Texas 2017 Cy-Fair 4-Star OT Austin Deculus Updates Recruiting and Offseason Workouts

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

If more offensive linemen got into the practice of recruiting collusion, the 2016 recruiting class would be a great year to start upping the trend for a dominating team in the near future. Throughout the country, next season’s senior class is full of top shelf offensive line talent, especially at the tackle spots. No matter if a college is looking for an agile pass set tackle, a road grading run blocking mauler, or a solid mix of both, those types of elite future All-Conference guys are out there. One of them is Cy-Fair tackle Austin Deculus.

Fans need to watch which recruiting site information is pulled from on any given recruit. One site has Deculus with a low in-the-teens scholarship offer amount when in fact he has 32. The 6’6”, now 325 pound, behemoth left tackle is pretty much atop or near the top of every college’s recruiting board wish list as a wanted/needed addition to the 2017 class. The offers that have come in includes Notre Dame, Arkansas, Tennessee, Miami, Houston, Cal, Nebraska, TCU, Texas, USC, Washington, Michigan State, UCLA, Northwestern, and Utah, just to name a few. The previously announced Top 5 for Deculus, in no order, is LSU, Alabama, Michigan, Georgia, and Baylor.

For the readers out there still unsure how to take Deculus or the name Cy-Fair does not ring a bell, it should. The Houston area team is one of the more consistently winning programs in the Lone Star State producing next level talent year after year. Deculus has been starting since his sophomore season helping the Bobcats post a 15-9 win-loss record over those two seasons. In addition to the top talent he faced week after week on Friday Nights, Deculus also got to go against Bobcats defensive tackle teammate Ross Donelly early in his career, a Class of 2015 Ole Miss signee.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I got a few minutes of time with Deculus during his spring break to cover his junior season, offseason workouts, and his recruitment to date.

Interview

Austin, you have two years of starting experience against tough Texas talent. What are your strengths on the field at offensive tackle?

“My strength on the field is my aggression, footwork, leadership along the offensive line, my tenacity, and I know how to turn that little switch on to get things going.”

What about from a technical standpoint with your blocking like your pass set, getting to the second level, stuff like that?

“I’d say that compared to my sophomore, my junior year pass set has gotten better. I’m leaning back better and I’m still able to punch with force. I’m working on getting to second level better. I can get there well now but I’m learning to slow down. I go a little too quickly. Sometimes I go past the person. I’ve learned how to do that a lot better. Run blocking – me against a defensive lineman I’m pretty good at it.”

What honors do you earn at the end of your junior season?

“I was All-District, Academic All-District, and Greater Houston All-Area. Sadly I did not get All-State, Greg Little (Allen High School, 5-star Ole Miss 2016 signee) got it. I was selected as an Under Armour All-American. I’ll be playing in that game my senior year. Great way to finish my high school football. I went to their Future 50 camp. It was awesome.”

You mentioned some of the things you are working on like getting to the second level quickly but slowing down to make the block. What else are you working on this offseason?

“I’m always working on getting my strength up. You can never be too strong. I want to excel and be the best I can be. I’m working on my muscle stamina. I’d say I’m working more on getting to second level and slowing down instead of throwing my body at someone so I can get my hands on them and maul them.”

I like that. What is your bench press and squat max at right now?

“I like to keep that under wraps. When I go up against a defender I let them feel my strength.”

I like that response too. What are some of your goals for your senior year?

“My goals are to keep on the tradition of going to the playoffs. We have been every year since I have been with the team and 2015 was the team’s seventh consecutive year to make the playoffs. I want to keep that tradition going. From a personal standpoint, I’d say getting myself ready for the next level.”

How does Cy-Fair look heading into next season? Do you guys have the talent to make it to the playoffs again in 2016?

“It depends on the heart of a team if you have a shot at the playoffs. Do you have a family unit or a sense of it? Overall we are young. If we have a good spring that will become the kick start to something great. We have the talent to make it to the playoffs for sure. At the end of my senior year I do not want to rack my pads after Game 10.”

Will you take on additional roles next year for Cy-Fair? Will we see you at fullback plowing open holes on short yardage plays or see you at defensive tackle?

“I don’t know if they’d line me up at fullback. It would fun if they did. I played a little bit of guard this past year. We had a smaller guy playing guard in 2015. When we were going up against bigger defensive tackles our coach would put big body vs. big body. We have a new kid coming in. He’s a big kid. I’ll more than likely stay at offensive tackle, maybe some at tight end on certain packages.”

As a pass catching tight end?

(Laughs) “No just blocking. I wish. I’ll be on field goal block again and maybe on goal line as a defensive tackle.”

You don’t need to go for exposure, but are you going to any college camps this summer?

“No sir.”

Are you going to any exposure camps?

“I’m going to a Rivals camp and the Nike Opening regional in Houston.”

I’ve seen different sites report different amount of offers for you. How many offers do you have right now?

“I have 32.”

Have you posted a Top 10 or Top 5 list?

“I have. My Top 5 right now, in no order, is LSU, Alabama, Michigan, Georgia, and Baylor.”

What are some of the influential factors for you when breaking down the different schools?

“I’d say having a good major. I’m looking for a school with a good kinesiology program, that’ll be my major. I’d say the coaching staff has to feel at home or like a long lost relative type to me. I have to feel comfortable on campus. When it comes to deciding where to spend the next three or four years of my life, I want to be somewhere I am content and comfortable. I don’t want to be in my dorm room wishing I was at home.”

Have you set a date for your verbal commitment?

“May 20. That is the date of our spring game.”

Which schools have you taken unofficial visits to so far?

“I’ve taken unofficial visits to LSU, Alabama, Georgia, Baylor, Tennessee, UH (Houston), and (Texas) A&M. That’s it. I’m thinking about going to Michigan this spring if I have time but I don’t know yet.”

How did the LSU visit go for you?

“I have a lot family, from my dad’s side, in Louisiana. I loved the campus, it was nice. All the campuses I’ve visited were nice. I liked all of them. I liked that visit a lot. The coaching staff there is one of the best.”

How did your visit to Baylor go?

“I’ve been to Baylor a couple of times for camps and practices. I really like the campus.”

How did your visit to Georgia go?

“Athens is nice, I liked it a lot. The coaching staff when I was there was Coach Richt. I know it’s changed. They no longer have Coach (Rob) Sale. They have the Arkansas offensive line coach (Sam Pittman). I had a chance to meet him for about three minutes. The campus is really nice. I like how that is set up.”

Outside of football, are you playing any other sports for Cy-Fair?

“I throw the discus.”

What is your best distance tossed?

“In practice, two weeks ago I hit 192. In meets I’ve been throwing around 175. My PR (personal record) last year was 183.1. I know I can pass that with ease this year. I’ve only been able to compete in two events this year because of schedule conflicts.”

Have you taken your ACT or SAT yet?

“I took my SAT on March 5. I don’t know my score yet.”

Last question. What is your favorite part of playing football?

“Representing my family name. Being able to represent my last name and where it comes from. On the field, this may sound bad but, being able to manhandle the people in front of you. With my family name, I just want to represent it well, show it off to everybody, and do justice to the name. It’s an awesome last name, I’m not going to lie. I’m trying to make people remember it.”

Austin, thanks for your time today. Good luck with your announcement on May 20.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Deculus family; Austin at LSU with head coach Les Miles

Photo credit: Deculus family; Austin at Baylor with head coach Art Briles

Photo credit: vype.com; Austin throwing the discus.