2014 DB Darius West Talks Recruiting, Michigan State and More
2014 DB Darius West Talks Recruiting, Michigan State and More
Q: Darius, welcome to the program.
A: Hey, how you doing?
Q: Have you always been an athlete or is it something that came a little bit later in your life?
A: I’ve been doing it since I was young. Both of my parents were athletes.
Q: You’re blessed then. You didn’t have a chance, did ya?
A: Yeah.
Q: Does Michigan State still have a legitimate shot for you to come play for them?
A: Yeah, they do. I think I’m gonna visit on the 13th or 14th,something like that.
Q: So talk about the process. You have so many schools that want you. Are you excited about it or is it getting kind of old?
A: No, it’s still very exciting. I’m getting newer things, talking to different kinds of coaches. Being able to go places, going to different states and see other places. It’s been real nice. It’s a real busy thing though. You gotta be dedicated to it. But it’s cool.
Q: What do you think you do best right now? What do these schools like most about you?
A: For one, they like my size. My size, my speed and my explosiveness.
Q: What do you think you gotta get better at? What are they telling you you gotta work on?
A: Three coaches have told me I need to work on my hips...hip quickness and footwork and stuff like that. Really, that’s basically it.
Q: A lot of schools talk about you playing safety and some say you can play corner. Does that say a lot about your athleticism, that you can play either one?
A: Yeah, I can play corner. I played corner in high school and I’m playing safety my senior year. So it should be pretty exciting.
Q: What are some things you’re involved in off the field that don’t necessarily have anything to do with football?
A: One thing, we’ve got this thing called Big Brothers and Big Sisters program that runs in our school. Some little kids that go to different schools don’t really have a big brother or big sister or they don’t have a good household, you know? I got a little brother and I got a little sister. So every day after school I go there and hang with them…do homework with them, take them outside to play, teach them a few things or whatever.
Q: I was told by someone from your school that, unlike a lot of the guys that do it because it’s expected, you really love it and enjoy it. Is that true?
A: Yeah, I love going there.
Q: What is it about helping kids that appeals to you, Darius?
A: What appeals to me is they don’t get their parents to see that. If I get an opportunity to give them that chance I’m just gonna take the chance and do that, teach them skills. I can let them know there’s something there for them and stuff like that.
Q: Have you been on campus at Michigan State yet at all, for an unofficial or anything like that?
A: Yeah, I went up there for a camp and I went down there to watch a Notre Dame game.
Q: So what are your impressions of Michigan State, just of the facilities and the school?
A: Oh, they’re really outstanding. It’s real nice. When I went to the game the crowd was very electric and it was real exciting.
Q: Is your primary recruiter Harlon Barnett?
A: Uh, yeah.
Q: Have you also spent some time with Coach Narduzzi?
A: Coach Narduzzi came to my school two Fridays ago and talked to me about… I was supposed to make my decision yesterday but I decided to back out and just give it some more time.
Q: So have you set a new timeframe for making that decision?
A: I haven’t really set it yet. I just wanna take a few visits and see.
Q: Good for you. You might as well take your time and make sure it’s the right spot.
A: Yes, definitely.
Q: When you play football, you play fearless. You love to hit people. Where does that come from?
A: It’s always been in my blood, I guess. My dad was just like me. My dad did the most dynamic things so I guess I get it from my dad. You have to make contact.
Q: We wish you the best. You’re a fine young man.
A: Thank you.
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