Anthony Lucas made a declaration. Like Kevin Garnett or Anthony Davis declaring themselves power forwards and not centers, Anthony Lucas declared himself an edge rusher. He knows he is versatile to play anywhere on the line like AD playing center in the NBA Finals. He also knows he can be a dominant edge player in college and beyond. Chase Young's leg drive and hand disengagement are skills he uses to better himself as an edge rusher.
Lucas set his mind on the intersection of business and sports management, whether it is a double major or potential major/minor.
Beyond their football success, both Oregon and Notre Dame offer classes in those fields that align with his learning interests. In addition to visiting those two schools, Lucas stopped by Texas A&M earlier this month as well.
“[Texas A&M] has a history of showing up underneath the big lights in big games, but can't quite get over the hump yet. They are looking for another season to do that so this year they are coming out pants on fire… Jimbo [Fisher’s] pitch was about what A&M can bring out of a player in terms of development and the connections later on in life.”
A&M has a geographical advantage over Miami, Notre Dame, etc. for the rising senior from Chaparral High School (AZ). However, distance is not the end all be all for Lucas.
Lucas answered “Not necessarily,” when asked if distance was a substantial factor in his college choice.
So what is most important?
“How I get along with the coaches, the players, the academics, the recruits and how they do this upcoming season. I got to know who I’m going to be around for the next couple of years.”
At the moment, Lucas does not plan to make a decision until after the season.
Lucas and the rest of his family landed in Miami for an official visit on Thursday night. The family spent many years in Florida before a move to Arizona. His parents stressed order and discipline as prerequisites to success.
The first generation Hatian American loves griot and oxtail. And where better to get island food than in South Florida?
Before and during his visit, Lucas connected with Hurricanes’ outside linebackers coach Ishmael Aristide, whose family has Haitian roots as well. Lucas speaks with Aristide the most out of the Miami staffers.
“[Aristide] is also Haitian, they have a lot of culture on the team that is the same as me: bunch of coaches, GA’s. He talks really about connections and the people can get to know out in Miami ”
Senior Zach McCloud was Lucas’ weekend host.
“Zach was amazing. He gave me a lot of great advice. Really knowledgeable person to take in, sit down and listen to. Getting to know him throughout the weekend made me better understand college and what I need to do to be in his position.”
Lucas’ First impression of Manny Diaz?
“Really a cool person. The way he talks is in a manner that makes me feel comfortable. I also really like defensive minded head coaches.”
How did he feel about DL coach Jess Simpson?
“Great instructor and teacher. I was in the film room learning as much as I can. I probably learned as much [with Simpson] as I did in my high school in these past couple of days. It was cool to be able to look at the same stuff he teaches in the NFL used for college.”
Lucas plays baseball and basketball in addition to football. He is a multi-sport athlete and a multi-positional baseball player. He is a cornerman, both 1B and 3B, and pitcher that sports a four-seam and two-seam fastball, slider, curve, and change up in his ****nal. Over the weekend, the football staff introduced him to Miami head baseball coach Gino DiMare.
“I had a baseball photoshoot in the baseball facility. They did their research. They pulled me off to the side... I don’t think I told everybody that. [Miami] was a new offer, so I didn’t think they knew I played baseball.”
For Lucas, the coaches’ upbeat messages and demeanors transferred from virtual to reality.
“Everything they were saying in the Zooms was put into perspective... it was an amazing trip overall.”
*Interview conducted and article written by Kyle Liburd.
Lucas set his mind on the intersection of business and sports management, whether it is a double major or potential major/minor.
Beyond their football success, both Oregon and Notre Dame offer classes in those fields that align with his learning interests. In addition to visiting those two schools, Lucas stopped by Texas A&M earlier this month as well.
“[Texas A&M] has a history of showing up underneath the big lights in big games, but can't quite get over the hump yet. They are looking for another season to do that so this year they are coming out pants on fire… Jimbo [Fisher’s] pitch was about what A&M can bring out of a player in terms of development and the connections later on in life.”
A&M has a geographical advantage over Miami, Notre Dame, etc. for the rising senior from Chaparral High School (AZ). However, distance is not the end all be all for Lucas.
Lucas answered “Not necessarily,” when asked if distance was a substantial factor in his college choice.
So what is most important?
“How I get along with the coaches, the players, the academics, the recruits and how they do this upcoming season. I got to know who I’m going to be around for the next couple of years.”
At the moment, Lucas does not plan to make a decision until after the season.
Lucas and the rest of his family landed in Miami for an official visit on Thursday night. The family spent many years in Florida before a move to Arizona. His parents stressed order and discipline as prerequisites to success.
The first generation Hatian American loves griot and oxtail. And where better to get island food than in South Florida?
Before and during his visit, Lucas connected with Hurricanes’ outside linebackers coach Ishmael Aristide, whose family has Haitian roots as well. Lucas speaks with Aristide the most out of the Miami staffers.
“[Aristide] is also Haitian, they have a lot of culture on the team that is the same as me: bunch of coaches, GA’s. He talks really about connections and the people can get to know out in Miami ”
Senior Zach McCloud was Lucas’ weekend host.
“Zach was amazing. He gave me a lot of great advice. Really knowledgeable person to take in, sit down and listen to. Getting to know him throughout the weekend made me better understand college and what I need to do to be in his position.”
Lucas’ First impression of Manny Diaz?
“Really a cool person. The way he talks is in a manner that makes me feel comfortable. I also really like defensive minded head coaches.”
How did he feel about DL coach Jess Simpson?
“Great instructor and teacher. I was in the film room learning as much as I can. I probably learned as much [with Simpson] as I did in my high school in these past couple of days. It was cool to be able to look at the same stuff he teaches in the NFL used for college.”
Lucas plays baseball and basketball in addition to football. He is a multi-sport athlete and a multi-positional baseball player. He is a cornerman, both 1B and 3B, and pitcher that sports a four-seam and two-seam fastball, slider, curve, and change up in his ****nal. Over the weekend, the football staff introduced him to Miami head baseball coach Gino DiMare.
“I had a baseball photoshoot in the baseball facility. They did their research. They pulled me off to the side... I don’t think I told everybody that. [Miami] was a new offer, so I didn’t think they knew I played baseball.”
For Lucas, the coaches’ upbeat messages and demeanors transferred from virtual to reality.
“Everything they were saying in the Zooms was put into perspective... it was an amazing trip overall.”
*Interview conducted and article written by Kyle Liburd.
