Recruiting Interview: WR Ni’Jeel Meeking, Union Parish
by Jace LeJeune
Union Parish Wide Receiver Ni’Jeel Meeking is another great receiver in a very deep receiver class this year. He is a big target at 6’3, 200 lbs and can run a 4.47/40. Meeking has all the physical tools that you can ask for in order to be a great receiver. It definitely makes it easier on the quarterback throwing Meeking the football. He is very athletic and very tough to bring down once he gets in the open field. Meeking is the prototypical wide receiver that colleges and the NFL wants and that is a wide receiver that is tall, big, and fast. As of right now, Meeking is committed to the Ragin’ Cajuns of the Univeristy of Louisiana Lafayette but he is still getting offers from a lot of D-I schools because of what he can do on the football field. Louisiana Football Magazine’s Lee Brecheen believes that Ni’Jeel Meeking definitely passes the physical test and he knows that he can be as good as he wants to be. Defenses better watch out for not only Ni’Jeel Meeking but for the entire offense as the team also returns a 1,000 yard rusher in Shamar Turner and a couple of good offensive linemen. The team did fair well in district last season losing one game but didn’t fair so well outside of the district. Meeking wants to lead his team back to the state championship where they were in 2013. Last year was a rebuilding year for Union Parish but with offensive star Ni’Jeel Meeking back making plays, it should be a very good year for the Farmers. Check out today’s interview with Union Parish’s talented wide receiver Ni’Jeel Meeking as he talks about his commitment to University of Louisiana Lafayette, last season, this year’s expectations, the receiver that he compares himself to, and so much more!
Don’t let his big size fool you. Ni’Jeel Meeking can run as fast as anybody. Here he is running for a big play.
LAFM: What is your name, age, and position?
Ni’Jeel Meeking ,17, WR/DB/QB
LAFM: What is your height and weight?
6’2, 197lbs
LAFM: What is your ACT and GPA?
ACT: 16, GPA: 2.5
LAFM: What is your 40 yard time, max bench press, max squat, and vertical?
LAFM: What were your stats and accomplishments from last year?
LAFM: Do you have any offers from any colleges? If so, who are they from? If not, have you received any interests from colleges?
3 offers: UL-Lafayette(committed), Mississippi State ,Louisiana College
LAFM: Last year, the team played great in the district going 4-1 and making the playoffs but in the other non district games, the team finished 1-5. Why did the team struggle last year with teams that weren’t in your district?
Overall, we just had trouble finishing games in the second half.
LAFM: The team is capable of making a run at the state championship as the team won it all in 2013. What will it take for the team to go back again?
For us to make a run at the state championship, we need to have leadership from our senior class since we are the last class left that was there in 2013. Leadership will play a huge roll.
LAFM: What are your individual goals for this season?
My main goal is to win the state championship ,but besides that, my individual goal is to get a 1000+ receiving yards & 10+ TDs.
LAFM: What are the team’s goals for the season?
The teams goal is to go 15-0. That goal comes with a district championship & the state championship.
LAFM: The offense loses some really good players from last year but returns some good running backs and offensive linemen. How improved do you think will the offense be this year?
I think the offense will be much improved because of the playmakers we have returning & because of the new things we’re doing different this upcoming year.
LAFM: What was your best game at Union High School and why?
My best game would have to be my sophomore year against Oak Grove. I had 4 catches 91 yards & a TD.
LAFM: Who is the defensive back that you are looking forward the most to play against?
The DB I’m looking forward to playing the most would be either Cortez Ewing from Wossman or Jamarceon Jackson from Haynesville.
LAFM: What are the strengths to your game?
The strengths to my game are my size & speed.
LAFM: What are things that you need to improve on?
The things I need to improve on are my route running & probably lookin the ball all the way in.
LAFM: Which wide receiver (college or NFL) do you model your game after and why?
I model my game after Laquon Treadwell, because I see similarities in his game that I have in mine
LAFM: What is your favorite route to run as a wide receiver?
My favorite route as a wide receiver would be a Post or a comeback route.
LAFM: This year is a great year for wide receivers. Who do you think is the best wide receiver in the state besides yourself?
The best wide receiver in the state besides myself would be Devonta Smith from Amite High School.
LAFM: Who are some people that you need to thank for putting you in the position that you are in today?
The people I need to thank for putting me in the position that I’m in today are my parents & my coaches even my coaches from YMCA football taught me a lot.
LAFM: If a college coach asked you what separates you as a wide receiver from anybody else, what would you tell him?
I would tell him what separates me is how coachable I am & my work ethic to get better on & off the field.
Hey football fans. Like our recruiting interviews? Click on our website daily to view articles on recruits, coaches, and so much more at our website: http://www.lafootballmagazine.com/ . Also, our 20th anniversary edition of Louisiana Football Magazine is coming out. It has previews for every college and high school team from LSU to all the 1-A schools. Also, Lee gives out his All-Louisiana team and breaks down position by position on every high school player in the state. So, why wait and pre order the magazine now at http://www.lafootballmagazine.com/product/la-football-magazine-2016-annual-preview/
