Interview: 3-Star 2020 California DT Ricky Correia is Back Smashing Offenses

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The recruiting world better be on the lookout for Class of 2020 defensive tackle Ricky Correia this season. Correia burst onto the scene as a sophomore earning four-star recruiting status after a 62-tackle season. A knee injury curtailed his junior year to three games but was still a force in those games with 11 stops, a tackle for a loss and a forced fumble. Now the 6-4, 330-pound, one-man gang is back in his environment with Fresno’s Central High School dominating opposing Division I offensive lines. Correia has produced eight stops, a half sack, and 2.5 tackles for a loss while taking on linemen so his linebacker can make plays in the Grizzlies 3-0 start. Although sites have downgraded him to a three-star recruit, he is still a four-star talent that will make some lucky college football team very happy in the near future.

With offers on the table from Arizona and Colorado, and a great start to his senior season, I spent time with Correia receiving an overall briefing.

*Click link for June 18, 2019, RNG interview with Ricky Correia

Interview

Ricky, when we last spoke you were going into camp season and beginning your summer workouts. What did you work on over the summer to prepare for your senior season?

“I worked on getting stronger. That was a big improvement for me this offseason. I was told that my strength is what I needed to work on. I improved my max numbers in the weight room. I can see it paying off the field as well.”

What maxes did you achieve in the weight room this summer?

“My squat max was 425 and my bench was 310.”

Nice. Did you go to any college camps this summer?

“Yes. I went to a Sac State (Sacramento) and a Cal camp.”

Tell me about how the Cal camp went.

“It went pretty good. I won the Defensive Lineman MVP award. I talked to their defensive line coach, Coach (Andrew) Browning, at their camp. It went well.”

How about the Sac State camp?

“It went pretty good as well. All the defensive line coaches from the Pac-12 were there. I talked to them at the camp. That camp went well.”

From all the coaches you took instruction from at the camps, what were some of the things that you learned that is helping you this season?

“I learned to have a faster get off. During the camps, I was stutter stepping. I learned how to put my weight forward in a better way and how to attack offensive lineman as fast as I can.”

The Tigers are off to a 3-0 start with the defense locking down teams to 12 points per game. What are the strengths of the team on that side of the ball?

“We work well as a team. That is our biggest thing. Our coach has been preaching that to us all offseason and now during the season. He has preached us on having that dog mentality and making gang tackles. We have to keep that mentality going forward with tougher teams on our schedule coming up.”

What have you been doing on the field to wreck opposing offensive game plans?

“I’m being a beast out there. I am taking on double-teams, splitting them, and getting to the ball. I have delivered some big hits this season already getting my team fired up.”

Which areas of your game are feeling good and unstoppable?

“I feel like my get off is much improved. I feel quicker and faster than the guys blocking me. If they can’t use their hands on me because I am on them already, I can disrupt a lot of plays.”

What goals have you set for this season on the field?

“The goal is to try to get to the state championship, that is a big goal for me.”

You play Paso Robles on Friday, what kind of showdown will that be for you and the Grizzlies?

“I think it will be a good tune-up game. We have some big games coming up. We are trying some new schemes this week. We want to see what we can do with our athletes on both sides of the ball.”

Closing out with recruiting. You have the two offers but which schools are showing interest?

“UCLA, Cal, Arizona State, Oregon, Fresno State, and San Jose State are all showing interest.”

Are there any visits coming up for you?

“Not yet. I am talking with Colorado about getting an official there, but no date has been set yet. I may visit Cal, Oregon, Arizona State, and Arizona on unofficial visits for a game.”

Ricky, always great catching up with you. I appreciate your time and wish you nothing but the best.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Correia family; Ricky Correia at Cal