Interview: 2020 Arkansas LB Quade Mosier Might be the Best in Class You Have Not Heard of Yet

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

One of the joys of covering high school football and college football recruiting is the discovery of an unknown talent outside his immediate sphere of influence. The latest RNG discovery is Class of 2020 linebacker Quade Mosier. Mosier has all the trademark skills of a Power 5 Conference defender, he is just under the radar… for now.

It does not take long watching Mosier’s game film to see there is a true football player on the field. Mosier is quick to the ball, brings the wood on contact, and squashes the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage, not five yards downfield. He is a throwback with sideline to sideline game speed that might not be accurately clocked in a 40-yard dash. All of those skills showed up on the field in 2018 with Fayetteville High School. Going against Class 7A West competition, easily the best conference in Arkansas, the 6-2, 221-pound, tackling machine put an end to 115 plays, with 75 solo stops, 13 tackles for a loss, two sacks, six QB hurries, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and defended three passes.

With regional college scouts learning of Mosier’s skills, recruiting is starting to take off. He has recent unofficial visits to Oklahoma, Rice, Baylor and he is visiting the Sooners for a second time today (Thursday, March 28, 2019). With an opportunity to learn more about his game and recruiting process, I had to sit down for a one-on-one with this hidden Arkansas talent.

Interview

Quade, you are an old school inside linebacker. I love it. You bring a presence to the field. What is your mentality on Friday nights?

“I love the aggression part. I don’t want to just beat my opponent, I want them to tap out. I love hard-nosed football.”

There were many things I truly like about your game film but the one thing that separates you from even four-star linebackers I evaluate is everything stops in front of you, not next to you or five yards downfield. What are some of the other strengths to your game?

“One of my big things is my speed. I am faster than most linebackers and I don’t miss tackles. It all goes back to being aggressive, playing hard and fast.”

I can see your reading and reacting in your film, how did that part of your game come along in 2018?

“My coaches played a big role in that. We watch film every day and I watched film on my own. We have a complex defense. The film study helps us prepare for what we see that week.”

You also line up on the outside in situational settings, how did that part of your game improve last season containing on the outside, coming off the edge, and with your coverage?

“I like that a lot. When it is 20 personnel, I can go inside the box. Against the spread, I can go outside and play and provide coverage. I like inside and outside the same. I can play man and I do well to contain against the run.”

If your speed is overlooked, scouts need to hang it up. What is the fastest 40-yard dash you’ve posted?

“My fastest is a 4.6 hand-timed.”

What are you working on this offseason?

“I am trying to get bigger and faster. I am working on becoming a better conditioned athlete. I want to play my hardest throughout the whole game.”

Have you attended any national camps this offseason?

“Yes, sir. I attended the Nike Opening Regional in Dallas.”

How did the Nike camp go?

“It went great. I had a 113 SPARQ score, a 4.77 laser-timed run, 4.37 pro-agility, 36-inch vertical, and a 41-foot power ball toss.”

Nice. Are you going to any other national camps upcoming?

“I have been invited to the Rivals Three-Stripe.”

Have you maxed out in the weight room this offseason?

“Yes, sir. My bench is 340, squat 465, and my power clean is 270.”

All great numbers.

“Thank you.”

With recruiting, with schools are showing interest?

“I am receiving interest from Rice, Baylor, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits over the past couple of months?

“Yes, sir. After the Nike Opening, I visited Rice, Baylor, and OU (Oklahoma). I am going back to OU tomorrow.”

How did the OU visit go?

“It went really well. Their facilities are next to none. It was great time talking to Coach (Brian) Odom (LB).”

What is the goal with your visit on Thursday with OU?

“I toured everything previously, this time we are taking another tour. Last time, the school was on their spring break. I was only able to talk to Coach Odom. This time I will get to meet all the coaches and watch their practice.”

That will be fun. The Baylor visit, how did that go?

“It was great as well. We visited Baylor early in the morning. We woke up early, saw their practice, toured the facility and did a photo shoot. While we were doing the shoot, the coaches were evaluating that day’s practice. We did not get to talk to them much during the visit.”

Other than the OU visit, do you have any other planned visits ahead?

“I am planning on going to a Vanderbilt Junior Day this weekend as well. I will go on a couple more visits, but I am not sure when yet. I know I am going to Arkansas’ practice in two days.”

You are a busy guy. Are you playing any other varsity sports for Fayetteville?

“I used to play baseball until my sophomore year, but I have focused more on football. I will throw the discus in track this year.”

For college coaches who may not of you, what type of student-athlete is Quade Mosier?

“I am a great one. I carry a 3.9 GPA and I scored a 25 on the ACT. I get my homework done and I get to class every day on time. I rarely miss school, except for taking a college visit.”

I can’t let you go without asking about your name. I hear Quaid, I think of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “Total Recall”, but I am old, and it is spelled differently. How did your parents decide to name you Quade?

“Honestly, I think they got it out of a book of baby names.”

Quade, it was a pleasure doing the interview with you today. I appreciate your time and wish you luck on all your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Mosier family; Quade Mosier at Baylor and at Oklahoma