2015 Incomer - LB Cecil Cherry

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Cecil Cherry talks about football and his mentor/godfather, 17-year Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis, whom he met in the ninth grade. Lewis has been mentoring Cherry at Victory Christian Academy in Frostproof, Florida.

Cherry, 6-foot, 230 pounds, and Lewis, 6-foot-1, 240 pounds, are both similarly built inside linebackers, both prefer to move downhill and stop the run and, most importantly, both like to explode into the hole and, as Cherry puts it, have “fun hitting the running back.”

The 2015 Texas signee actually called putting licks on running backs as natural as “butter and bread" together.

Cherry said he’s thrilled the relationship has had a chance to foster.

“I think it’s the greatest mentor I can have (with) both of us coming from the same county,” Cherry said. “I feel like Ray always inspired me. He had that dog in him. He’s showy with it, but he’s not cocky with it, and he has fun.”

Cherry isn’t afraid to admit he has a similar flare on the field. He considers himself an “old-school” linebacker in terms of finding the ball carrier and then moving downhill to hit him, but he isn’t afraid to enjoy himself on the field, much like Lewis.

Cherry said it’s Lewis’ off-the-field advice that’s resonated the most with him. Lewis stresses outworking others and, most importantly to Cherry, academics. The ability to lean on Lewis for advice is something Cherry considers himself lucky to have. Having such an iconic figure in his corner only makes him want to work harder.

“It’s wonderful,” Cherry said. “To draw strength from him is great. It’s a man’s game, and he’s a man out there. He inspires me to be better.”​

[Full article here]

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My fav part of his words, "...He’s showy with it, but he’s not cocky with it, and he has fun".

So many kids don't understand the difference between negative, "look at me" showboating, and playing with high enthusiasm. Just hearing that he's conscious of the difference at his age helps me appreciate what type of guy he is.

Not to mention, when players refer to themselves as "old school" they are almost always the tough as nails and respect the game in a traditional form. Even though they may talk after, they realize the real message comes first in the physical pounding they deliver.

He's been one of my fav recruits all the while we began courting him. The more I hear it only grows. Truly felt after watching how he plays on tape, it will be hard to keep him off the field next year.

He's one of my top choices to pull a "John Bonney" out of the summer additions. Meaning he'll flash again and again with huge plays, until finally coaches don't want him off the field.

 

Excellent, BA. One of my favs as well.

Would you agree with the following; if not can you give some insight... The only thing I can see that might keep him off the field this year is that the coaches want to go with LBs who have good coverage skills (quick feet, flex hips) due to the majority of offenses we'll face. The above video did show Cherry make 2 or 3 INTs, but it is a highlight reel so I don't know that his skill set is developed enough in that area. Like he said, he's an old school downhill beast! Your thoughts?

 

At the conclusion of the fantastic crop of 2015 recruits that CS got, the 2 players I was most excited about were Cecil Cherry and Malik Jefferson. These kids / players are difference makers. I cannot wait to see them both in fall camp together and on the field!!

 

Thanks Godz40acres. I definitely share your coverage concerns in regards to Cherry. That was a highlight tape as you pointed out, yet he did seem to drop in zone windows well from what we saw. There's certainly not enough to go off of in regards to coverage ability.

His playing running back and catching passes out of the backfield may display some versatility that could translate to coverage skills. Seemed to have solid direction change for a big man on those INT returns.

I guess time will tell what his full package is, but there was certainly a position in mind when they recruited him heavily. These are the positive kinds of question marks to have. We can already tell he belongs on this level, just how expansive is his game.

 

First time I saw the film on these two, I knew if we landed them, we'd have something really special on the field. I am going to enjoy watching them harass and destroy opposing offensive players for the next 4 years. We've got Mr. Bang and Mr. Boom on the 40.

 

Analysis: Cecil Cherry
Cherry is an old-school linebacker that is best between the tackles. He's fierce and instinctive in the middle, can shed blocks and locate the ball. Cherry is physical, aggressive player and a very hard hitter. He plays inside-out very well. Cherry is improving his awareness in coverage and getting more and more comfortable defending the pass.

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He plans to be one of the best linebackers ever to play at Texas. He wants to be a leader and role model who helps Texas win a national championship. His nicknames in high school were “Cecil The Diesel” and “Head Hunter” (he prefers Cecil the Diesel “because people know I’m comin’ for ‘em.”)

He patterns his mindset and play after Ray Lewis, a Florida boy whose mantra is, “You gotta be pissed off for greatness.”

And he’s confident those in his recruiting class, many of whom he takes pride in helping recruit, are going to come in and make a difference. “It’s going to fit together perfect, because everybody has to do their job. If you’re not coming to do your job, why come to the university?” Cherry said.

When I asked Cherry, who always seems to be upbeat with a smile on his face, why he’s so willing to put his goals out there and forecast such big things, he said, “You don’t understand where I’m from. Your first goal growing up in Frostproof, Florida, is to get out of Frostproof, Florida.

“If you’re not a football or basketball player growing up in Frostproof, you’re selling drugs or doing drugs or going to jail,” Cherry said. “I’ve seen a lot of tough stuff, but I fought adversity and got through it.”

Cherry said he and his father knew Cecil had made the right decision to attend Texas when Charlie Strong made his in-home visit and gave Cecil a hard time (about eating too much cake).

“I see myself as a big role model for the university and for the fans and for kids from a small town like me who may think there’s no hope because they are in a small town with no way out,” Cherry said.

Make no mistake, Cherry, who played on the varsity at Frostproof in eighth grade plans to be great. “The game moved fast when I was an eighth grader on varsity, but I picked it up and started my freshman year,” Cherry said.

“And that’s the way it’s going to be when I get to Texas. But to me, it’s a boost of energy for me to do what I have to do to make my family and fans happy. I want to be one of the best linebackers ever to play at Texas.

“And I’m not talking about winning the Butkus Award. I want my play to help my team win a national championship, something that me and my teammates would be remembered for for the rest of our lives. “My goal is to get a ring at every level. Keeping God first, handling my business and getting my degree, I’ll be able to do it while being a leader on and off the field.”

“Us guys from Florida, we come with an edge,” Cherry said. “We come ready to work to win. We don’t come just to play. Playing’s not enough. You gotta win. If people think they’ve seen some highlights of me on film, they haven’t seen nothing, because I’m working to get better every day.”

When I asked what he likes about [Malik] Jefferson, Cherry said, “I like the way he gets to the ball with a little bit of hype in him. That’s what I want to see. I want to see a band of brothers jumping up together when we’re making plays.”

Cherry said that passion is also what he liked about Texas coach Charlie Strong. “Everybody would want their child playing for Charlie Strong if they want to be great,” Cherry said. “Everyone knows his linebackers leave college as NFL players and as better men.

Cherry loves to hit. It shows on film.

“I don’t care how big you are, you’re gonna get hit,” Cherry said. “Playing as an eighth grader, I was going up against a running back 5-11, 240, benching 405 – going head to head against him every day,” Cherry said. And going against linemen going to Florida State who are heavy, getting blocked by them, pinching you in your nuts, poking you with pens. It wasn’t fun. It was nasty. I had no choice but to be a man after that, because I saw what I was getting myself into.“

Cherry said he loves playing inside linebacker because, “You get to be physical and nasty and punish anyone that comes up the middle or across the middle like receivers. What better job is there playing the game you love?”

“It’s a dream to be a Texas Longhorn, representing the Cherry family name. I’m a small-town guy looking to make a big name. Not every person gets to go to college, so I have to be thankful for every moment I have to go to college and play football and get a degree at the same time. It’s a dream come true, so I’m just going to come in with the right mindset.”

“I’m going to get me a degree at a school I really wanted to go to,” he said. “I’m playing for the best coach in the country at the best university in the country, and I’m playing for the best fans in the country. Hook ‘em.”

[Full article here]

 

Wow! This class looks better and better the more I see.

 

I see Cecil as having great, great football instincts and intelligence. He brings that right now. And I have great confidence that once he gets here he will be coached way up. If he stays healthy, he has a chance to wear # 60, and play on Sundays. He could be that tough in the middle. With Malik on the edges, and Cecil in the middle, there will be pain for those trying to infiltrate their territory.

 

Last time I heard this much talk about a kid who hasn't even had one practice yet, I got Sleepy.....

 

When he hits the field with that attitude, he's looking to replace somebody and start. If not starting right away, he'll get some ST time and I pity the poor bloke that he hits going full steam.

 

I think we are all going to be very pleasantly pleased with the contribution CC will be.