Interview: Interest List Expanding for 2018 California OL Adam Lebish

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

There is never a shortage of college football teams wanting to recruit an offensive lineman who shows the right kind of spirit on the field. The spirit includes the want-to on dominating the defender lined up across the line with the attitude that completes the play with a knockdown or a pancake block. There is an extra bonus when the budding high school talent has prototypical size; all traits college coaches find in Class of 2018 lineman Adam Lebish.

Lebish suited up for Livermore High School during the 2016 season pulverizing California competition playing both left guard and left tackle. With Lebish’s talents flourishing, there was little surprise to see the Cowboys, a usual afterthought team, working their way into a tough East Bay League squad with a two-game run into the Division II playoffs.

As the Cowboys built their record to 6-6, Lebish was building a reputation for himself in the Bay area. Interest has come in from schools up and down the west coast throughout the Pac-12 and Mountain West Conferences. Among the many taking a deeper look includes San Jose State, Fresno State, USC, UCLA, Oregon, Sacramento State, Oregon State, Cal, and Northern Arizona. A second look for those needing a 6-5, 295 pound, lineman is needed. Not only has Lebish spent his off-season in the weight room and on the practice field dedicating himself to getting better, but he has also made up ground in the classroom where his grades were once a potential liability. But not anymore. Lebish has pulled his GPA up to a 2.6 and scored a 1090 on his SAT making himself college eligible and ready. He is also taking two extra classes in the fall to bump up his GPA a little bit more.

Another attribute college coaches will love to see, Lebish spent much of his summer traveling to various college camps in the pursuit of refining his skillset while showing next level evaluators what he can do in person. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Lebish to find out what he did on his summer vacation with a look ahead to his senior season.

Interview

Adam, last time I saw you in person you were showcasing your skills at the Nike Opening Regional. How have your off-season workouts gone since then?

“They have gone really well. The team is coming together in a positive way. We’ve been in a rebuilding era, I think that is finally over. I think it will kick into place this year. We went .500 for the first time in 15 years last season. We want to go back to the playoffs again and make a run.

“We have a new head coach in Coach (Terry) Butler. He has brought a new mentality to the program. He is our former defensive coordinator. He is a very prideful guy. He has set a new standard for Livermore. Our off-season workouts have been tough. We have been lifting a lot and doing a lot of conditioning. Coach Butler was at our rival school, Granada, before coming to Livermore. He knows what it takes to win. It will be a great season.”

What has been the focus of your personal workouts?

“Mainly strength, footwork, getting out of my step quicker, pass pro, and staying low. Staying low, that has always been key. My hand placement has improved a lot. I’ve been working on a lot of the technical things to make my blocking perfect.”

How has your game improved so far this off-season?

“My speed has made an incredible improvement. At the Opening, my 40 was 5.6. I’m down to 5.2. My agility has been a struggle in the past, but I’ve been working the ladders and getting better. I’ve been practicing my kick and stance at home. It is about what you can do in your free time to make yourself better. I’ve been going over the steps over and over so the muscle memory kicks in on the field. My confidence has really kicked in with all the work I have put into my blocking.”

Have you maxed out in the weight room this spring or summer?

“Yes. My bench is at 340, back squat 445, and my power clean was 285. I did not start doing power clean and full squat until the end of spring.”

Did any college coaches come to Livermore to meet with you in person or to watch you workout this off-season?

“My sophomore and junior year were rough in the classroom. I aced my classes this summer and in the fall I’m taking two more to help my core GPA. Cal told me they were coming back this fall. The main schools were Fresno State, Sacramento State, Northern Arizona, Nevada, UNLV, San Jose State, Portland state, UC Davis, San Diego, UCLA, and Oregon State. Coach (Brian) White (running backs) from Boston College, he’s been in contact. I’ve had a lot of contact and communication with a lot of college coaches.”

Which college camps have you attended so far this summer?

“San Jose, Sac State, Cal, UCLA Bruin Elite and Big Man Camp, and a USC camp.”

Which was your best performance camp?

“I felt the USC was my best. That was my last camp. I went down to LA and spent two days in a row at UCLA then a day off before attending USC’s camp. At the USC camp, I think I showed my skillset there best and did my best in the one-on-ones there. Coaches have told me every time they see me I am getting better and better. Coaches are seeing that I am coachable. They know I can handle college. You have to catch on really quick at the college level to their instruction. If they see you progressing along, you will be a key recruit for them.”

Are there any other schools showing recruiting interest?

“Washington, Washington State, and Oregon are wanting to see I do during my senior year.”

Do you have any planned visits coming up, official or unofficial?

“All my unofficial visits have been taken for now. I visited UCLA and USC. I was going up to Washington but I could not make it. I hope to get up there this fall, and to Boston College as well. I got the chance to visit NAU and UNR (Nevada). I went to San Jose and Sac State too this off-season.”

Last question, a look ahead to the season question. Are there a couple of games on the schedule you have circled for your senior year?

“Yes. Our league has nine teams in it. Excited to play San Ramon (Valley), Amador (Valley), and Foothill. We beat Amador for first time in 17 years last season. It is always excited to play Granada. We beat them for first time in six years last season too.

“I am excited to play all of them. Our school wants to make a stand. We want to run through everyone. Coach Butler has us with that mindset. We want to accomplish what winning teams do. We start with four games at home, then we have two on the road, and then back at home. That’ll help. It will be an exciting year.”

Adam, good luck with fall camp and good luck with your senior season.

“Thank you.”

Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com FREE!

If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!

Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Adam Lebish Nike Opening Regional Oakland

Photo credit: Lebish family; Adam Lebish at Fresno State