Interview: 2018 Florida 4-Star LB Rocky Shelton Updates Recruitment and Possible Visits

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

If curious about one of the best high school teams in the country perhaps not getting the national publicity of Bishop Gorman, De La Salle, St. John Bosco, or IMG Academy, look to St. Thomas Aquinas. Over the past two seasons the Raiders have been a dominating force posting a 13-1 record in 2015 and a 13-2 mark last season capturing back-to-back Florida 7A titles. One of the common themes over the past two years ready to help the Raiders grab what would be their fourth consecutive state title is Class of 2018 linebacker Darrell “Rocky” Shelton.

Shelton was a key contributor to the Fort Lauderdale squad during his sophomore season compiling 36 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, one pass defended, and one forced fumble. The 2016 edition of the Raiders squad averaged 40 points a game while stifling opposing offenses to an average of just nine points per contest. The Raiders ended the year ranked No. 7 in the nation per MaxPreps but was just two plays away from being the best of the best. Aquinas lost their season opener 27-23 to Booker T. Washington and then fell in triple-overtime to the eventual national champs, Bishop Gorman, 25-24.

The defense pitched five shutouts on the season, even with most of the starters on the sidelines in the second half. Incomplete stats posted on Shelton through 14 games credited him with 86 tackles and two fumble recoveries, a pretty amazing stat line with a lot of downtime in the second half of most games. If one is wondering how well he plays under the biggest spotlight against the best team out there, in the showdown against Gorman, Shelton rang up 15 total tackles, 13 of the solo variety.

The offer sheet for the 6-0, 209 pound, defender reflects his playing abilities on the field with 25 offers on the table. Some of the teams wanting his talent on their roster at the next level includes LSU, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, Louisville, N.C. State, Toledo, Missouri, Florida Atlantic, Maryland, Syracuse, Michigan State, Florida State, Duke, North Carolina, Oregon, Iowa, Minnesota, Auburn, East Carolina, Rutgers, and Penn State.

The list of offers for the four-star recruit is far from being completed with other interest coming in and a senior season of highlight worthy plays to add to his reel. A few schools like Florida State, Duke, and Vanderbilt have already hosted Shelton on unofficial visits with another handful of schools that might get a chance to impress before the 2017 season begins.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with Shelton covering his off-season workouts and got an update on his recruiting process thus far.

Interview

Rocky, how are your off-season workouts going?

“They are going really well actually. I’m working out four times a week and the school has a mental toughness coach who comes in on Wednesday to help prepare us for next season. Everything is going well.”

What is the mental toughness coach helping with exactly?

“She helps us better understand ourselves, life, and our capabilities. We cover the thought processes of getting better and what we have to do to achieve our goals. The time spent with our mental toughness coach in the team discussion is helping build team chemistry. We get a real feel for each other.”

With your workouts, which areas of your game are you most intent on getting better this spring and summer?

“Everything. There is always room for improvement. I’m working on speed, strength, and my knowledge of the game by watching film. I’m also running track.”

Which track events?

“I used to do the hurdles but this year I am practicing to get faster for football.”

What kind of workouts are you doing this spring?

“We do everything from mass building to quick reacting fast twitch workouts, track work, and endurance work.”

Have you maxed out this spring?

“No. But my best guess is 315 pounds with four reps on bench, my squat is five plates, and my deadlift is five plates as well.”

When your junior season ended which areas of your game were most improved?

“I feel that my cover skills improved the most last season.”

When you talk to the various college coaches, what are they telling you they like about your game?

“They like my overall speed. That is one thing you always have to work on and college coaches want, and I fit that bill. My overall knowledge of the game and where the ball is going and attacking the hole are the other strengths college coaches mention.”

Are you playing any 7v7 ball this spring?

“No.”

Which camps have you attended so far?

“I went to the Nike Opening Regional, Under Armour, and an Adidas Rivals camp.”

How have the camps gone?

“The camps went really well.”

Which camps do you have coming up?

“None.”

How many offers do you have now?

“Twenty-five.”

Of the schools that have offered, are there any in a little more contact above and beyond the others?

“A couple. Duke, North Carolina, Iowa, Minnesota, and Maryland are in regular contact. Ohio State is in a lot of contact but have not offered.”

Other than Ohio State, are there any other schools showing interest but have not offered?

“Ohio State and Notre Dame are really the only ones.”

Over the last couple of times that we talked you had your top schools as Florida State, LSU, Michigan State, Duke, and North Carolina. Is our top list still the same or has it changed some?

“That has changed but not too sure the exact rundown.”

Which schools have you visited this off-season so far?

“My sophomore year I went to Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia Tech. This spring I have been to Vanderbilt, Florida State, Duke and I was supposed to go to North Carolina but they had a water problem so we could not make it. Their water was contaminated.”

Do you have any upcoming visits planned?

“I do, but I’m not too sure where all we might go. My dad will let me know.”

Which schools might you visit or are possibly looking at visiting if it works out?

“I think Louisville, Auburn, and back to Vanderbilt in June for their camp. They have not offered yet so I will camp there.”

What are you looking for in a school?

“I’m looking for everything. At the end of the day you have to look at all four years with everything including academics. Football does not last forever. I want to see what a school can offer to help my life after football. I’m looking for a school with good coaches, a good atmosphere and lifestyle, and I want to see what their academic programs offer for what comes after football.”

Have you started thinking about a commitment date?

“No, I have not that about that yet.”

St. Thomas Aquinas kicks of the season with a big home game against St. John Bosco, are you getting excited for the beginning of the 2017 season already?

“I think we play Bosco and Centennial from Arizona. I am excited about the start of our season getting to play St. John Bosco. That will be a great football game against a team not from Florida. It will allow us to get a feel for how the other teams in the country play. I think those games will be on ESPN and FOX.”

Rocky, thanks for your time today and good luck with all of your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 44 Rocky Shelton pressures a quarterback.

Photo credit: Shelton family; Rocky Shelton at Vanderbilt.