Louisiana Football: Interview with Mandeville 2021 OL Mackey Maillho
Written by Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3
Mandeville had a very successful season in 2019 as the Skippers finished 10-4 and went all the way to the 5A state quarterfinals. With several leaders returning in 2020, Mandeville is looking to make another deep run in the postseason. One of these returning standout players will be senior offensive lineman Mackey Maillho.
Maillho is a 6’8”, 350-pound, beast who possesses great strength and footwork to battle in the trenches after the snap. Maillho also has tremendous quickness and blocking ability in both the running and passing game. This class of 2021 recruit currently has five college offers and is also drawing interest from Louisiana Tech and Texas Tech.
Maillho is not only a great leader by working hard on the football field and in the weight room but also holds a 3.0 GPA in the classroom.
In an exclusive Recruiting News Guru interview, I caught up with the star Mandeville offensive lineman to discuss his career at Mandeville and get an update on his recruiting process.
Interview
Maillho, how would you grade your individual performance in your junior season and why?
“Out of a scale of 10 I would grade myself a solid 8.5, because this was my first real year growing up and starting varsity for the first time. I grew up and realized the potential my coaches saw in me, and that I could take this very far in life.”
What was your most memorable moment in 2019?
“My most memorable moment was when we played Alexandria at home. I went up against Jacobian Guillory and we won at the last second due to a missed field goal. The entire team ran on the field and were celebrating, since this was the first playoff run most of the players have had in high school.”
What are your strengths on the football field?
“My strengths on the football field are “close quarter combat.” I’m pretty quick and agile for being so large, which helps during the run and pass game, but I’m also fast enough to get to linebacker depth.”
Did you receive any honors?
“I did not receive any individual honors. Although the entire O-line got an award for most improved, because we were a very new and young O-line in the beginning but built chemistry.”
What type of challenges did you face in your junior season?
“Some challenges I faced junior year were playing games on a Saturday morning at 11:00 and also playing a “dawg” of a team, Slidell, who will also be a battle this year.”
How did you overcome this challenge?
“I overcame all my challenges by having all my brothers by my side pushing to finish each and every rep 110 percent of the time. Another person that helped me was my O-line coach, Christian Dragna, because he saw the field potential in me and helped me also become way better. And also my head coach, Hutch Gonzales, for pushing me in the weight room because he saw the potential at first and now I see it and this has all happened because of him.”
What is your practice and workout schedule during the offseason?
“As of right now I live in my home gym. Basically, I workout most of the day with my guys from the team and then also having Zoom calls and going over plays so that when all the dust settles we will be ready for everything.”
What are you working on the most this offseason?
“My ability to play at a lower pad level and also losing the baby fat I still have. That is what I’m working on most.”
What are your maxes in the weight room?
“My maxes in the weight room are: squat 495, bench 315, power clean 315, and deadlift 515.”
What do you like most about playing on the offensive line?
“The trenches, that’s what I love the most. I like being “dawg” nasty and mauling people play after play until they quit.”
Is there a current NFL player that you try to model your game after?
“Zach Streif is the NFL offensive lineman I look to model after because of his size. It shows that I can become way better.”
Do you have any college offers?
“My college offers are South Alabama, Southeastern Louisiana, University of Louisiana-Lafayette, New Mexico State University, and Northwestern State University.”
Are there any other schools showing you interest at this time?
“Other schools that are showing interest are Louisiana Tech and Texas Tech.”
Have you been to any college camps?
“I have been to a few; South Alabama and the LSU Offensive Line camps have been my favorite.”
Have you been on any college visits?
“I’ve been to Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette, and South Alabama for visits. All three were amazing.”
What is your GPA?
“My GPA is a 3.0.”
What do you like the most about playing at Mandeville?
“The crazy atmosphere of football that the schools brings to game nights is what I like most about playing for Mandeville.”
Do you have any early goals for your senior season?
“Some early goals I have for my senior season are to bench over 350, squat over 500, dead-lift over 600, and power clean over 350.”
Do you have a favorite quote?
““Iron sharpens iron.” I surround myself with positive people who will help me become a better version of myself each day.”
Thank you for your time and good luck in your senior season.
“Thank you, sir.”
Photo credit: Twitter.com; Mandeville OL Mackey Maillho during his visit to Louisiana Tech
Photo credit: Twitter.com; Mandeville OL Mackey Maillho at an LSU camp