Recruiting Interview: CB Corey Straughter, Neville High School
by Jace LeJeune
Neville High School has been one of the best high school football programs in the last decade. Over the years, they have the fourth most state championships for Louisiana High Schools trailing only John Curtis, Haynesville, and Evangel Christian. The school has also produced some great players such as John Diarse (former LSU Wide receiver), Rashard Lawrence (LSU committ), and Kavontae Turpin (TCU). Just to name a few, but maybe the next great player to come out of this school is the guy we are going to interview today. Neville CB Corey Straughter has all the intangibles to be great. He can make plays when the ball is in the air and he is a great tackler. There are a lot of great defensive players this year such as Phidarian Mathis, JaCorion Andrews, Kendrick Marbles, Jaiden Cole, Robert Williams, Will Anders, and others who can play at the D-I level, but this year could be Corey Straughter’s year. Lee Brecheen thinks that Straughter is one of the best defensive backs in the state. “Corey Straughter does everything well,” Brecheen said. “He can hit you, cover you, and is a big time playmaker.” Currently, Corey Straughter is wide open for colleges, but he has the talent to play anywhere. Read more about Corey Straughter as he talks about winning a second straight state championship, their rivalry with Edna Karr, his skill set, and how he competes with all the other great players at Neville High School in today’s recruiting interview!
Corey Straughter shows what kind of playmaker he is with the ball in his hands.
LAFM: What is your name, age, and position?
Corey Straughter, 17, Cornerback.
LAFM: What is your height and weight?
6’0 170 Ibs
LAFM: What is your act score and GPA?
18 ACT, 3.4 GPA
LAFM: What is your 40 yard time?
4.45
LAFM: What were your stats from last year?
34 Tackles, 1 Int, 10 PBU’s, 4 Touchdowns
LAFM: What football camps have you attended over the summer?
I’ve been to TCU. I plan on visiting some more school’s before the summer ends.
LAFM: You said that you were wide open for colleges. What would be your dream school to play for if they offered you?
It’s not really a dream school growing up. I didn’t have any favorite teams. It was really just players so schools didn’t really play a factor.
LAFM: Since you were talking about players, what college or NFL player do you compare yourself to and why?
Darrelle Revis, because he is really a technician and that’s what I try to mold my game on.
LAFM: Has Rashard Lawrence or any other players given you advice on how to deal with the recruiting process?
Of course, they just say have fun throughout the process. Don’t let it stress me out. Pray about it and do what’s best for me.
LAFM: What is some advice that you will give to some of your teammates?
That it’s all a business for schools, and do what’s best for you. Don’t get caught up in a school’s name.
LAFM: What does it mean for you to be a part of a program that wins so often like Neville High School?
It’s a blessing. It has allowed me to play on big stages to showcase my abilities which has abled me to be recruited.
LAFM: The team has played Edna Karr five of the last six years in the dome. Why do you think everytime Neville goes to the state championship Edna Karr is there as well in a tough classification?
Edna Karr is always reloading with talent each year. They are always just as good as us each year. They always find a ways to win games.
LAFM: What are your strengths as a defensive back?
I think I have all the assets a defensive back should have. I try to focus on the technical part of the position, so that helps me as well.
LAFM: What are things that you need to improve on?
It’s always things to improve on. I want to make my weaknesses strong, and my strength’s even stronger. That’ll help me to become an all around defensive back.
LAFM: Neville has won the last two state championships. If you had to play a football game with the 2014 team and the 2015 team, which team will win and why?
2014 team. We had a lot of talent. We also had the best player in the state that year in Kavontae Turpin. Anytime he’s on your team, it’s always an advantage.
LAFM: The team has a lot of dominant athletes on the field with Rashard Lawrence last year, Jaiden Cole, Kendrick Marbles, JaCorion Andrews, etc. Is it a competition to see who can make the most plays when you are playing with those guys?
Always, we like to challenge each other to make plays each and every time we take the field.
LAFM: What was your favorite game at Neville High School and why?
My junior year,which was the semi-final game to go to the state championship vs. Warren Easton. The atmosphere was crazy. We had a strong fan base and so did they. Not to mention they had a great team just as we did. So it’s always good to compete against great competition.
LAFM: What does the team need to do this year to capture another state championship?
We have the talent to do it. We just can’t get complacent or overlook any opponent on our way. It’s been many teams in the past that had the potential to win it all but got really satisfied.
LAFM: Who are some people in your life that you need to thank for putting you in this position to play?
Of course, God for giving me these abilities and keeping me healthy to play the game. My family played a huge part in me playing the game of football and being so successful. My friends push me everyday to be better. My coaches and teammates always drive me every single time we meet up to continue to grind. The whole community wants to see me successful. I thank them and I owe a lot to other people for helping me.
LAFM: What separates yourself from any other defensive back in the state?
