2010 NC State Commit Thomas Teal: The Coach's Perspective

Recently we had the chance to catch up with NC State commit Thomas Teal's high school football (Marlboro County High School, SC) Dean Boyd. Boyd led the Bulldogs to a 10-4 record last season, finishing ranked #21 in the state of South Carolina. Thus far in 2009, Boyd has led Marlboro County to a 6-0 ranking and the #5 ranking in the state. We talked with Boyd about what type of player 2010 NC State commit Thomas Teal (DT) was to coach. Teal is a consensus 3-Star Defensive Tackle that ESPN ranks #39 at the position. Here is a breakdown of the dialogue with Coach Boyd:

On Teal's strengths and weaknesses...
"He's a great kid. His strengths are that he's big and strong. He's got good speed for a big kid. Weaknesses, he probably needs to work a little bit on his conditioning. Although he plays both ways for us. He plays 100 snaps a game for us at 325lbs. So hes a real good player. Hes strong, he's good and I think he'll make an excellent college player."

On why he's under the radar...
"I think its his height. With his shoes off he's 6'1 1/2. I think a lot of those other guys are 6'4 and 6'5. He's not that, but he can play and I think people are seeing how hard he plays and what he does and realizing that he's a really good player. Some college coaches may not like him much because of his height, but he still makes plays every Friday night. He makes a bunch of them."

On his evolution as a player and on coaching him...
"It's been fun to watch him. He's really gotten stronger over his time here. He's always been a good player but his strength has made him a dominant player. To see the transition from the weight room to the field is a good thing and its a good example you can share with your other kids that aren't as strong as they need to be and what that area can do for you. Having a great work ethic like that is what you want to instill in your players and having a great example of that is a really good thing."

What indications has the NC State staff given as to where Thomas projects playing at the next level?
"Well the NC State coaching staff has recruited him as a defensive lineman but Coach Bridge was down here last week to watch him and I think they're going to have a problem on their hands wondering what they're going to do with him when he gets there. He's equally as good on the offensive line. His feet are so good and he moves so well that it allows for teams that like to pull guards to have a lot of options. I think that's where they'll have the biggest problem is figuring out where to use him at because he's equally as good on both sides of the ball. It's a good problem to have because if your offensive line recruits don't turn out the way you expected, then you have an ace in the hole so to speak."

What makes him so good?
"Toughness. He doesn't get hurt, he doesn't get moved around out there. I mean, I don't care what you bring at him he's going to handle it and he's not going to back down from it. I think that's the big key. He's just so tough."

Hows he embracing the leader role?
"He's doing a good job with it. When kids start cutting up or doing something wrong, all he has to do is speak up and they listen because he's big, he's tough and they know what his goals are, so they're going to listen to that. That helps a coach a lot. "

What accolades has he received?
"He was on the 3-A All-State team last year, preseason All-Area this year. He's noticed a lot amongst the people and coaches in the state because they have to play against him. He's doesn't get as much attention nationally because his height. At South Carolina camp in June they said if he was 6'2 they'd offer him on the spot. He got on the scale, sure enough he was 6'2...they made him take his shoes off and he was 6'1 1/2 and they didn't offer him. That's not the way you want to do things. He's getting overlooked a little bit but he's happy and excited with where he his right now and he's happy about getting the recruiting process over with, knowing what he'll be doing next year. Now he's just focusing on whats at hand... getting out there and helping out team be the best we can be."

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Thanks Coach Boyd and good luck this season!