Weekly Interview Series: 3-Star 2019 LB Kendall Young Previews Showdown Against No. 4 Bryant
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Kendall Young Profile
Height and Weight: 6-5, 215
Position: Linebacker
Classification: 2019
Recruiting Ranking: 3-Star
High School: Bentonville West – Bentonville, Arkansas – 7A West
2018 Wolverines Record: 0-2
2018 Stats (2 games): 25 tackles, 14 solo, and one sack
2017 Wolverines Record: 9-3
2017 Stats (10 games): 85 tackles, 55 solo, 17 tackles for a loss, 13 sacks, one interception, five passes defended, and one forced fumble
Announced Top 3 Schools: Arkansas, Vanderbilt, and Missouri – on July 30
Offers (13): Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana Tech, Tulsa, Southeast Missouri, Army, Texas State, Tulane, Rice, Louisiana-Lafayette, Princeton, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas State
Interest: Arizona State, Oregon State, Baylor
Unofficial Visits Taken: Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt (camp), and Memphis
Planned Official Visits: Arkansas, Vanderbilt, and Missouri (no order)
This is the third interview of a weekly series with the three-star linebacker that will run throughout the season. Young and I covered the Fort Smith Southside game in Week 2 with a quick preview of Bentonville West’s Week 3 game against No. 4 Bryant.
*Click link for Week 2 RNG game preview with Kendall Young
Interview
Kendall, you had another big game in the stat column with 13 total stops and a sack, how did the game against Southside go for you personally?
“I felt like I played a lot better than I did against Owasso. I got to the QB (Taye Gatewood) a couple of times. I did well with my tackling and I was more aggressive. We did not play well on defense, that is on me. We have to play better as a team in our next game.”
How did their offense attack you guys in the box?
“They ran a lot of inside zone and straight up the middle. They had a good running back (Ricardo Savoy). I feel like we underestimated him. Our coach told us to watch out for the quarterback, but their running back was really good too.”
Which aspects of your skillset were you able to showcase?
“I showed my aggressiveness. I was flying around and made plays on the backside when they were going to the other side. I was attacking the QB. He was rolling out to the left, when I was on the right – I showcased my speed tracking him down.”
You guys get another tough game this Friday against No. 4 Bryant (1-0), what are you expecting from their offense?
“This will be a tough game. We watched a lot of film on them. They have a good offensive line, a good QB (Ren Hefley, and a good running back (Latavion Scott). Our coach said this is one of the best teams in the state. We might be missing our QB and WR (Jadon Jackson ankle) this week, but we will give it all that we have against Bryant.”
Switching to recruiting. When college coaches call you, what are some of the topics they bring up in conversation?
“They talk about my individual performance and my goals. They will ask, ‘what are you trying to do to make the team better’; that is what Coach (Derek) Mason (Vanderbilt head coach) just asked before our interview. He wanted to know how I am leading the team through adversity.”
Have you talked to any other coaches since we spoke last week?
“Not over the phone just back and forth over text.”
Last we spoke, you were heading to Arkansas for the Razorbacks season opener, how did that go?
“I was not able to go. I wanted too long to fill out the questionnaire needed for a ticket.”
Maybe next time. Any new news on the recruiting trail, offers or new interest?
“No, but I might be committing next weekend.”
That’s exciting news. Good luck with the decision process and good luck this week against Bryant.
“Thank you.”
2018 Bentonville West Schedule
Week 1 – at Owasso (56-40 loss)
Week 1 stats – 12 tackles, seven solo (44-31 loss)
Week 2 – vs. Fort Smith Southside
13 tackles, seven solo, and a sack
Week 3 – vs. No. 4 Bryant
Week 4 – bye
Week 5 – at Fayetteville
Week 6 – vs. Springdale
Week 7 – vs. Rogers
Week 8 – at Har-Ber (Springdale)
Week 9 – at Rogers Heritage
Week 10 – vs. Van Buren
Week 11 – at Bentonville
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Photo credit: Bentonville West HS; No. 24 Kendall Young