Each and every year only a handful of players from New Mexico will get the chance to play football at the college level. Right now there are only 8 players in the state that have a D1 offer. Lots of kids are hearing from smaller schools at this point and some are still awaiting that first offer. One such player is Rio Rancho DE A.C. Crespin. Crespin has been one of the better defensive ends in the state the last couple of seasons. He is still hearing from two D1 schools but is still waiting for that first offer to come his way. We recently had the chance to visit with A.C. to get his thoughts on last season and recruiting, here’s what he had to say.
What is your best memory from this past season?
Taking Artesia to the wire in the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia NM, it had tohave been a sellout with a sea of orange. Plus I sacked Landry Jones twice and also made him fumble twice both of which we recovered.
What are your plans as far as playing in college?
I will play somewhere, and I don’t care the position. DE is my favorite position but I'm big enough to play DT, and fast enough to play LB, I've also always wanted to play FB. All I need is someone to give me the chance, whoever it is definitely won’t be sorry, and the main thing is to get a college education. At the same time though my dream is to play in the NFL one day which I know I have the ability for, I just need the opportunity and guidance. It's really interesting how many of the All Pro players in the NFL came from smaller schools in the MWC, MAC, WAC, C-USA, and Sun Belt, Osi Umenyura played for Troy, James Harrison for Kent State, Michael Strahan for Texas Southern, Urlacher etc. It's like my dad says the cream always rises to the top.
What schools are you currently hearing from a recruiting standpoint?
I'm still talking to UNM and North Texas on a weekly basis. I really like Coach Todd (D-Line Coach) at UNM he is really a genuine person that I would love to play for, as well as he has a ton of experience. Then there is Coach Rausch (D-Line Coach) at North Texas, he is really hands on and energetic which I also like. I could really see myself playing for either one of them. (But if there are any college coaches out there that could use a 6'2" 254lb Athlete, I run a 4.74 forty, and have a 34" Vertical, 6'7" wingspan, I would be interested in going to any school.
What are you going to miss most about high school football?
The playoffs, unfortunately there is no playoff system in D-1 college football. But who knows maybe in the future that'll change. I also think that I will miss the rivalry we had with Cibola we won one and they won one, but ours was more convincing.
What were your stats this season?
I know I had 9 1/2 sacks which for playing RDE in a 3 man front in 5Ais really good off hand I know I had 80 some tackles. 4FF, 2FR.
What are some postseason honors that you have received?
So far I've been named 1st Team All State DL by PrepNewMexico.com; I was named 1st Team All Metro DL by the 19 coaches in the Albuquerque area. And 1st Team All Metro by the Albuquerque Tribune.
What do you think about the talent that NM produces?
I'll name some names; you have to start with Brian Urlacher, Allen Branch, Bobby Newcombe, Hank Baskett, Ryan Cook, Dontrelle Moore & Landry Jones. This is just to name a few, hopefully my name will be amongst those one day, but NM has always been under the radar, we certainly have our share of ballplayers coming out of here.
What's your plan for the off-season?
To win another Team State Wrestling title, as well as an individual state title in the Heavyweight division. I think it will come down to me against Jeremy Lasusky from Manzano. Then I will be running track in the spring probably the 100 meters, some hurdles, and anything else that I could do. And of course lifting, lifting, lifting.
Give me some teammates that are going to have big years in 2008.
Definitely Zach Drapeau, he has to be the #1 LB in the state for 2009 he's already got two years of Varsity under his belt. TJ Harris should also be among the top RB's in the State. He was behind Marcus Williams so a lot of people don’t know a lot about him but they will, he's similar to Mike Love. And then there's Malcolm Butters my boy at LDE this year, he has the size and speed, could be a great OLB in college. The thing with Rio Rancho HS is that it is the largest HS in the state so there's never a shortage of talent.
Thanks Mike and PrepNewMexico.Com for everything you do for NM
Athletes!!
Any school lucky enough to get A.C. will get a kid that is hard working and is quick off the ball. He’s just looking for one school to give him a shot. Here is a link to his highlight video, remember our free 7 day trial offer to view the film
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Interested in an interview with PrepNewMexico.com? Shoot us an email and we can set it up, newmexicoinsider@yahoo.com