game they needed the win to get into a bowl game. They really did show me a good time over there. They had an awesome crowd. The whole atmosphere was pretty good.”

What are some of the other schools you want to go visit?

“I’m actually trying to set up a few official visits. I think my first official visit is going to be Arizona State. I feel like they’re a top team, a team on the rise. I feel like I could go there and make a big difference and make an impact. So I want to take a visit there. I also want to take a visit to Texas Tech and Texas A&M.”

Being in the state of Arkansas, are the Razorbacks recruiting you at all?

“Yes. They were the first school that started recruiting me. I actually have a good relationship with Coach Franks, their recruiting director. Me being in Arkansas for this last junior college season, I’ll be able to stay in contact with them and Arkansas State. They will be two big schools that I’ll stay in contact with.”

Have you had a chance to go from Little Rock up to Fayetteville yet?

“I haven’t yet. I was supposed to schedule a visit a couple of moths ago but the scheduling didn’t work. I’m going to try to get up there for one of the games. If not I’m going to try to take a visit before our season starts.”

What is your time frame on making a decision on when you will verbally commit?

“I’m thinking I’m going to come close to a decision in December. That’s around my time frame, December or after. A little bit after the season. That way I can take some of my official visits sit down and see what I’m going to do. I do have the five schools in mind that are actually going to get my official visits.”

What are your five schools that will get your official visits?

“Arizona State is going to get one of my officials, Michigan State, Ohio State, TCU, and Texas.”

Texas not Texas A&M? You didn’t mention Texas earlier.

“Right.”

What are the main factors you will consider in choosing a college?

“I think education is the No. 1 factor. The atmosphere with the fan base and the student base, also my relationship with the coaches, and being on the campus and feeling at home, those are basically my biggest factors. Me feeling at home on the campus.”

Are you doing any showcases during the offseason?

“I’m done. I actually just finished the Arkansas State camp a week ago. I’m done with camps the rest of the summer. Now I am going back on campus June 28 and start my summer school session. I’m trying to be a mid-year transfer. So I’m going to try to take as many classes as I can and workout with the team.”

How did the Arkansas State camp go for you?

“The Arkansas State camp actually went really well. I didn’t run there. I did the broad jump. I did well in drills and one-on-ones. Overall the camp was a success for me.”

What was your broad jump?

“My board jump was 9’2”. I felt it wasn’t how it should be. I wasn’t going to go to the camp because I had an ankle problem, that’s why I didn’t run the forty. I did hear back from them after the camp. I’m actually going to their first home game against Missouri. It won’t be official, it’ll be unofficial but I’ll be on campus for that game.”

I don’t know Arkansas State’s full schedule off the top of my head but I know they start the season off with USC then they have to play Missouri. That’s a tough schedule to start the year.

“That first game is against USC. I know their first home game is against Missouri. That’s supposed to be one of their big games at home at least. So I’m going to check that one out.

“I am going to try to get up to USC as well. I’m not sure about an official but I’m trying to get up there for an unofficial visit and check it out, them and UCLA. USC and UCLA are two other schools that I’m interested in. I’m going to try to do unofficials to.”

Are there any other west coast schools that have been in touch with you?

“To be honest, all of the California schools have pretty much been in contact with me. I’m interested in UCLA a lot. They’re a top team and on the rise as well. I feel like I could make an impact there. USC is another place where I could make a big impact as well. Another place I would like to visit is Oregon. Oregon is in the loop but just on the outside.”

When you enroll at a four-year school do you know what you want to major in while there?

“Marketing.”

How is your GPA looking at Arkansas Baptist?

“My grades have made a tremendous jump from high school. Being in JUCO, that I have to be there, I put it to my mind the only reason I am there is because of the mistakes I’ve made. I’ve put everything straight towards my grades that way I will not have any issues when it’s time to go to a Division-I school. My GPA is a 3.0 I’m trying this semester to maintain a 3.5. I feel like I am capable of doing so. In high school I was capable of doing it but that was me just not applying myself. Now that I am there and I have to be there I am applying myself more in football and grades wise.”

You’ve been through a lot and you’ve matured a lot from your early years in high school, have you had an experience that has inspired your football career?

“I think the biggest experience that inspires me to keep going, I feel like I’ve received opportunities that other football players have not received. Sometimes I feel as though I did not deserve it because there are other people that did the things they were supposed to do. I choose the wrong path but I got back on the right track. I feel like my experiences in the past is what inspires me to keep going now. I went on the wrong path and somehow I’m back on the right path and I’m doing things that kids are not doing who are still on the wrong path.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“Competing. I’m a very competitive person. I feel like football is the most competitive sport. I like to be physical. Being able to be physical on the field is great. I also feel that football creates a brotherhood. There are other sports that create a brotherhood but football creates the biggest brotherhood.”

 

Any sport at any level is chalked full of feel good stories seeing different competitors rise above various obstacles be it physical, mental, and sometimes even bad outside influences. Sometimes all of the obstacles laid out in front of each of us is just us getting in our own way. For Kanonu he appears to have shed his old ways opting for a better life relying not just on his physical skills but embracing being a true student athlete.

Regardless of how the 2015 season goes for Kanonu one gets the idea that through whatever adversity he will keep his head up, be a leader, both on the field and in the classroom, and keep fighting for what he believes is his destiny, playing Division-I football.

 

Photo credit: Antonio Kanonu