Calm before the Storm Interviews

Entering the calm before the storm all over Illinois, 500 plus high schools prepare to square off for the 1st time since November 2019. We have found ourselves in a precarious situation with adversities we all have had to overcome together. Friday night will be my first varsity coaching experience, and my excitement level is off the charts. I can only imagine for some of these hardworking young men; the feeling is mutual. I was able to catch up with some extraordinary athletes who aim to significantly impact their teams during this shortened spring season, asking them how prepared they feel mentally and physically and whether they have anything to prove? <hr /> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="20841" first="Miles" last="McVay"], East St. Louis, OT, C/O 2023, 6’7 345, @McVayMiles</h5> Miles, a Max Prep 1st team All-American, spoke on his excitement for the Friday night opener with great enthusiasm. As young as he is, coaches still question whether he is the real deal or just a "T-Shirt and Shorts performer." He quotes, " I am in a good mental state have worked to be consistent, technical, and maintain a physical focus. Superb knowledge of the playbook will allow me to play fast to take my game to the next level." I have seen Miles up close multiple times spoke with him more so; he is on his way to being the Top OT Prospect in the country come this fall. He is a mountain of a young man with a clear mission of determination to be the best he can be. <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="118710" first="Camden" last="Robbins"], Fairfield CHS, DB/WR/ATH, C/O 2022, 6’3 180, @camdenw03</h5> Camden came right out and said, " I feel like I have a ton to prove. I am a different player than I was my sophomore year.". Everything he has heard from the college coaches is they want to see that junior year film. Saying, "Not added pressure; it’s a challenge." Camden knows his capabilities with a clear mind on how to use them and showcase them. Playing basketball has given him exceptional conditioning going into the season, which he feels helped immensely. He has a particular leadership you can’t find anywhere, quoting, " At the end of the day, nothing matters more to me than helping this senior class go out the way they deserve Unbeaten Conference Champs. <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="20927" first="Ty" last="Hopp"], Aurora Central Catholic, LB/SS, C/O 2022, 6’0, 225, @hopp_ty</h5> TY ’The Russian’ Hopp is ready to take the next step to prove he belongs in Division 1 football. Ty says, " I want to prove that I am one of the top linebackers in Illinois with a plan to play aggressive, extremely physical, and fast. " He is genuinely team-oriented with his excitement to show what Aurora Central Catholic can do. Hopp plays with a mean streak that runs through the ball carrier. Exciting to see how far he has come from his sophomore season. <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="65707" first="Keegan" last="Glover"], Benton HS, QB, C/O 2022, 6’0 165, @GloverKeegan</h5> Keegan has been to an impressive amount of camps, showcases, and seven on seven’s to prepare him for this shortened season. Keegan says the team's excitement to play their team rival week one has the team practicing with elevated intensity. One quote that stuck out  "I think that going to a lot of the camps this off-season helped me get the right mindset and helped slow the game down for me."  He feels he has something to prove but won't let that change his game or affect him in any way. The expectations are high after an impressive sophomore campaign, and now he has grown, worked, and built his game to be next level. Keegan is ready to open with a win for his Saturday home game vs. school rival West Frankfurt. This scout will be in attendance, and I cant wait to see him up close and in live-action. <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="20908" first="Jireh" last="Mays"], East St. Louis, DT, C/O  2022, 6’2 320, @jirehmays99</h5> Jireh, the 2022 second-ranked defensive linemen for Prep Redzone Rankings, knows how to turn on the switch for game time. He is hungry to prove that East Side is a national team, not ending anytime soon. He quotes, " I'm mentally and physically ready for this year, but I am always grinding to get better; it never stops." That is a testament to what I've seen in the showcases where I had the chance to see him perform up close. Mays has a high-motor that he will put on display while using his hands to create separation. The flyers have a demanding schedule for not playing out of the region, and a lot of teams he will see have high-level talent. He is going to put on a clinic this spring. <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="57168" first="Austin" last="Brown"], Johnston City HS, QB/FS/ATH, C/O 2022, 6’1 200, @austintyler_25</h5> Austin is one of the top athletes in southern Illinois, and I mean top 2 or 3 players that's including the big schools over in the Metro East. He has all the tools to do what he wants on the field and be a game-changer at all times. Catching up with him, I asked if he had anything to prove; he said, " If they have questions, this year's film will answer them." Does he feel prepared when asked? " Without doubt, I have been working for this way too long not to be." Brown is oozing with raw athleticism with immense talent, and a high football IQ to play this game for a long time. Remember this name. <h5>Jeremiah Hardnett, O’Fallon HS, OL/DL, C/O 2023, 5’10 260, @jeremiahHardene1</h5> Jeremiah is a humble player with a lot to prove because he feels overlooked. When I mean humble, he says, "I feel like I still need to grow more mentally and physically." I have seen Hardnett up close during showcases; he plays low, stout, and feet chopping hard. He is facing a challenging schedule weekly with big-time talent lining up across from him. He wants to prove that he is a gamer that can play in the trenches with the best of them, and I have seen him up close; he has the talent to do it. Now let us see him put it all together for this 2020 spring season. &nbsp;