We would like to welcome our next Diamond In The Rough to Gridiron, Charles Rickoll, out of Pearl River High School. Rickoll is a 2027 LB that attended the Gridiron Live Oak elite camp back in February and showed out in a big way, running a 5.29 in the 40, a 4.75 shuttle, and an 8.1 broad jump. He is the true leader in the middle of that defense at Pearl River with speed, IQ, and power. During his junior year, he made some big-time plays, piling up 9 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. He also used to play baseball, run track & field, and has a 3.78 GPA.
Here is my interview with Charlie Rickoll:
Overall, what has your football journey been like for you? At what age did you start playing football, and what inspired you to play football?
I started playing football at around five to six years old, and I just fell in love with the sport right there.
Who have been some of the biggest influences in your journey so far?
I definetly have to say God and my dad.
How would you describe the football culture at school, in the community, and in Louisiana in general?
Yeah, we have a pretty good culture at our school; it’s something that we are starting to build and it’s getting better over time.
Do you have any core memories of when you first started playing as a little kid at five or six years old?
I remember I used to play with the older age group and I used to get run over every single day. It’s football so it was normal and I pushed through it.
Was quarterback and linebacker two positions you always wanted to play, or did you have other positions in mind at first?
I’ve always wanted to play those positions.
What is it about your game on both sides of the ball that you think separates you from other players?
I believe I play with intelligence and discipline.
What parts of your game do you feel like have improved the most over the years and what parts would you like to improve on going forward?
I think I have really improved on my speed a lot and my film shows it, and I would like to improve on… honestly everything.
Walk me through what your preparation looks like on game day?
I make sure I put good meals in my body and I make sure I don’t talk to anybody to stay locked in.
How do you stay motivated during the offseason when the spotlight is not on you all the time?
I’d say it’s not really about motivation but more about disipline and wanting to get better every single day.
What were some of the toughest challenges you faced over the years of playing thus far?
I’ve had some position changes and those hurt sometimes because you are so used to playing that position but you tend to grow and like it.
What was the most memorable game you played, and why did it stand out?
Probably the game on my birthday last year where I picked off a pass and took it for a touchdown.
How would you describe yourself as a leader to your teammates?
I describe myself as a leader who leads by example more than words.
When people look back at your high school career, what do you hope they say about you as a player and person?
I hope they think of me as someone they could look up to and feel comfortable around.
Did you play any other sports when you were younger, or do you do any others now?
I used to play baseball and track & field.
What was the Live Oak camp experience like?
It was a great experience, and I learned a lot from the coaches there about technique and other fundamentals.
What has the recruitment process been like for you so far?
I do have a few interests, but no offers have come in.
Why do you believe you can be an effective playmaker wherever you end up?
I have a lot of confidence in my abilty to show out on the field.
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