Interview: Recruiting for North Carolina LB Ryan Gilmartin picking up in offseason
When we last spoke to Charlotte Christian linebacker Ryan Gilmartin in mid-February recruiting for the 6’1”, 230 pound, tackling machine was really just starting. Wake Forest and Hawaii had offered with dozens showing interest after he posted a stat line of 103 tackles, 5 sacks, 19 tackles for a loss, and 6 pass breakups. Now the North Carolina native has eight offers with the total expected to hit double figures very soon.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview we caught up with the 2014 First-Team All-State performer to see how his recruitment as part of the Class of 2016 is going so far.
So Ryan, catch us up. When we last spoke you had two offers. What other programs have extended offers to you since then?
“Army, Toledo, Coastal Carolina, Garner Webb, and Mercer have offered me.”
Nice. Which schools are showing interest in you?
“Arizona, Stanford, Boston College, N.C. State, Penn State, Michigan State, Duke, Georgia Tech and Ohio University, the Bobcats.”
Which schools have you unofficially visited so far?
“I picked up an offer from West Point then a week later I visited Boston College. It was a great visit. The thing with them is they came down to my school after my visit and had me workout, run through some drills. I am anxious to hear back from them. They should have their decision pretty soon, in the next couple of days here. I’m pumped about that, but my visit went really well.”
What all did you do on your visit?
“We did all the normal stuff like taking a tour of the campus. I got a chance to sit in on defensive meeting. I sat with Coach (Steve) Addazio (BC head coach) for the better part of a half an hour. I watched a practice, a full scrimmage, got a feel for the classrooms and things like that. I got to see how they go through their game day there in Chestnut Hill.”
What did the BC coaches talk to you about when you were there? Have they started talking to you about how they may utilize you if you sign with their program?
“So what they see me as at Boston College is as an inside guy, they run a 4-3 defense. I would be a true Mike. I guess maybe they might put me outside. It all depends on depth there. They told me a ton of times they are only taking seven guys in the 2016 class (on defense). I think maybe they are only taking two backers. I think they really want to evaluate everyone before deciding to throw out the offer or not. It’s smart. They’ve taken a ton of players the last two years and it’s an important decision. They want to make sure I am the right guy.”
Have you been on any other unofficial visits?
“I’m visiting Army on July 20. I think that is the date. I’ll be there for a close friends’ wedding. I’m tying that trip into a visit with some other schools. Ohio is around there and Toledo is near there, schools like that. I’ll try to squeeze some in on the way up or on the way down. Pretty much from the 20th through the end of July we’ll be there. It’ll be like a week to 10 days.”
Are you going to attend any one-day college camps?
“Honestly, me and Coach (Jason) Estep (Charlotte Christian head coach) talked at length about this and unless a school really wants me to come camp to display something like strength, size, lateral ability, or speed I don’t think I’ll camp anymore. I don’t really see the need for it. Unless a school is saying, “if you come camp we’ll offer you.” If they want to see if my film is the same as me playing in person, or whatever it is, unless they really need to see something like that in person I don’t think I’ll be camping anymore.”
How do you see the next couple of months playing out with recruiting?
“I’m looking forward to seeing how these next couple of months play out. Originally I was going to try to commit before the season started. Now it’ll just be when I feel that it is right. It could be as soon as mid-summer or it could be as late as mid-season. Once the right school presents itself I’ll be able to tell that will be the spot where I want to go and where I want to play my next couple of years of football.”
How have some of the offseason exposure camps gone for you? Did you get a Nike SPARQ score?
“My 40 was scratched so I decided not to do it. Why would I risk running anything lower than a 4.58 that I ran at Michigan State? There’s no real point. I did post some good stuff, nothing crazy. The shuttle was good but it was scratched. I ran a 4.07 but did not put my hand down at one point. I ended up with a 4.21 but showing a time in the low 4’s is pretty good. I had a vertical of 34 and I think I threw the Powerball like 43.”
What else have you been doing in the offseason? Have you been hitting the gym hard?
“Lacrosse season took me away from the weights but has helped me lean out a little bit. I’m not as heavy as I was. I’ve added more muscle than just extra weight, which is good for the season because you want to be as fast as you can.”
Now that Lacrosse is over are you back in the gym?
“I’m in the gym virtually every day, but on Sundays. I’m there six days a week. Once school is over workouts start on June 1st for summer football. I’ll be doing summer workouts at 7 am until 9:30. Then I’ll get food then go to my gym and workout from 10:30 to 12:30. (I’m doing) two workouts a day covering speed, agility and lifting weights to get bigger, faster, and stronger. I have to get ready for the upcoming season because we have an absolutely crazy schedule.”
Good luck the rest of this summer with recruiting and your visits. Keep us in the loop on your recruiting updates going forward.
“Thanks, and will do.”
Written by Ryan Wright
Photo credit: Ryan Gilmartin
Photo credit: thecharlotteweekly.com; No. 20 Ryan Gilmartin