Interview: Arkansas 2018 LB Oliver Nasilai Brings the Heat in the Middle for Har-Ber

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

As the game of football evolves with offenses becoming more dynamic and complicated seeking to spread out the opposition’s defense to find a mismatch, one thing remains true to the sport at all levels, there is nothing like having a gap filling inside linebacker who brings the heat play after play. One Natural State talent who takes advantage of every running play that comes his way is Har-Ber High School’s Oliver Nasilai.

Nasilai may not get the action in the run game that the football forefathers received playing linebacker due to the pervasive nature of the passing attack to the game, but when he gets a chance to stuff the run, he does his job extremely well. During his sophomore season, Nasilai helped lead the Wildcats to an 11-2 season coming up with 67 tackles, six tackles for a loss, four sacks, three quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble against Arkansas 7A competition. The following season was much of the same compiling a stat line of 61 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles, one field goal blocked, one fumble recovery, and one interception. A small wrinkle to his game was added as a short-down back rushing seven times for 21 yards with one score.

The Wildcats ended their 2016 schedule 8-3 ranked as the No. 8 team in the state of Arkansas by MaxPreps. The high level of play, especially stopping the run up the middle, led to an offer from Brigham Young University with teams like Arkansas, Arizona State, Utah, Northwestern, Navy, and Louisiana-Monroe showing reported interest in Nasilai. With the spring exposure camps in full swing and college camps about to start up, the rising Class of 2018 star has a chance to move interest to offers while pulling in even more interested college programs wanting to see him move around the field during his senior campaign. One thing that will be noticeable, the formerly 6-1.5, 245 pound, defender is dropping weight while adding speed to his game.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with one of the top linebackers in the state of Arkansas for a one-on-one interview covering his junior year, off-season workouts, and recruiting process so far.

Interview

Oliver, when did you start playing varsity football for Har-Ber?

“I played some as a freshman. I started one game at linebacker and two at tight end.”

What is the base defense Har-Ber runs?

“We currently run a 3-4.”

What is your role within the defense as a middle/inside linebacker?

“Just the middle, I count that as mine.”

How has your skillset improved over the last two seasons within that role?

“I think my vision has gotten a lot better. I can see where the running back is going and I have a better understanding of offenses now. That comes with watching film and experience.”

What are the strengths of your game as a linebacker?

“I’d say filling my gap. My best attribute is filling the gap and plugging the hole. Letting them know they are not coming through the middle.”

What are you working on this off-season to prepare for your senior year?

“Right now I’m mainly working on my speed and strength. You can always get stronger and faster. I want to get faster than I am. I’m dropping some weight to pick up some speed.”

What is your weight goal for the 2017 season?

“I’m trying to get down to 230 or 225.”

Did you earn any individual honors at the end of your sophomore or junior seasons?

“As a sophomore, I was All-Conference. Last year I was All-State, Linebacker of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year for the Conference (7A West).”

Who was the toughest lineman or running back you faced last season?

“Honestly, I don’t know. I did not have troubles with any running backs or linemen.”

Have you been to any exposure camps this spring?

“Yes. I have been to the Nike Combine (Dallas), the Under Armour All-American Camp (Dallas), and I just went to a Rivals (Dallas) camp. I am going to the Rivals Three Stripe (St. Louis) next month.”

How did that camps go?

“They were okay. They get boring. They do the same things.”

Going up against some great talent at all the camps, have any of the camps presented any challenges for you?

“Yeah. At the Under Armour Camp, there were some good dudes there. Coverage wise, I can work on that and get better.”

Have you maxed out in the weight room this spring?

“No. We do that next week.”

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

“A couple of the big schools are Memphis and Oklahoma State. I just met with Arkansas’ defensive coordinator, Coach (Paul) Rhoads. He came by school on Wednesday.”

Do you have any offers?

“I have one from BYU.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits?

“This off-season I have been to Oklahoma State and Memphis. I went to Arkansas last year (2016).”

How did your visit to Oklahoma State go?

“It was pretty good. I talked to defensive coordinator who is also their linebackers coach, Coach (Glenn) Spencer. It was a really good visit. They said they would be down for spring ball.”

How did your trip to Memphis go?

“It also was a good visit. They will also be here for spring ball. Their defensive coordinator, Coach (Chris) Ball, stopped by on Thursday.”

What did Arkansas’ coaching staff talk about with you when you were there?

“I did not get to talk to their defensive coordinator, Coach (Paul) Rhoads, much but I did introduce myself. He said I have great film but other than that we did not talk that much.”

Do you have any other visits planned coming up?

“No.”

Do you know which college camps you might attend this summer?

“I am definitely going to a lot of camps but I’m not sure which ones yet.”

Do you have your eye on any?

“Arkansas, Oklahoma State, and Memphis are three I will definitely attend.”

Do you play any other sports for Har-Ber?

“No.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“3.4.”

Have you taken your ACT or SAT yet?

“I got a 21 on the ACT.”

Nice. Last question, for fun. Do you have any fun summer trips planned or will your summer pretty much consist of football camps?

“Probably just camps, but those are fun enough.”

Oliver, great doing the interview with you today. Good luck with the rest of your off-season workouts.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; No. 35 Oliver Nasilai celebrates a play with his teammates.

Photo credit: Nasilai family; Oliver Nasilai at Memphis

Photo credit: Nasilai family; Oliver Nasilai at Oklahoma State