Update Interview with 4-Star 2021 Notre Dame DT Commit Gabriel Rubio
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
In a singular view, what Gabriel Rubio did on the field against 3A Missouri offenses a year ago was pretty amazing. The 6-6, 297-pound, defensive tackle amassed 117 tackles, 61 solo, with 46 tackles for a loss, 18 sacks, three fumble recoveries, five forced fumbles and knocked two passes out of the air. In a larger context, Rubio was also lining up at left tackle for his Lutheran of St. Charles County squad adding a heavier payload to his efforts. The accumulated productivity brought All-State honors as the Cougars marched to a 10-3 season. With Rubio’s four-star status came 29 scholarship offers. On June 15, the recruiting process ended for the St. Peter’s area product with a verbal commitment to Notre Dame.
After one game into the Cougars’ 2020 season, Rubio sat down for a catch-up interview giving us insight to how his offseason workouts are applying to the early part of his senior season.
*Click link for the July 3 RNG interview with Gabriel Rubio
Interview
Gabe, we spoke a few weeks ago then going over the details to your game that you’ve been working on this summer. If you will, update us. Which technical areas of your game have received the most attention this summer?
The most attention technical wise was using my hands more efficiently and working on my get off. Getting high, I still have a problem with that.
With that work, where are you seeing the improvements already this season?
Definitely on the field my improvements are shining there. In practice, I am rep-ing it every day where it becomes part of my muscle memory. Everything is becoming more instinctive and second nature.
You are also at a position of need on offense at left tackle. In what ways are you seeing that part of your game improving?
We got a new offensive line coach this year. The entire offensive line had to relearn their technique under his teaching. We are picking up the pieces and putting them all together. We did an okay job this week, but we know we can do better.
The effort you give in the weight room is body building kind of stuff. What have you been doing to increase your overall strength and power this summer?
We’ve been doing outside workouts. I believe I told you we had a weight rack that we were using, and that we had some of the school’s weights. We brought those back to the school, and since then we’ve been training in the heat getting used to that and working to make sure we are in shape.
This was just touched on, going deeper. So you can grind for four quarters going both ways, how have you been conditioning your body?
Running hills, sprints, and stuff like that. To be honest, there is nothing like being in a game to condition you. It always takes a couple of games to acclimate and to get into game mode, especially with our tempo for four or five quarters. We do five quarters for that extra effort needed in a game.
When did you guys start fall camp?
We started camp back in June, maybe the end of June. June 20th, that is when we started. There was a dead week at the end of July and then came back to get ready for our first game last week. We did not have our spring camp, we were in lockdown then. We are figuring it all out. Outside of practice, we are getting together for extra work.
With all that you guys are going through, the first game may not have turned out as desired against Helias, but how did the team look?
Our team is pretty young. Most of the freshmen lacked high school game experience. We got the jitters out and we came together as the game went along. We were undisciplined for most of the game.
What were your stats in Week 1?
I had five tackles and two hurries. Not my best work, but we are all getting back at it. Weird times.
Looking this week at Fort Zumwalt West, what are you expecting to see against them?
We are expecting them to do the same thing, they run a similar style of offense. We showed our weaknesses against that on defense but we have a different strategy on how to approach them this week.
Since your commitment to Notre Dame, how have you continued to build that bond with the coaching staff?
Coach (Mike) Elston (DL) and I talk a couple of times every week. Coach (Brian) Kelly (head coach), I talk to him almost every week. I am getting to know the coaches even more. I don’t know everyone but I am familiar with everyone.
Are you picking up any pointers as an offensive and/or defensive lineman from them for the upcoming season?
No, not yet. I don’t think I have ever asked them, but that is a great idea.
Gabe, thanks for your time today and wishing you and the team the desired result this week against Fort Zumwalt West.
Thank you.
Rubio’s Reported Offer Sheet: Ball State, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Note Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt
Photo credit: Rubio family; Gabriel Rubio