Rae’g Dailey is a class of 2024 wide receiver currently playing for C.E. King High School in Houston, Texas. Standing at 5’7 and weighing 155 lbs., Rae’g more than makes up for his slightly undersized frame with his incredible explosiveness and ability to reach a fourth gear of speed that few other players can achieve. In the 2022 season, Rae’g racked up 1,045 yards and 5 touchdowns from 45 receptions, for an average of 75 yards per game and 13 yards per reception. One of his most notable performances over the season came in a third round playoff game against Katy High School. Not fazed by playing in the Houston Texans NRG stadium in the slightest, Rae’g had 172 receiving yards with a touchdown and returned a 93 yard punt for a touchdown. I had an opportunity with the rising star to ask him a few questions about himself.
Rae’g Dailey Q&A:
Q: What are some motivations for why you started playing football?
“My dad and my mom. It’s a big thing in our family to play sports and it’s one of my mom’s biggest dreams to see me play college football.”
Q: What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned from your coaches so far in your career?
“You gotta give 110% always. At the end of the day, coaches have a job and family too, so if you’re not producing and doing your job, then they gotta find someone else that will because they gotta provide for their family also.”
Q: What’s one of the biggest obstacles you’ve had to overcome?
“I broke my arm my freshman year of high school. I was out a long time and I came back the following year, my sophomore year, after a long recovery year and a lot of help from my mom and one of my coaches that’s really close to me. They helped me get all the way back and I started playing varsity as a sophomore.”
Q: What’s your biggest strength as a player?
“Making people miss and using my vision and speed to go score touchdowns. I’m a hard person to tackle.”
Q: Do you have any activities outside of football that keep you sharp for the season?
“I play a lot of chess. I feel like it strengthens your mind and gets your mind right. If you’re talking about training, I go to this guy, his name is Kerry Bennet, he’s one of the best trainers in the world.”
Q: What’s the proudest memory you have?
“My last game this year against Katy. I had a really good game, and even though we unfortunately fell short, I finally got a shot on the big stage and I put my name out there. I made a lot of people proud of me that day, especially my family.”
Q: Do you have any upcoming goals?
“I have three. One is getting a division one scholarship, because if any school wants to give me a school to come in and play I’m going to give that 110%. My second goal is to take this new team at C.E. King and lead them on another playoff run. My third goal is to graduate with a 3.5 GPA, I’m at a 3.4 right now.”
Q: How do you find the balance between being an athlete and a student?
“You could say it’s hard but that’s what I love to do. The student part you really have to try in the classroom, that’s probably where I try the most. But in sports, thanks to God it comes natural. It’s the little things around you, you know everyone wants to go party and have fun and do this, and it’s like, do you really want to take that time and put in the extra work that others are not doing? That’s probably the hardest thing but you have to do that.”
Q: Do you have a professional player in the NFL that you look up to and maybe try to model your game after?
“I do, but I also like watching a lot of college players. I like the shifty slot receivers like Tavon Austin, Jaelon Darden, he just came from North Texas, Kadarious Toney when he was at Florida. And then back in the day I used to watch LeSean McCoy when he was with the Eagles and DeSean Jackson.”
Q: If you had the opportunity to speak to a college recruiter right now, how would you describe yourself and pitch yourself?
“Put me anywhere on the field coach, anywhere I’m needed to this team, whether it’s getting me the ball or special teams I can do it all and imma give 110% effort every time. You don’t gotta worry about that with me.”
Q: Do you have an inspirational figure?
“My mom, she works so hard providing for me, my brothers, and sister, I gotta do it for her.”
Q: Is there a specific way you prepare for a game?
“My brother, he makes some songs and so I listen to my brother’s music right before. I also listen to a lot of old-school R&B songs and I just kind of chill out, get my mind right, of course pray, and when the lights come on it’s go time.”
Q: Do you have any advice for any incoming high school players?
“Stay humble, grind, and don’t get peer pressured into doing what your friends are doing. A lot of people are going to fall off, and they’re not gonna be able to grind, they just want to have fun and party. It’s not worth it man, you gotta grind and stick to it.”
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