Interview: Texas 2018 OLB Grayson Mann Gives Insight on Northwestern Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: RyanWrightRNG
Over the last two seasons All Saints Episcopal High School has been one of the toughest 4A football teams in the state of Texas. The Saints have posted 18 wins against just three losses over the duration with outside linebacker Grayson Mann doing all that he can to ensure success for his team on the field. The Saints have Mann for one more season in 2017 but as of an announced commitment on April 7, the Northwestern Wildcats will get Mann’s services in college adding his play making abilities and determination to win onto their roster.
Mann made people take notice of him on the gridiron during his sophomore season putting an end to 58 plays with 14 tackles for a loss and nine sacks. His follow up performance in 2016 showed the productive outside linebacker was consistent in his role adding 60 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and one interception to his stat sheet.
As one could imagine college scouts game around Fort Worth wanting to know more about the Saints 6-1, 220 pound, talent. Teams to offer Mann included Nebraska, Rice, Colorado State, Harvard, Texas-San Antonio, North Texas, Indiana, and Air Force with squads like Baylor, UCLA, TCU, Cal, Stanford, and Oklahoma showing reported signs of interest. The teams slow playing Mann missed out. On April 1, Mann and his parents took an unofficial visit to Northwestern finding his fit on the field with a Power Five Conference team and in the classroom with a high achieving academic university.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the three-star Class of 2018 recruit to get the inside scoop on his commitment to Northwestern.
Interview
Grayson, first, congratulations on your commitment to Northwestern.
“Thank you.”
You visited campus on April 1. Obviously it went well but in your own words how did it go?
“It was a really eye opening experience for my family and me. It did not just go well we were blown away. The staff and alumni – the support system is unbelievable there. The alumni come to all the practices and introduce themselves to the recruits. It seemed like a very welcoming place.”
What all did you do during your visit?
“When I got there, I went straight to talk to my position coach and my area recruiter. We got to sit in meetings with our position coach. After that we went to practice and talked to their academic support staff. I spoke with Coach (Pat) Fitzgerald (head coach) for a while and that night I stayed with Paddy Fisher (linebacker from Katy, Texas) overnight in the dorm.”
What influenced you to commit to Northwestern announcing on Friday?
“Being on the sidelines on Saturday, the alumni coming up to introduce themselves letting me know how much they support the program. That really spoke to me. I don’t know any other place that has that. The staff has been there for 12 years. That is the longest in college football. Coach Pat Fitzgerald as a head coach is a great thing.”
When did you actually commit to the staff?
“I committed Thursday morning but I announced Friday night.”
Why the delay?
“I knew it would be busy on my end as far as communicating with people on Twitter. I did not want to be the center of attention at school on Thursday and I had a track meet on Friday. I posted it after the track meet.”
How did the track meet go?
“It went well. I ran an 11.9 in the 100 and I threw the shotput 43.5 feet.”
Back to the meat and potatoes of your commitment. How did you commit to Northwestern?
“On Wednesday I kind of let Coach (Matt) McPherson (running backs coach and recruiting coordinator), he is my area recruiter, know what was going to happen. I let my position coach know too, Coach (Randy) Bates. I asked Coach Fitzgerald for a time to talk. On Thursday morning my parents and I went to my head coaches’ office and made the call. I committed then.”
What was the reaction of Coach Fitzgerald when you committed?
“He screamed for about a minute on the phone. He seemed very-fired up for it as were we.”
How did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed?
“I can get stressed sometimes, but surprisingly after I made the decision I felt no sense of regret. I knew it was the best decision I ever made. I felt really easy afterwards.”
Do you plan on recruiting other players to join you?
“Absolutely. Northwestern seems like a second home to Texas kids. I want to get my Texas buddies on it.”
Do you have any specific players in mind?
“I’ll wait for the coaching staff to tell me who to contact and go from there.”
How are you going to pitch the other players to join you?
“Basically, the reality. If they do this I will let them know about the academics and the 1510 SAT average at Northwestern. The school is a great place. The atmosphere is very good. We can win some Big Ten titles and some national championships when we are there.”
Grayson, again, congratulations on your commitment to Northwestern and good luck with your continued off-season workouts.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Mann family; Grayson Mann at Northwestern.