Elite High School Freshman Sav’ell Smalls Talks About Irish

Sav’ell Smalls is a freakishly talented freshman.

The Notre Dame coaching staff have been checking in on 6’4, 225 pound Sav’ell Smalls who played his first year outside of little league this past season for Garfield in the state of Washington. He showed dominant talent at only 14 years old.

Now 15, Smalls holds offers from USC, Oregon, Washington, Oregon State and UCLA. As college coaching staff members aren’t allowed to contact him directly yet, many have been following him on Twitter and checking in with his coach regularly.

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I caught up with the now 15 year-old Smalls to talk to him about his recruitment and outlook on the future of his football career.

First, Smalls spoke to me about his transition from little league to high school football.

“It’s definitely different. There’s always things that people do in little league that you can’t do in high school. I was glad to be able to catch on fast to what I can and cannot do. In high school, if you don’t make that transition, you’ll be in for a rude awakening, but I was able to go fast and develop fast,” he said.

Smalls plays for Garfield which is one of the top programs in the state of Washington. He gave me his thoughts on his football team and their preparation to compete for a state championship.

“We really think we can win state. That’s our goal. We’ve been in the weight room in the morning and after school. We’re really trying to get to it. At the end of the day, offers are cool and that, but we’re just trying to win State right now, worry about the other stuff later,” he said.

Sav’ell Smalls is teammates with Tre’shawn Harrison who holds an offer from Notre Dame. He spoke about him. “He’s always been like that, in little league too. He went to high school and did the same thing. It’s great to see all the recognition he’s getting and all the offers,” said Smalls.

There is a lot of high school football talent throughout the state of Washington right now. Smalls talked to me about the surge in recruiting in the north-west state.

“Washington is loaded. I’m really glad to see all this interest here. Washington is one of the best football states in the country,” said Smalls.

“I’m really just taking it in because it’s so early, but Washington sticks out because it’s the hometown school. USC sticks out. And UCLA sticks out and Michigan because I like Harbaugh over there. All of them stick out for different reasons,” said Smalls regarding  the schools who have been contacting him the most.

Next, Smalls spoke to me about Notre Dame.

“Notre Dame has always had history of football and academic excellence and that’s something I really pride myself on, being good in school and not just on the field. Notre Dame is always going to have a good football program but the opportunities with the degree in terms of getting jobs, if you look at it compared to another college, when you have their name on there, you’re good,” he said.

“Since I’m a freshman, they can’t really talk to me but they follow me on Twitter and they’re talking to my coach about me. They say they love me, but I’m sure they’re getting on their junior class right now. Whenever it comes it comes, Smalls added.

Given Smalls is 6’4, 225 as a freshman, I asked him if he sees himself eventually growing out of the position. Here’s what he had to say.

“If I were to stay the same size, I’d probably stay at outside linebacker. If I get bigger, I’ll probably be a 4-3 D end, or even a 3-4. It all depends on how I grow, how strong I get, how fast I get. I’m really grateful for where I’m at,” said Smalls.

Sav’ell Smalls visited Oregon this month and closed the conversation by telling me about his next visit.

“My 7 on 7 team is going down to California on April 22. I’m going to go down with a couple of the other guys from team and visit USC,” he said.

Must Read: Top 5 Players From The 2016 Notre Dame Recruiting Class.

There is a very long way to go in this one. Notre Dame is certainly keeping their eye on Sa’vell Smalls.