Interview: Do Everything 2018 Dorsey Athlete Isaiah Smalls Shinning at Tight End

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

As the years have gone by, the game of football has morphed changing the roles of different positions along with the need to place certain types of athletes at key spots on the field. Another truism over the years, if a player was athletic enough and with size, said player was fought for and usually claimed by a defensive coordinator leaving offenses void of a potential playmaker. The tight end position needs all the love it can get and has received a big boost to the cause with Class of 2018 talent Isaiah Smalls.

Smalls fits the description of a do everything kind of player capable of succeeding at multiple positions, something he has already proven and at a high level. Over the past two seasons, Smalls has filled in as an emergency quarterback completing 14-of-26 passes for 248 yards with three scores against zero picks in 2015 and completed 19 more attempts during his junior season for 245 yards with another touchdown without throwing an interception.

Where Smalls has truly shinned on offense has been in the passing attack and ground game at tight end. During his sophomore season he secured seven passes for 100 yards with a score proving to be an asset along the line blowing open holes for his running backs. When the 2016 season rolled around, Smalls answered the call for the Dons filling in wherever needed rushing 16 times for 65 yards with a touchdown and lined up at tight end and receiver pulling in eight passes for 148 yards. In a video game stylized way, five of his eight passes hauled in were scored touchdowns.

Smalls helped Dorsey to a 10-4 record last season in California’s highest division of play with a 4-1 mark in the Coliseum League. Despite time all over the field, the 6-3, 225 pound, emerging star earned second team All-City honors at tight end. The play at multiple positions has slowed colleges keying in on him but the payoff is finally coming around. Oregon and Florida A&M have offered with teams like Colorado, Washington State, and Washington, among others, taking interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the top tight ends in the Golden State covering his junior season, off-season goals, and recruitment thus far.

Interview

Isaiah, you’ve played some quarterback in each of the past two seasons for Dorsey, will you be back in the pocket during the 2017 season?

“As of right now I’m not sure. We are training a quarterback right now. I don’t think I will have to be back in the pocket my senior year.”

You primarily lineup at tight end for the Dons but you also get some time in at receiver, which position do you like best?

“I like tight end. Playing end is more of a mismatch going against linebackers. They are not as athletic as I am. I like to block too.”

What makes you such a dangerous receiving target for Dorsey?

“What makes me such a dangerous target, if they want to line me up anywhere I can effect a lot of game plans. You don’t know if we are running or passing the ball depending on where I line up.”

Are you going to play any defense during your senior year?

“I’m not sure as of right now. If they need me to help my team get the win on defense, that is what I will do.”

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

“I’m running track right now. I’m working on my overall speed and flexibility. I’m working on loosening my hips to get faster and to get out of my breaks faster. I am also working to get stronger in the weight room.”

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

“I know my bench is around 270. We have not maxed out on other lifts yet.”

What is your goal for the 2017 off-season?

“My goal is to do what I am doing now, run track and lift. But when I go to the camps, I plan on attending the Nike Opening and a Rivals camp, I want to showcase why I should be more heavily recruited and show why I am one of the top tight ends in California and possibly in the nation.”

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

“It went well. It was a great experience. I got a lot of great reps at tight end there. I lined up at wide receiver some too. I had a good experience out there.”

Was there anything new that you learn thing at camp that will help you going forward?

“I knew what we were covering. I wanted to see what the hype was all about with some of the guys at the camp. There were a lot of guys out there with four-stars and a lot of offers. I knew some of the guys out there but when you line up against me it goes out the window. It is time to play ball.”

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

“I’m planning on going to Oregon, Washington, and a few other camps out here in California. Once they let me know when their camp dates are I will sign up for more.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“I recently received offers from Oregon and Florida A&M. Washington State, Washington, Boise State, and Colorado have been showing interest.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“Last season visited Washington for their game against USC.”

Do you have any planned visits coming up?

“I plan on visiting Washington again in the spring or summer. I definitely plan on going to Oregon this spring or summer.”

Which position have most of the college coaches contacted you about playing at the next level?

“Most schools contacting me for tight end. Some schools like me at outside linebacker and defensive end.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“My core average is a 3.5.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“No. I plan on taking it in May or June. I was just in our college center office looking into that.”

You mentioned track earlier. Which events in track are you running this season?

“I am focused on getting faster. I want longer plays in the passing game and better endurance in the games. I’m running the 200 and 400. I used to play baseball and basketball. If it is not benefiting me for football, I don’t have time to do that right now.

Do you have a goal in the 200?

“There are very few guys who can run the event at my size and weight. My goal is to run it to the best of my abilities.”

Which event are you better in, the 200 or 400?

“I run the 200 better. I can run full speed the whole time. In the 400 I have to run it at a different pace. I get out hard for the first 200. I learned how to run the 400 better last season.”

What is your favorite part about playing football?

My favorite part about playing football, it is an escape from everything. You can have a bad day and take your anger out on the football field.”

Isaiah, thanks for your time today and good luck with all of you upcoming camps and track season.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 15 Isaiah Smalls at tight end pre-snap (2016).

Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 15 Isaiah Smalls pre-game warmups (2016).

Photo credit: Smalls family; Isaiah Smalls at Washington (2016).