LAKE WALES – He may be playing for the Highlanders right now, but could he become perfect material to be a Bull? That’s what he hopes to become this time next season when Lake Wales DB Josh Dunn (6-0/205) takes the field in spite of his recent de-committment to USF on Twitter. Lake Wales hasn’t enjoyed the kind of success they’re used to this season, but Dunn has managed to persevere and do what he can to setup the foundation for their defensive success working with the underclassmen that will take his place.
Dunn’s 61 tackles on the season makes him the leader statistically far-and-away from the next biggest contributor, but that’s not what makes Dunn as special as he is. He’s the Liam Neeson of Polk County Defensive Backs–because he’s got a very particular set of skills that make him a nightmare for offenses that don’t plan for people such as himself. He’s a safety–wait, he’s a linebacker–or better yet? He’s both.
Dunn still can’t wait for the opportunity to wear the green-and-gold and run out of the tunnel at Raymond James next season, and it’s because they’ve found a position he doesn’t think–but knows he’ll thrive in under their defensive scheme. The senior joined us last evening and spoke about the recruiting process, plus a little about his final season as a member of the Lake Wales Football Program. He also gives us the skinny on why he stills has USF as the one for him–despite the recent developments–and why recruits should simply keep the Faith and put their heads down and get some good old-fashioned work done.
Here now is Josh Dunn in his own words.
BCP: How do you asses your senior season thus far?
Dunn: “The season didn’t go as planned, but there’s been some positives out of it and I feel like I got better individually, though and I felt like I got some of the players around me on my team better, so I can’t take that as a positive and a learning experience.”
BCP: If you could pick out the biggest thing you learned this season, do you have one?
Dunn: “Pushing through adversity, a lot of adversity.”
BCP: You were once a USF commit, then you de-committed just last week on Twitter, but it feels like that love for USF hasn’t diminished, is that fair to say?
Dunn: “I love the campus and I love the environment. The brotherhood they share on the team and the coaches–it’s just something I want to be a part of and be close enough to have family and friends come to my games is exciting.”
BCP: What have the coaches told you during your recruitment there? Did they have a specific vision in mind for you? Or did they just tell you the opportunity to compete would be there from the start? What was it?
Dunn: “They have the perfect position for me. I didn’t really know if I could play a true back safety or a true linebacker, but they have a position called the “husky” that’s like a third safety and I feel like that’s such a good spot for me.”
BCP: What’s the anticipation like to play that position–or what is your favorite part about playing the position you’re in now in general?
Dunn: “The fact that I get to drop back in coverage sometimes–while also being able to go after the quarterback and get sent on blitzes as well.”
BCP: What is your advice to players that are starting to stress about getting offers or feel like they’ve been left out of this process at the moment?
Dunn: “If you put in the time and the work–you’ll get what you deserve. I just feel like everybody gets what they deserve–so if you work for it? Then you’ll get it. If you don’t–you just have to keep working harder.”
BCP: Do you think that prospects set their expectations unrealistically at times, though? You can get to the league from just about any college–if they play ball, there’s a good chance a scout might find you. Do you think that leads to disappointment from recruits on the high school side?
Dunn: “You should take the opportunity that given or presented to you–you don’t know what these big school want sometimes. They might not really want you at all–don’t second guess and go where your heart leads you. Take the best opportunity that given.”