Rising Star Interview: 2021 Texas DE Tunmise Adeleye Covers Season, Visits to Aggies and Longhorns

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Sometimes on the high school football recruiting trail one comes across a young player and instantly realize he has “it.” There may not be enough positive descriptive words to eloquently summarize the play of Tunmise Adeleye on the field other than he has it and he is a beast in the making.

Going through the rigors of a Texas 6A season out of the Katy-Houston area is no walk in the park. For a player to show up and show out here speaks volumes, especially for a sophomore, and Adeleye is getting it done. The 6-4, 260-pound, defensive end is far ahead of the curve making a big impact for Tompkins High School. In stats posted through five games for him, he has come up with 20 stops, 14 solo, 13 tackles for a loss, and seven sacks.

There is a bigger picture of the kind of change going on for the Falcons that Adeleye is helping bring about, a winning culture. When the 2017 season ended, Tompkins remained winless posting an 0-9 record. Through seven games, the Falcons are 6-1 earning respect throughout the Lone Star State. The revival of the program is also bringing college coaches to the yard leading to six early offers for Adeleye. The rising star, who is currently an unranked prospect, has offers from Texas A&M, Alabama, Baylor, Houston, UTSA, and Texas. If Adeleye displays any willingness to leave the state of Texas for college, one can easily see a stockpile of scholarship offers in the immediate future.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Adeleye for an in-depth one-on-one covering his sophomore campaign, recruiting process, and visits to Texas A&M and Texas.

Interview

Tunmise, outside of one game this season the Falcons have been nasty on defense shutting down the opposition. What all is working well for you guys on defense this year?

“Defensively, it is a mindset that we have. Last year people playing defense were not attacking the ball. We have a new culture this year and a new defensive coordinator. We have new people coming in installing a new culture on the team. We are buying into the culture and it is showing on the field, we are doing well as a team this year. We have a lot of key players on defense and a lot of first team All-District candidates.”

After the Katy game, you guys had a big bounce back win over Mayde Creek (49-28). How did that game go for the team overall?

“Defensively, in the first half we came out in a lull. We had a heart felt message at halftime from the coaches and came out with something to prove in the second half. We held them to nine yards in the second half. Our offense has been clicking all year. We have a great running back in RJ Smith, he has over 1,000 yards rushing in seven games and may lead all running backs in yards in the Houston area. Our defense fixed it in the second half to get the win.”

Which game has been your best this season?

“My best game this season was against Seven Lakes (Katy). I had a safety and a sack at end of the game to stop them. We got them off the field to get the win (15-10).”

What are some of the things you are doing well that you would consider to be the strengths of your game?

“I think my get off and use of my hands are strengths. I am fast off the ball, it is hard for an offensive tackle to get me when I am two steps in and he is taking his first. My physical strength is another strength to my game. I have gotten a lot stronger.”

Which parts of your game are you constantly working on in practice?

“I am always working on reading the offensive line blocking down and understanding ball in relation to me. I am also always working on reading how the tackle is moving.”

You get Morton Ranch on Friday, what kind of game are you expecting from their offense?

“Early in the year they were heavy pass team, we have a lot built in to stop the pass. They have a good offensive line. Katy ran on us, I am guessing they will try to do that as well. The running game started the passing game for Katy. We are ready for their pass and we are geared to stop their run.”

Your play on the field is attracting a crowd off of it with college coaches. How many offers do you have now?

“I have six offers.”

Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?

“TCU and Notre Dame are the main ones.”

Have you had a chance to see any college games on unofficial visits this season?

“Yeah. I have been to A&M twice, Texas, Notre Dame, and TCU.”

How did the A&M visit go?

“They won the game Kentucky game and played tough against Clemson. It was good to see both games. A&M has a new culture on the team under Coach (Jimbo) Fisher (head coach). Plus, they are close to home. There are a lot of kids at A&M from the Katy and Houston areas.”

What about the Texas visit, how did that go?
“I was there when they played USC. During that visit, that is when I got the offer from Texas. That was a really good game against a ranked opponent, and they keep winning. I think the old Texas style of ball is back. They are building the culture to be a power house there under Coach (Tom) Herman (head coach).”

Do you have any upcoming visits planned?

“None out of state but I am planning on going back up to A&M and to Texas again.”

When college coaches talk to you, what are they telling you they like about your talents on the field?

“They talk about my ability to pressure the quarterback, my pass rush, and they like the drive I have on the field.”

Photo credit: Adeleye family; Tunmise Adeleye at Texas A&M and Notre Dame