Commitment Report: Carvon Gurley (Minnetonka-2020)

Of the hundreds of recruits that signed their national letters of intent in Minnesota two days ago, I may be most excited about Minnetonka’s DT <a href="https://www.northstarfootballnews.com/player/carvon-gurley/"><a href="https://www.northstarfootballnews.com/player/carvon-gurley/">Carvon Gurley</a></a>. The 6’3, 280 lb. brick wall of a NG/3-tech has been an absolute force on the defensive line for the Minnetonka Skippers and you can basically find out everything you need to know about Gurley from the first play of his highlight tape. Trust me, it’s <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/7699903/5bb1764d64e03b11602afeab">worth a look.</a>. Despite his explosiveness and strength on the defensive interior and a host of DI visits that seemed to get him on the cusp of an offer, Gurley was I believe was overlooked as a prospect and because of this, he bet on himself and his dreams of playing DI ball and committed to the Midwest’s best junior college in Iowa Western CC - coached by the legendary Scott Strohmeier. I think it’s a perfect fit, as the Reivers are getting a dlineman who is big and strong enough to plug the interior in America’s toughest JUCO conference right away and has a chip on his shoulder- and as Gurley told me and Northstar Football News him himself - the ‘Tonka grad is heading to a program that has sent 21 defensive lineman to the Division I level in the past three years! As a bonus, they are even down a DT for next season. The Reivers get some of the best FBS college coaches coming to Council Bluffs every year, and it seems like a great opportunity for the Minnesotan to shine. NFN was lucky enough to sit down with Gurley after signing day to discuss the opportunities presented at Iowa Western, his recruitment process, Minnetonka’s 2019 season, & more! Hope you enjoy. [embed]https://twitter.com/reiverfootball/status/1225059159806267395?s=21[/embed] NFN: Hello and congratulations on the commitment, Carvon! Please begin by sharing with us as much as you want about your personal recruitment process and how IWCC came into the mix. Gurley: “The recruiting process started for me late in my sophomore year after I attended a super bowl weekend football camp, where I had some clips of me flowing over social media. My first invite was an unofficial visit to the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. That visit kicked off everything for me. I had soon received many Game Day invites to some of the top programs like Michigan State, Notre Dame, Minnesota, Iowa state, and more. It was great for me because I’ve built relationships with many coaches and players around the Midwest due to camps and going on these visits. Toward the end of my junior season is when I started to receive offers from Division 2 schools. That’s when I started to find out what my options were and what I was going to do. IWCC came into the picture when I realized Division 1 wasn’t going to happen right out of high school and I felt as if I could indeed play at the highest level so Juco became my next option.” NFN: Awesome. What made you commit to Iowa Western? What did you like about the program, and made them stand out for you? Also, tell us a little bit about what parts of going the JUCO route were appealing to you? And what does Iowa Western offer that’s big on a JUCO scale? Gurley: “Iowa Western Community College is known to be one of the best jucos in the nation and after talking about goals and plans with the staff and my family it seemed like the best fit for me. The appealing part to me was just another opportunity to get to my goal and to play with some of the best of the best from all over. Juco’s a grind and I know here guys will have one common goal and that's to get out. Their history with players not only in my position but the program as a whole speaks for itself. They have sent 21 Defensive Lineman in the past 3 years Division 1 so that’s helpful, they aren’t just a midwest recruited place they draw coaches in from everywhere so there are plenty of opportunities for guys like me, and they are down to 1 returning defensive tackle so that helps knowing there's a spot for me to go earn and play right away. They have some of the best facilities I’ve seen and you can tell the school really cares about its players and how sports can affect the lives of some people. Lastly, academics is something they preach heavily and they hold their players to high standards.” NFN: Tell me about your season as well as Tonka’s? What were some big games and what can you say about your career personally? Gurley: “This year as a team we didn’t have the season we wanted. A few guys went out with injuries and with the passing of Archer Amrosi - who would’ve been the quarterback - things got a little scrambled. For the most part we competed in every game, but there were things down the stretch we didn't do to win. My career at Tonka I believe was pretty good. [caption id="attachment_17310" align="alignnone" width="300"] Gurley.[/caption] Besides this past year we were successful not only as a program but as individuals too. Eden Prairie and Wayzata were always big games because it was like must see TV to everyone so as a player you had to show up and show-out. But again, I felt my high school was success and I'm grateful for all of the memories.” NFN: What position will you be playing in college? And what kind of player is Iowa Western getting? Gurley: “I will be playing Defense Tackle at IWCC. IWCC will be getting a player that feels like he has something to prove, with strong knowledge, and love for the game. Someone who is committed to coming in and working hard everyday. BetOnYourself #SailsUp” There better be no surprises when the Tonka grad signs to a DI school at Iowa Western’s signing day next year! Congratulations and good luck, Carvon!