Interview: Texas 2017 APB Lazarus Fisher Defining Under the Radar Talent

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

There will always be players overlooked for one reason or another when it comes to recruiting. No matter how many under the radar recruits one comes across year after year, when the diamond in the rough emerges all you can do is shake your head and wonder why more teams have not caught on to the amazing talent coming off the highlight reel – I present to you Lazarus “Chance” Fisher.

Fisher is a silky smooth tailback pushing past defenders for Mesquite High School. The 5’9”, 180 pound, all-purpose back started blowing away Texas 6A talent as a sophomore ending the 2014 season with 924 yards on the ground with nine scores along with 170 yards in the passing game off 18 receptions with two more touchdowns.

Fisher really started to come into his own during his junior season tallying six- 100-yard games through nine games pushing his personal best to 1,267 yards. Over his 152 carries in 2015, he average 8.3 yards per carry finding pay dirt 17 times on the ground. He rounded out his game with 25 passes hauled in for 305 yards with two more touchdowns; the receptions and receiving yards were second best on the team. He flexed his 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash on special teams with nine kick returns covering 410 yards taking two back to the house for an instant six on the board.

Some colleges are aware of Fisher’s abilities, to date he has six offers in front of him from Air Force, Northwestern State, Army, McNeese State, Kentucky Christian, and Northern Iowa. Any offer is a great offer, but Fisher is certainly deserving of more offers.

Fisher’s speed is legit and not just a tall tale where numbers are rounded down for bragging rights. At the Nike Dallas Regional Opening this spring, Fisher dropped a 4.4-flat on one of the bigger camp stages in the nation.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Fisher to cover his junior season, off-season workouts, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Lazarus, you had an exceptional junior season. How do you feel about your junior year looking back?

“I was expecting more of myself. I started out slow. Throughout the season we got stronger as a team. We got more confident and all of us started playing better as the season went along.”

What are your expectations for your senior year?

“Honestly, I feel like this will be a great season. I think we will put on a show for everyone who comes to watch us.”

I think the opening highlight on your reel says it all. You picked up a 96-yard touchdown run like it was nothing. You have excellent speed, obviously. On top of your speed, what other skills do you bring to the field as a running back?

(Laughs) “I think what makes me different from other running backs is the gift from God with my vision. I see things others can’t see. God has given me the speed and talent to hit the hole and get into the end zone.”

Did you earn any individual honors at the end of your junior season?

“I was named first team All-District for special teams and won the Special Teams Player of the Year Award.”

You showed out on special teams last year, will you be on special teams again this year?

“Yes sir. This year I am on punt and kickoff return.”

What have you been working on this off-season?

“I mainly have been working on my conditioning and footwork. I know I have to carry the rock a lot this year. I have been getting my body in shape for that.”

What are your goals for the 2016 football season?

“My first goal is to come out and win the first game of the season. Of my personal goals, I plan on scoring as much as possible. I want 3,000 yards this year. I know its high, but with my line I think I can get it. We have good receivers to throw to opening up the field. It will be a great year for us.”

Did you go to any college camps this summer?

“I went to an OU (Oklahoma) camp and I went to a Sam Houston State satellite camp at our school.”

How did the OU camp go for you?

“It went well. I was rounding everyone up. Coaches said they really liked me but they have not reached out to me since the camp.”

At the Sam Houston camp, were there other colleges there working you guys out?

“Yes sir. OU, Kansas, Michigan, Arkansas, Florida, and some other schools that I cannot remember right now were all there.”

How did you perform at that camp?

“I did pretty well. There were a lot of coaches and a lot of players. I don’t think they were really looking at me during that camp.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I have six offers; Air Force, Army, McNeese State, Northwestern State, KCU (Kentucky Christian), and Northern Iowa.”

Nice. Are any other schools showing recruiting interest in you right now?

“Late last year SMU was showing interest but I am not aware of any other schools showing interest in me right now.”

When you have talked to the various college coaches, what are they telling you they like about your game?

“They are telling me they like my vision and they like the way I run north and south. Once I get to the hole I don’t tip toe, I hit it. I’ve received a lot of good feedback from coaches.”

How did your junior year end up in the classroom?

“I had a 3.33 GPA.”

Did you participate in any other sports for Mesquite?

“Yes sir. Last year I ran track. Before that I played basketball and track.”

Which events did you run in track?

“My events were the 100, 4×1, and 4×2.”

What was your best time in the 100?

“I think my fastest time was a 10.67.”

Nice. Last question, are there any games on the schedule that you are pumped to play this year?

“There are a couple of games I am excited to play. I am focused on all of them, but I am ready to play against Horn (Mesquite). They took our heart out last year when they beat us by one point (28-27). We have to get that payback this year.”

Lazarus, thanks for your time today and good luck with the season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: dallasnews.com; No. 24 Lazarus Fisher drags some defenders for more yards.

Photo credits: starlocalmedia.com; No. 24 Lazarus Fisher leaps over defenders; in the open field.