Interview: Arkansas 2018 LT Noah Gatlin Growing into Cornerstone Offensive Lineman

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Much of recruiting for college football coaches is gauging the potential talent for a prospect with the thought of a couple of years of fine-tuning once on campus, as opposed to where said player’s skill level is at currently. For Jonesboro High School Class of 2018 left tackle Noah Gatlin, the 6-7, 300 pound, rising star has all the physical potential to extended his dominating ways to the next level. The complete package of potential makes Gatlin a high caliber recruit all college coaches should check out.

Across the U.S., there are few defensive ends or defensive tackles that can physically match Gatlin’s size and speed snap after snap. The odds of him finding his equal in Arkansas 6A competition dwindles dramatically leaving him as a standout pancaking and demoralizing the opposition play after play. Beyond his gifted size, Gatlin gets after it with the snap of the ball overpowering ends and tackles a like blowing open holes in the running game. Showing rare quickness for a player of his size, Gatlin can get out on bubble screens as a lead blocker extending his path of fear to cornerbacks and safeties.

One area where bigger high school players can get challenged along the offensive line is on passing downs. To no surprise, Gatlin has that area covered as well. Showing great footwork and mirroring techniques, Gatlin uses his reach and footwork to side step with the fastest of ends keeping them at arm’s length allowing for his quarterback’s jersey to stay clean.

The superlatives touted may lead one to believe that Gatlin is the next coming of the super left tackle – maybe so? The frame, speed, and developing strength is there. The desire to dominate the opposition is there too, something that all college football offensive line coaches love to see. Is Gatlin perfect at this point in his career, of course not. As all tall linemen must work through, his pad level can be too high at times, he can let defenders into his body here and there, and he can get caught reaching instead of bending, but not as badly as others especially some more highly ranked than he.

The growing consensus at the college level supports the scouting report. Thus far, Gatlin has received 10 Division-I offers from Arkansas State, Memphis, Louisiana-Monroe, Western Kentucky, Louisiana Tech, Air Force, Texas State, SMU, and Virginia. The list should grow with a great college camp circuit this summer as teams like Arkansas, Georgia, Virginia Tech, Texas Tech, North Carolina State, Duke, and Auburn are each showing interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the Natural State’s top Class of 2018 offensive linemen to get his thoughts on his junior season while covering his off-season workouts and recruiting process.

Interview

Noah, you have that nasty streak that college coaches love to see on the field. What is your mentality on the field with each snap of the ball?

“I’m just trying to win every snap. I want to do my job and my part to help the team win. My goal is to put them on their back every time.”

Have you come across a defensive tackle, end, or linebacker that has given you the least amount of trouble out there on the field?

“During my tenth-grade year, when I was playing right tackle, there was a guy from Conway who was a lot stronger than me. That was my fourth varsity game. He really challenged me. It made me learn speed and the game differently.”

What is your preparation like during the week for any given game?

“I watched a lot of film to see their moves on downs and situations. I watched for any stunts that they like to run. I worked on footwork and worked with my guard as we needed it to prepare.”

You move well for a lineman of your size, what are some of the other strengths of your game?

“Pre-snap, I’m good at picking up blitzes they are going to run and calling it out. I think that is something that has helped, and being a leader for the team. I think I have a quick set. I have good hand placement off the ball. That gives me an advantage the first few seconds of the play.”

What are you working on this off-season?

“Coaches told me last year that I need to play lower. Playing lower is my main focus. I have a trainer. He helps me with my feet and pass set to help me move better than I did last year.”

Have you attended any exposure camps so far this spring?

“No, sir. I am going to the Nike Opening May 6 in Charlotte, North Carolina.”

Are you excited about the camp?

“Yes, sir. I have done a lot of work leading up to it. I am ready to go.”

Have you maxed out in the weight room this off-season?

“I have on bench press. I pressed 305.”

Nice. What are your personal goals for the spring and summer before entering your senior season?

“My main goal is being a leader. I want to win a state championship. That is our main focus. We have a great group of guys. That is my main goal.”

Which teams are showing recruiting interest in you but have not offered yet?

“Arkansas, Virginia Tech, Texas Tech, Duke, North Carolina State, Auburn, and Georgia have invited me to a camp.”

How many offers do you have so far?

“Ten.”

Of the schools that have offered, are any in more frequent contact with you than the others?

“Memphis, Arkansas State, and Virginia have been doing a good job of keeping in touch with me.”

Which teams have come by your school this spring to watch you in practice or meet you face to face?

“So far Texas Tech, Memphis, and Arkansas. Air Force came to the school on Monday.”

Are there any other schools coming to school to see you that you know of?

“There are but not sure when. Louisiana Tech is one of them.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“Yes, sir. I have been to N.C. State, Memphis, Indiana, Central Florida, and Arkansas. I am going to Virginia this weekend.”

How did the Arkansas visit go?

“It was good. I enjoyed the coaches. I got to watch their practice and I spoke with Coach (Kurt) Anderson (offensive line coach) and Coach (Bret) Bielema (head coach). They said they liked the way I play and on film. They want to see me in action at one of their camps.”

How did your visit with Memphis go?

“That was good as well. I really liked their offensive line coach, Coach (Ryan) Silverfield and their head coach, Coach (Mike) Norvell. The coaches have a lot of energy and are fun to be around.”

What has you excited about visiting Virginia this weekend?

“I’m excited not only to learn about the program but also to learn about their academics. Their offensive line coach, Coach (Garett) Tujaque seems like a nice person and a good person to be around. I’m excited to see what they have to offer.”

Do you have any other unofficial visits planned for this spring or summer?

“I’m looking at a few but none set up yet.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“3.15.”

Do you have a score on the ACT or SAT you don’t mind sharing?

“My ACT score is a 24.”

Turning back to your team, how does Jonesboro look in spring practices so far?

“We have not had an official practice in pads yet. The last couple of weeks in May we will. We’ve had to wait because of baseball and track. During our conditioning drills we look good we should have a great season ahead of us.”

What is one thing opposing teams need to understand about the Hurricane squad before the 2017 season kicks off?

“Be prepared and ready to play. We are going to come out in every game like it is our last.”

Noah, thanks for your time today. Good luck with your visit to Virginia this weekend.

“Thanks.”

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Photo credit: PTP; No. 73 Noah Gatlin pass set (2016)

Photo credit: Gatlin family; Noah Gatlin at N.C. State

Photo credit:  Gatlin family; Noah Gatlin at Arkansas