We would like to welcome our next Diamond In The Rough to Gridiron, Alex Satchell, a 2027 LB out of Comeaux High School in Lafayette. Satchell is 5’8 and 170 lbs, with a 3.85 GPA, and attended the Breaux Bridge and Lake Charles Gridiron Football elite camps. He showed out tremendously at those camps, but his fastest times are a 4.71 in the 40 and a 4.25 in the shuttle. Overall, as a player, he has amazing instincts and a great feel for the game. He can track the ball very well and is quick to it as well. His junior year stats were: 101 TKLs, 14 TFLs, 2 sacks, a pick, 2 FFs, 6 FRs, 6 QBHs, 3 PDs, and a blocked extra point. He is also a team captain and an honorable mention all-district.
Here is my interview with Alex Satchell:
What has your football journey been like? At what age did you start playing football, and what inspired you to play football?
I don’t remember the age but I started playing football in sixth grade, the beginning of middle school. I started playing because I wanted to live up to my sister’s dreams of being a D1 athlete. She played softball two years at LSU and two years at Texas Tech.
Who else has been some of the biggest influences in your journey? Family members, coaches, etc?
I’d have to say my dad and my head coach at Comeaux.
How would you describe the football culture at your school, community, and in Louisiana?
At Comeaux, our culture is definetly growing. Well, it was growing, but our school board voted to unfortunetly shut us down at the end of the school year so we are going to have to relocate. However, this past season was Comeaux’s first time winning a game in three years.
Do you have a core memory of when you first started playing?
I have two. One was at practice and one was at a game. In the game, I remember I was at left guard and my tackle and quarterback started fighting in the middle of the game and I personally found it hilarious because they were both just being idiots. At practice, we did the Gauntlet drill where people line up against each other and I remember I had to go up against three eigth graders and a sixth grader and it was horrifying.
Did you always want to play linebacker, or did you want to play another position?
I’ve always wanted to be a linebacker.
What is so great about being a linebacker to you personally?
You get to lead the defense and it’s your responsibilty to know where everyone needs to go and line up. It’s your responsibitly to know what the offense is planning as well.
What’s something about your game that you think separates you from other players at your position?
I can call out plays before they happen on most teams.
What parts of your game do you feel like have improved the most over the years, and what would you like to improve on?
My coverage has definetly gotten a lot better from last year. I am able to cover way better and I had more pass deflections than interceptions this past year. I want to get better at reading the blocker in the hole. Say you have a pulling guard or a pulling halfback, I want to be able to stand my ground better and track the ball better.
Walk me through your preparation during a typical game day.
On game day and in school, I’m usually watching film for most of the day, unless I have a test or something. After school, I really just stay in my own world, listening to music, not talking to anyone except my teammates when we are eating.
How do you stay motivated during the offseason when the spotlight is not on you all the time?
It’s more of a disipline thing than movitation because if I don’t do this then I’m going to fall behind and I’m not going to be at the level I know I want to be at.
What were some of the toughest challenges you faced over the years of playing thus far?
I want to say my freshman year, it was little bit of coaching. My sophomore and junior year is definetly our school system because they have tried to shut us down. They tried last year and failed and then tried again this year and they succeded.
What was the most memorable game you played, and why did it stand out?
It was Week 2 this year and we broke Comeaux’s losing streak of 33 games in a row.
How would you describe yourself as a leader to your teammates?
I tell anybody, if anyone is ever out of position, if they don’t know what’s going on, they always ask me. Say someone is taking too long to get into their spot, I like to give them a little push or nudge to get them in the right spot.
When people look back at your high school career, what do you hope they say about you as a player and person?
That I was a great leader and I always did what I was supposed to do.
Did you play any other sports when you were younger, or do you do any others now?
I wrestle as well.
What was the Gridiron Football elite camp experience like for you?
It was great. I was with one of my teammates. There was a lot of great competition. I really enjoyed the 7-on-7. It allowed me to see how I size up and compare myself to other people my age.
What were some of your biggest takeaways from it? What is something you learned the most?
Definitely how to play with people you have never met before. During the 7-on-7, we only had eight players, so we were pretty much on the field together the whole time, and we synchronized very well.
What has the recruitment process been like for you?
It’s been kind of slow lately, but I’ve gotten into contact with a few college coaches up north and I’m getting a lot of camp invites.
Is there a specific college you have in mind that you really want to play for?
Not really. I just want to play ball and be able to further my education because that is a big thing for me.
Why do you believe you can be an effective playmaker wherever you end up going?
Because I am a leader and I will be the hardest working person there.
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