Interview: 4-Star 2020 Arizona DE Damian Sellers Updates Growing Offer Sheet and Fall Camp
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Year after year, Saguaro High School is always one of the top teams not only in Arizona but in the nation. The Sabercats produce some of the best emerging collegiate talent in the Grand Canyon State thanks to guys like Damian Sellers. Sellers spent his sophomore season racking up 56 stops with 27 tackles for a loss, 11.5 sacks, and 10 quarterback hurries helping his squad to a 12-2 record with a 4A state title trophy going up on the mantle. All the hard work for Sellers and the team has brought the collegiate scouts to the yard.
Sellers is the prototypical defensive end/outside linebacker entering the 2018 campaign listed at 6-3, 225 pounds. His size, speed, and productivity has not been overlooked by college coaches with 12 offers sitting on the table. Among the many ready to add him to their 2020 recruiting class includes Arizona State, Alabama, Tennessee, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Washington, Oregon, Memphis, Utah, and USC.
In a Recruiting News Guru stylized catch-up interview, I sat down with the four-star ranked defender for a quick one-on-one covering his offseason workouts, growing recruiting process, and the offer he picked up from Alabama head coach Nick Saban at a Crimson Tide camp this summer.
*Click link for April 5, 2018, RNG video interview with Damian Sellers
Interview
Damian, what did you focus on improving with your skillset this offseason?
“With my skillset, I focused on my hand movement and being faster off the ball, my get off, and my overall speed. Speed was big for me since I gained 15-20 pounds since last season.”
Where did you see the biggest growth in your game over the spring and summer months?
“The amount of moves I added. My hands have improved a lot.”
What new moves did you add to your game?
“My old thing was to bull rush and speed rush to beat over kids. I have added more push-pull and spins, and some other new things with my hands, to make my pass rush even more valuable.”
Did you attend any college camps this summer?
“Yes. I went to a Nick Saban camp. I did really well out there, I got an offer while I was there.”
Congratulations on the offer.
“Thank you.”
What did you do well at the Alabama camp to earn the offer?
“I outworked everyone there. There were a couple other kids in my position group they were looking at as well. There were a couple of us getting looked out, I believe I stood out. I was being a leader out there. I did well with my form.”
Since we spoke last, your recruitment has taken off. How many offers do you have now?
“I have 12 offers now.”
Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
“Florida, TCU, Michigan State, Texas and a few other schools are all showing interest.”
Did you take any unofficial visits this offseason?
“Yes. I went to USC and Arizona State this summer, and when I was at the Alabama camp I visited.”
Do you have any planned for this fall?
“Nothing planned yet, but I have been talking to a few schools to get out for some games.”
The 2018 season is fast approaching, how have fall practices gone for the Sabercats?
“Our practices have been going well. Everyone is coming together as a team. We all work well together as a team. I think we will have a good season.”
You guys open with Poston Butte (San Tan Valley, AZ), what kind of challenge will they give you guys?
“They are an in-state team, we are not taking them for granted. For us, we are covering everything to make sure we are ready physically.”
The next two games are big ones as well lining up against Liberty (NV) and Helix (CA). What has you excited about those out of state non-conference games?
“We are real excited for those games. We have a chance to prove ourselves against tough two out of state teams. We are preparing for them now.”
Are there any other games on the schedule you are excited to play this year?
“Yes. Chaparral. It is out of conference, they are a division above us. That is a rivalry. We did not get to play them last year. That will be a fun game this year.”
Last question. What goals have you set for the 2018 season?
“I’m focused on having a good season. I want to break the school sack record. The holder of the record is my position coach. We tease each other about it all the time. I think he had 42 for his career, but I am not sure what the single season is.”
Damian, good luck chasing the record, I hope you get it, and thanks for your time today.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Sellers family; Damian Sellers at Arizona State and Alabama