On Saturday, Nebraska hosted several targets for future classes. One of those players was 2021 defensive tackle Gabriel Rubio from St. Louis, Missouri. Rubio made the trip to Lincoln with his family and coach. The defender from the Show Me State will be one to watch in the future.
Had a great visit with @HuskerFBNation today! Great team win…Huskers were firing on O, D & ST. Thank you Coach Dawson and @CoachChinander for taking time to speak with me! Big ups to @coachwilhite for taking care of me today! Class act!! #GBR #BlackShirts @NEB_Recruiting pic.twitter.com/Ihy71Xtk4R
— Gabriel Rubio (@GabeRubio68) November 11, 2018
I caught up with Rubio to get his thoughts on what he saw at the game, his relationship with the staff and more.
Here is the full Q&A from our interview.
Overall thoughts on the visit?
“I felt it was a really cool visit with how the coaches treated me, it felt like they wanted me to be there. There was that family aspect of the team with them being for each other, having each other’s backs. It was a really amazing feel.”
What did you get to do in Lincoln?
“We got a tour of the stadium, so we walked around the entire stadium. We saw the academic part of it. We saw all the awards that everyone’s got plus all the accomplishments. We went to the locker room as well, we were guided by coach [Director of High School Relations Kenny] Wilhite the entire way.
What have been your impressions of Wilhite?
“I thought that he was a very nice guy with how he showed us around. He was a friend of my coach, Coach Harris. He was very welcoming and responsive in the way he answered the questions while showing us around the entire stadium.”
What were your thoughts on the game atmosphere?
“I thought that it had electric atmosphere with a sense of family. I could tell the fans were in it to support the team and be there for them the entire game.”
What position has the staff talked to you about?
“They talked to me about interior defensive lineman. So, either a 0 technique or 4 high or even a 5 technique. I got to talk to the defensive line Coach [Mike] Dawson before the game and after the game inside the weight room.”
How was it talking to Dawson?
“Talking to Coach Dawson was an exciting thing. In some places, you don’t get to meet the line coach until after the game but Coach Wilhite arranged it for us to meet pre-game while he was setting up and training the defensive lineman for pre-game warmups inside on the turf facility.”
What was the most memorable thing about the visit?
“The most memorable thing was the post-game tour I got to take with Coach Wilhite. He showed us how there is one person for each of the majors they have on campus. The tutoring is always available. Just astonishing things like that.”
What other schools have you visited?
“I’ve visited Louisville, University of Kentucky, Notre Dame, Iowa and that’s all.”
What are you most looking for in a school?
“I’m most looking for the family environment and how people will get along. Just having that overall sense of well-being within the team and coaching staff. Just having that connection.”
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/3743035/5be0de18a018850d2c01c939
Greg is the Recruiting Analyst for Hail Varsity and has covered Husker athletics since 2013. He has always had a passion for sports while growing up in the Chicago area. As he got older and had to hang up his cleats and sneakers, he realized his passion for sports went beyond just watching and attending games. He has covered many events from the Rose Bowl to championship boxing matches. If he’s not talking sports, he’s hovering over his grill. He is married to an amazing woman, Kim, and they have a dog that barks when Greg yells at the TV during games.
