Interview: 4-Star 2021 Notre Dame DT Commit Gabriel Rubio is Set to Dominate Again
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
There are certain milestone stats associated with football that are impressive regardless of the position and the level of play. On offense, if a player reaches 1,000-yards receiving or rushing or a quarterback tosses 25-plus touchdown passes, mission accomplished. On defense, if a player goes north of 100 tackles, produces 10 or more sacks, and 15 or more tackles for a loss, consider that season a great success. But those kind of stats on defense are typically left only for linebackers. During the 2019 season, Class of 2021 defensive tackle Gabriel Rubio dominated Missouri 3A competition at such a high level he obliterated all bench marks and notions for getting busy in the trenches, and he did it all while also starting at left tackle on offense.
When opposing offenses were preparing for Lutheran of St. Charles County a year ago, best bet every decision the head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterback made game planning and with their in-game strategy was built around avoiding No. 68. Not relying solely on his 6-6, 305-pound, frame, Rubio overwhelmed the competition with technique, strength, and athleticism ending his junior run with 117 tackles, 61 solo, 46 tackles for a loss, 18 sacks, three fumble recoveries, five forced fumbles and batted away two passes. The culmination of the efforts brought All-State, All-Conference, and Conference Defensive Player of the Year accolades his way.
As the legend of Rubio grew, so did his recruiting status. Now listed as a four-star, the St. Peter’s area product saw 29 collegiate programs offer. With a big decision and a list of who’s who offering, on June 15, Rubio verbally committed to Notre Dame able to focus on his senior season without the burdens of recruiting circling overhead.
In and RNG stylized Q&A, Rubio sat down for an in-depth one-on-one covering his play on the field, offseason workouts, and why the Fighting Irish is his ideal fit.
Interview
Gabriel, you are a max effort guy on every play, and a two-way starter. Going into last season, how did you condition yourself for the grind of playing both sides of the ball with the intensity you bring to the game?
“Practice is always supposed to be your conditioning; if you are not going full speed in practice, you are doing it wrong in my team’s eyes. There is always room for extra work, I run hills and do sprints. We did 100-yard suicides, five yards touch and go back. It is great being a part of a program that takes conditioning and physical fitness aspect into account, especially playing both ways, so we can outrun and out gas our opponents.”
On defense, you eat up offensive players like Pac-Man gobbling someone up with each step up-field. What drives your passion to play at such a high level?
“When I was younger, the passion started to build as I got towards high school. I started to see I could create a career out of this and do something I love. It took off from there. I developed the mindset that if I am going out to play for fun, I better take it seriously and do my best on every single play because I don’t know when my last play will be. That continues to drive me.”
Lining up in the interior of the Cougars defensive front, what were some of the challenges you faced last season and how did you overcome those adversities?
“There were a couple of plays throughout the season where dudes were bigger and heavier than me that I could not go through or around as easily because they were bigger; that threw a wrench in the system. I overcome it by seeing their weaknesses – if they were slow off the ball, hand down on run or light for a pass. I’d look for the balance in their stance. Those triggers I would have for that play. If they had a heavy set on hand and looking straight at me, I knew it would be a run. I would get into a run stopping stance and use a run stopping technique to fish out the play.”
Once the season ended, what did you feel were the strengths to your game as a defender?
“I have an excellent first step, I got off the ball quicker than most. Because I have a tall-long body with long arms, I can put more distance between myself and offensive linemen and I can use more moves. My motor is one of my strongest assets. Like we talked about, it is all or nothing, balls to the wall for me on each play. Another thing is, I am a pretty strong dude. I can throw around the undersized offensive linemen to get where I want to go. My knowledge of the game tops it off.”
Where did you line up on offense in 2019?
“On offense, I was our left tackle. I could move all throughout the line if they needed me too. My entire focus for that position was to destroy and put anyone across from me in the ground if they tried to get past me.”
Love it. Are you keeping the same position for your senior season?
“On offense I am staying at same position. On defense I am moving around this season. I will be more at defensive end and going back down in the interior at nose guard and tackle.”
What have you worked on this offseason as an offensive player?
“This entire offseason, we have a new offensive line coach, I have worked on a new form and technique and learned new ways to block. We will use different combo blocks and shed and hold. We have new techniques we are trying to learn; it is the best technique I have ever been taught my entire high school career. Learning this new technique can only add another layer to the game for me.”
Going the other way, which areas of your game have you worked on this most this spring and summer?
“There is always a point to stay conditioned for me. Two of the biggest things I have been working on is staying low, especially when the game goes on when I get tired and rise up, and the second thing is experimenting with new pass rush moves. I am figuring out new ways to get past offensive linemen.”
Let’s stick with that. You got the swim move, bull-rush, and a rip-and-pull going on come passing downs, are you adding any new moves to tool belt for the 2020 season?
“Yes, there is always room for new moves. My new moves are a wash, chop, chop-slap-rip, club, head bob, slap, and a swim. There are infinite combinations I can do to be honest. I am still figuring out how many I can pull from the upper level guys in college and the NFL.”
During the spring months, what was your workout routine to add strength to your game?
“Throughout the entire quarantine we worked out every day, and in the hottest part of the day to get used to the weather for the summer. Recently we’ve been doing two a days. We workout in the morning and at night after practice. Those workouts have been anywhere from weight lifting to sprint training.”
Nice. What have you posted for maxes in the weight room?
“My deadlift is 605, I got 545 on squat, and I can hang clean 225 pounds four times.”
On June 15 you announced your verbal commitment to Notre Dame. What was it about the university and the program that let you know that was the ideal fit for you?
“First and foremost was the academics. Being an Ivy League school and competing at the high level they do, I was drawn to it. Notre Dame has a family atmosphere, and they have it with everyone. As soon as I stepped on the campus, it was almost like coming back home. It felt right. Everyone is very friendly and everyone asks how you are doing, all the players do the same too. The other thing was the coaching staff. Coach (Brian) Kelly (head coach) and his staff are one of the best in the country.”
When did you last visit South Bend?
“We went on a vacation visit last month to South Bend. We went up there to stay, get a lay of the land, and check out the local places. Our trip was not associated with Notre Dame football. It was just for enjoyment.”
Assuming all opens back up soon, when might you next visit Notre Dame?
“All the commits and I, we are planning on going on our officials on the same day, but we do not know when that will be. If everything is normal, I will go to three games this season.”
Which games?
“Navy, Clemson, and Stanford.”
Are you helping with recruiting?
“Definitely. It is a new responsibility to bring in other recruits to show them what your school is all about. We are focused on getting running backs and offensive linemen and a linebacker. We have some secondary guys and some of the big guys right now are doing all that. I believe we are ahead with a couple of them, some have interests elsewhere. It is a tug of war between schools.”
When you speak with prospective Fighting Irish recruits, what is your pitch?
“I normally go to them, say what’s up on Twitter or through a text. In the text I introduced myself, I am Gabriel Rubio, and give them the rundown about being a commit. After that, I see if they have any questions. Normally they come back with questions that are similar to each other, why did you commit there, why did you commit early, and about the coaching staff, what are they like? Some do ask if the other commits are nice and do you guys talk a lot? All leads to shedding positive light on everyone involved with this.”
Gabriel, it was a lot of fun learning more about you and your skills on the field today. Thanks for your time and insight. Wishing you and the Cougars success this summer preparing for the 2020 season.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Rubio family; Gabriel Rubio