Interview: 2018 California 4-Star WR Nikko Remigio Working Hard for all 14 Scholarship Offers

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

A valued trait all coaches love is determination. A trait most often overlooked is grit. If a player can pull in the intellectual aspects of playing football mixed with the physical attributes with grit and determination there one will find Class of 2018 receiver Nikko Remigio.

One of the hardest positions on the gridiron has to be slot receiver. The prototypical slot receiver is undersized compared to the outside receivers but is quick-on-quick creating mismatches inside the box, underneath the zone, and up the seam. Most of the routes called upon for slot receivers puts all the trust in the world in his quarterback racing across the middle of the field without benefit of knowing if a strong safety or linebacker is in wait for a key moment to strike. Putting all of the fear and doubt aside that comes along with playing inside receiver, Remigio has worked his way to being one of the best in the country.

Flashes of Remigio’s abilities came through during his sophomore season with Mater Dei High School hauling in 20 passes for 226 yards with two scores. The 5-11, 175 pound, rising talent had a breakout season in 2016 securing 46 passes for 758 yards with seven scores. The Monarchs also trusted Remigio’s hands, speed, and ability to make plays on special teams putting him deep on kickoffs where he took nine back for 238 yards.

Remigio’s work on the field helped his Santa Ana squad to a 13-1 record in 2016 proving to be one of the best teams not only in California but in the nation with an end of season MaxPrep’s No. 3 national ranking. The Monarchs ran rough over the competition in the all-too competitive Trinity League losing in the CIF Regional Final to longtime nemesis St. John Bosco (42-28) ending a season that seemed destined for a new trophy on the mantle.

All of the extra work on the practice fields and extended games on the schedule has allowed Remigio to earn a four-star recruiting ranking bolstered by 14 college football offers so far. The teams willing to accept a verbal commitment from Remigio as an addition to their 2018 class includes Colorado, Nebraska, UCLA, Tennessee, Oregon State, Connecticut, Howard, Boston College, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado State, Hawaii, USC, and Wisconsin.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with one of the top prospects in the Golden State covering his junior season, off-season workouts, and recruitment to date.

Interview

Nikko, is there a certain play or a certain move you do or play you run with Mater Dei that you know ahead of time that is going to be six points on the board?

“That is kind of hard to say. At slot, I don’t get those big home run plays. We have an out and up, we call it a “Nod”, where I go five yards out and up the seam. That’s the one play I’m pretty sure we will get a good chunk of yardage.”

Have you developed your poker face on the field to not smile ahead of the play so you don’t tip off the defensive back that he is about to get burned?

(Laughs) “Of course. You don’t want to give it away. You want the defensive back to think it is a block. Your mind is going 1,000 miles an hour and your heart is pumping fast knowing it will work out.”

Which defensive back was the best that you went up against last season?

“The best defensive back I would say was, that’s a tough one, Elijah Hicks (2017 CB at La Mirada, signed with Cal), Jaylon Redd (2017 CB at Rancho Cucamonga, signed with Oregon), and Malone Mataele (2018 Rancho Santa Margarita).”

How did that grind play out through four quarters against those guys?

“I think being able to get the opportunity to go against elite level players is something you don’t get at other high schools. In the Trinity League, you are going against the best of the best. That gives me a look at college football and the kind of guys I will go against at the next level. It is tough now and it will be tough then. It shows my skill level against other elite players.”

How has the Bosco playoff loss help you get better this off-season?

“To be a winner you have to take your losses. Dealing with a defeat like that in a big game, an important game for the seniors wanting to win a championship, to see the pain on their face it inspired me and my teammates. The 2017 season will not be just about us but about the players in the past that did not get to play in those big time games. We will play for those that did not have that opportunity.”

What are you working on this off-season to improve your game?

“Personally, I’m working on getting better overall. I’m working on my hands, route running, aggressiveness, and all of the essentials to improve those things. I’m preparing myself for next season and preparing for college football.”

What are college coaches telling you they like about your game?

“They like that I’m not the typical eye candy receiver. I’m not 6-3, 200, but I play like it. I am quick, fast, and aggressive. The mindset is what they like more so than being 6-3, 200 pounds. The fact that I can compete against those guys is what they admire the most.”

What is one area of your game that you think gets overlooked most by others?

“My blocking. It is so simple but I don’t think I get enough credit for it.”

How do you and JT Daniels (quarterback) work on your on the field connection in practice and during the off-season?

“The connection has always been there. We’ve played youth ball together since sixth grade. That connection is always there. Say we have not thrown for months, all we need is four passes and four catches to get back in the groove. We are pretty much eye to eye with how we play.”

Will your role on offense change at all next season?

“I don’t know what our coach has in mind. From a receiver standpoint I will get the opportunity to play the outside. Osiris St. Brown will be gone. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Bru McCoy, and myself are coming back. As receivers it is important to know the inside and outside. We know all four of the positions. With Osiris leaving we do not have that depth to not let the inside guys go outside.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“I’ve been talking to Cal, Navy, Washington, Washington State, and an Alabama graduate assistant has been texting me.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“Fourteen.”

Are there any of the 14 that are in more regular contact with you than the others?

“Yes. Nebraska, UConn, Tennessee, and Arizona have been in more regular contact with me.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“Yes. I have visited Tennessee, USC, and Cal.”

Do you have any planned visits coming up?

“Yes. JT (Daniels), Bru (McCoy), and I are planning some unofficial visits. I want to make it out to the schools that have offered me. But nothing is said and done with my visits yet.”

You were at the Under Armour All-American camp on Sunday, how did that go?

“It was alright. I was under the weather so I started off slow but once I got going I performed well.”

What other camps might you attend coming up?

“I’m planning on attending the Rivals Three Stripe and the Nike Regional.”

What about college camps?

“Honestly, I have not looked yet.”

Last question. What are you excited about when thinking ahead to the 2017 season?

“Having a good shot at winning a championship. It is not about me or my recruiting. That is icing on the cake. But to be able to play my senior season with some of my best friends with a great chance to be champs, that is a great opportunity to have and be excited about.”

Nikko, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 25 Nikko Remigio pre-snap (2016).

Photo credit: uscfootball.com; Nikko Remigio at a USC camp (2016).

Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 25 Nikko Remigio hauls in a one-handed pass (2016).