by Lee Brecheen
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| Gene Whitlock |
August 17, 2011 - One of the most exciting football players in the Alexandria Metro Area with a ball in his hand is Athlete Gene Whitlock of Pineville High School. I was able to see five games on film last year of this kid, and wow what he can do with a football is a sight to see. The most exciting athlete in space last year that I saw play for the 2012 class was Gene Whitlock. Gene stands only 5-8 and weighs only 153 pounds, but from the way he plays the game you would think he was 6-2, 190 pounds.
Gene is the starting Wide Receiver, Punt Returner, Kickoff Returner, and sometimes he gets the ball in the slot as a RB. He’s pretty much everything to his team as a weapon and difference maker. Gene has such good hips, and he can turn and switch directions so fast every time he gets the ball. I’m also surprised by his vertical because he’s only 5-8, but he can get up and catch many footballs thrown his way against bigger and taller players.
I love this kid as a difference maker in IAA as a Slot Wide Receiver or Special Teams difference maker because of his quickness, 4.45/40 speed, and toughness. I’ve seen this kid take some big time licks and get right up like it never happened which also impresses me for such a little guy.
Over the years Pineville has produced some good football players like DE Kenny Mixon (ALL SEC at LSU and the NFL a few years), current FS Damian Jackson (6-2, 205) who has a chance to get drafted high after this year at Ole Miss, current center Mason Martin, and I would put Athlete Gene Whitlock in there as a kid to remember as a sleeper only because of his size.
Read more about Pineville High School and Gene in the new 2011 Louisiana Football Magazine preview issue that’s hot off the press and can be ordered at www.lafootballmagazine.com/store.
Hope you enjoy the interview below written by Mark Clements.
Interview by Mark Clements
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| Gene Whitlock |
LAFM: For starters, what’s your current height, weight and forty time?
GW: I’m 5’8”, I weigh 153 and I run a 4.49.
LAFM: Are you originally from Louisiana?
GW: Yes I am, Pineville.
LAFM: Which teams did you root for growing up?
GW: I wanted to go to LSU or Southeastern Louisiana.
LAFM: When did you first start playing football?
GW: I started playing football in 8th grade.
LAFM: Has it always been a big part of your family? Have you had any family members who played football in the past?
GW: Yes sir, I had a famous cousin named Tim Brown who played for the Raiders.
LAFM: Has Tim helped you out in your football career?
GW: Yes sir, we used to hang out a lot. I don’t really see him anymore because I moved to Pineville and he still lives out of town.
LAFM: Do you play any other sports?
GW: I play basketball.
LAFM: What position do you play?
GW: I play shooting guard.
LAFM: We have you listed as an athlete, so what all positions do you play?
GW: I play wide receiver, quarterback, running back and defensive back.
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| Gene Whitlock |
LAFM: Which would you say is your strongest position and where do you see yourself being recruited?
GW: I think I see myself playing wide receiver.
LAFM: Is there anyone in college or the Pros that you look up to or try to model your game after?
GW: Raymond Roberts, we’re both quick and he taught me a lot of moves to use to get off the line and stuff. So, I look after him.
LAFM: What do you think is your biggest strength as a player and what part of your game are you trying to improve upon most next year?
GW: My biggest strength is that I’m really fast so I can be a deep threat and I need to work on my hands more.
LAFM: Which colleges have you heard from and have you received any offers?
GW: I’ve gotten letters from LSU, Southeastern, Grambling, Southern, Baylor and Texas Tech. Other schools are waiting to receive my ACT score. I haven’t taken it yet.
LAFM: Which schools stick out right now at the top of your list?
GW: My favorite would be LSU, but Southeastern has a scholarship lined up for my right now. So, if LSU doesn’t work out, I’ll be at Southeastern.
LAFM: Have you thought about what you might want to study in college?
GW: I think I want to be a sports medical person.
LAFM: What are some goals you’ve set for next season, for yourself and for the team?
GW: Individually, I set a goal to make All-State this year and our team goal is to make the playoffs and make it to the championship game.
LAFM: Which school is your favorite to play against, or which game gets you the most fired up each year?
GW: West Monroe, because they’re known not to lose.
LAFM: What are some of the most memorable games or plays you’ve been a part of?
GW: Yeah, Captain Shreve last year because I had 7 catches and 185 yards and 2 touchdowns.
LAFM: And lastly can you give us your current GPA and ACT score?
GW: My current GPA is a 2.9. My ACT is set in September and that’ll be the first time.
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