Interview: West Des Moines Valley 2017 DL Bedale Naba Sharpening Skills for Senior Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Ascending up the ranks in any sport takes more than just talent, determination, and physical ability. It also takes a coach or a decision maker that believes in said person. Sometimes all the traits that embody a top athlete – talent, determination, and physical ability, is not enough to win over next level decision makers. Bedale Naba is on his way to winning over his doubters.

Naba was a force up front for West Des Moines Valley High School in 2015 playing defensive tackle. Exact stats were not kept, but suffice to say that Naba more than held his own helping the Tigers to a 10-3 mark. Naba is fast, strong, and gets after it on defense dominating the opposition during his junior year at a listed 6’0.5”, 270 pounds.

Next level college coaches cringe when they see a defensive tackle listed anywhere around 6’1” based on prototypical wants for the position. Coaches may cringe a little more knowing that he has dropped down to 255 in the off-season adding a little more speed to his game. Depending on which way college coaches see him at the next level, they could hope that he grows an inch or two and keep him at tackle or realize that he has all the tools to be a strongside defensive end at the next level.

No matter who gets Naba come National Signing Day, the 2017 recruit is a gamer and more than ready to showcase his skill set for college coaches throughout his senior season. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Naba before the Tigers start their fall camp to get an update on his off-season workouts, a quick team preview, and a recruiting news update.

Interview

Bedale, which college camps did you attend this summer?

“I went to UNI (Northern Iowa), NIU (Northern Illinois), Northwest Missouri State, South Dakota, and Illinois State.”

Which camp did you turn in your best performance?

“I’d say either UNI or Illinois State. I’ll say UNI.”

What did you do well at the UNI camp?

(Laughs) “I didn’t lose. I dominated the competition pretty well. I may have lost once or twice. I got a lot of one on one attention from their DL coach, Coach (Bryce) Paup. I performed all my drills well. I had a solid camp.”

Did you take any visits this summer?

“No. I was busy with football camps and football all summer. I was gone a lot with my family too. I was hoping to get some visits in before the season starts. I’ve talked to some coaches who are wanting me to come up for a game or a visit, but there are no dates confirmed yet.”

With the drop in weight, did the coaches keep you at tackle or nose guard during the camps or move you to end?

“No, I stayed at nose guard or tackle. I did just as fine.”

Are the West Valley coaches moving you to defensive end this year with the weight loss?

“No defensive end for me this year, mostly nose.”

Did you run a 40-yard dash at any of the camps this year and if so what was your best time?

“I went from a 5-flat to a 4.82. I was really happy about that and the weight loss helped.”

What have you done to drop the extra weight?

“Mostly I’ve been focusing on stop eating Doritos and exercising more. I’ve done all the team conditioning and weight lifting this off-season too. I’m bigger and faster now.”

Have you maxed out on any of your lifts this summer?

“We’re doing that this week actually. My hand-clean was 380 and my bench was 370.”

What are you shooting for on squat?

“We decided to not back squat me. I do front squats so I don’t mess with my hip flexors. Since I’ve changed from back to front I’ve been faster. I’m hoping I will do 3 plates and 25 pounds (365).”

What have you been working on during the off-season?

“A lot of times my friends and I will go out to the stadium to work. I’ve been working on my hands, swiping o-line hands away, staying low and being agile.”

What have you improved upon that will be a new asset to your game your senior year?

“I feel like I have gotten a lot better with my hands. I have gotten faster and lighter on my feet. I’m shiftier now.”

Which schools have offered you so far?

“I have an offer from Wayne State.”

When do you guys start fall camp?

“We start next week. Our first day we are in helmets and after a couple of practices we’ll be in full-pads.”

Are you getting excited?

“Oh yeah. I’m pumped. I cannot wait for the season to begin.”

How does the team look going into camp?

“Especially after today, we finished one of our last conditioning sessions, we look good. We are a fast team. We don’t have the biggest linemen, but we are fast and shifty. We are changing up the schemes a little bit. It will be interesting. I think we can do really well this year.”

Are there any games on the schedule you have circled or are pumped to play?

“The first one actually. I’m ecstatic to play against Bettendorf (Aug. 26). We play some of the best teams in the state right of the bat. That will make us and them better. We do not have a schedule we can blow over and then struggle when we face a real team. Bettendorf is either ranked No. 1 or No. 2 to start the season. Waukee (Sept. 2) and Dowling Catholic (Sept. 9) are two other games I’m excited to play. Both schools are our rivals. Dowling has won state three times in a row. We are after them this year.”

How did your junior year end up in the classroom?

“I had a 3.1.”

Have you taken your ACT or SAT yet, and if so what did you score on the tests?

“I have not taken either test yet. I’m taking my first one on Sept. 10.”

Bedale, good luck on the test and good luck with fall camp.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Naba family; Bedale Naba at UNI.

Photo credit: Naba family; Bedale Naba displays award from Illinois State.

Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 49 Bedale Naba on the field.