612 Recruiting Report: Kader Diop (Minneapolis South-2021)
As I’m sure most of you know by now, I am a product of Minneapolis Public School football and get a lot of joy out of finding and bringing exposure to fellow Minneapolis prep players who have been overlooked and…
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Continue ReadingAs I’m sure most of you know by now, I am a product of Minneapolis Public School football and get a lot of joy out of finding and bringing exposure to fellow Minneapolis prep players who have been overlooked and under-recruited. A 2021 ATH from the 612 that I’m really excited about going into next season is Minneapolis South Tiger WR/CB Kader Diop, and the 6’0, 170 lber. has definitely been overlooked despite receiving recent offers from Bemidji State and UW-River Falls. Introduced to me by my good friend Kosey Mitchell – who is a former St. Olaf teammate and current MPLS South football coach – Diop brings some game-changing speed and impressive shiftiness that helps him after the catch, Diop is South’s most explosive offensive weapon and will be the most important component for the Tigers as they look to bounce back from a 1-8 2019 season and turnaround a hard-working and dedicated Minneapolis South program. The Minneapolis native definitely has the ability to do so and with a 3.97 GPA he’s a true student athlete, so I was really excited when Diop agreed to answer a few of Northstar Football News’ questions for this special 612 Recruiting Report. Check out what the well-spoken rising senior has to say about his football career thus far, his 33 rec – 510 yds – 5 TD 2019 season, how his Beavers and Falcons offers came to be, and more. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy! Junior Season Highlights
Diop.NFN: Hello and thank you for your time, Kader. Please begin by telling us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? What are some fun facts about you? When did you begin playing football and what do you love about the game?
Diop: “I am from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I started playing flag football when I was eight years old. I then played 10U, 12U, and 14U tackle football in the Park and Rec league. Some fun facts about me: besides football, I have played basketball, hockey, baseball, and ran track in my life. I am a hardworker. I value my education and take it seriously. My favorite place to be is at the gym or the turf. I love football because of the unique feeling that comes with playing the game that you can’t find in any other sport. It is as if you and your team are at war, then the feeling of success and victory is one of a kind! I’m 6’0 – 170 lbs – 40 time: 4.6 (will improve) – Bench Press: 225 lbs x 4 – Deadlift: 310 x 4 (will improve).”
NFN: Now get into your sophomore season with South in 2018. What were some highlights and lowlights? What did you learn from it and how was your season personally?
Diop: “My sophomore season taught me a lot about football and myself. I played defensive back, receiver, and special teams, but mostly defensive back because all of our receivers were seniors when I was a sophomore. I started most games at defensive back. My favorite game of mine was against Edison because I played very well, by not giving up any big plays under my coverage. Unfortunately we lost the game. It was a very close game, but we did not make enough plays to come out on top. One highlight of our season was our final game of the regular season against St. Agnes. The energy was high the whole game as both teams fought hard. We came out on top and won the game, that was the most fun part of the season to me. That game I started at corner and gave up zero receptions under my coverage. The adjustment to highschool football was not too bad for me. I just continued to push through and work hard, which has gotten me to where I am now!”
NFN: What were your expectations for yourself and the team in 2019? How had you guys build off of the year before and what did you do to better your football game? Also, what do you like about South’s program?
Diop: “Going into the 2019 season (Junior Year) I expected myself to be highly depended on to make plays for the team. I expected myself to be the go to player for my team. This did add a bit of pressure that I felt led to disappointment at times during the season when we struggled as a team. Everyday in the offseason I would plan my workout at home in the morning and then go to the YMCA by my house and complete the workout. I also went to the field with my QB and some other teammates where we ran routes and did other various drills. I felt that I worked hard in the summer/offseason. My favorite thing about our program is that on our team we value being a family. We grow close together during practice, team meals, and the retreat to our head coaches cabin.”
NFN: Who were your first eight games against in 2019? What were some takeaways from the season and how is South’s schedule looking for 2020?
Diop: “In our first eight games of the regular season (2019) we played: Breck – Concordia – Roosevelt – Washburn – Southwest – Johnson – Como – Spectrum. My best games were against Washburn (at least 100 yds/1 td), Johnson (at least 100 yds/1 td), and Spectrum (at least 150 yds/1 td). We had a poor record last season, but on the brightside my junior year taught me so much. I learned more about what our team needs to do to win more games. I grew more confident in myself as a receiver and my mindset about football changed. I knew that I had the ability to play college football, now I needed to focus in and work hard. Also I know you’re not aware of this yet but we have a new schedule next year. 2020 Schedule: Concordia – Brooklyn Center – Roosevelt – Harding – Humbolt – Como Park – Henry – Edison. We will be playing teams more at our level this year.”
DiopNFN: I think that’s awesome. Who’s your favorite team to play and why? Also, how was the 2019 section game against a tough Mound Westonka team? How can you build off that experience to find a better 2020 playoff outcome?
Diop: “My favorite team to play against is Roosevelt because they are close by and most of the kids come from the same community.
DiopWe have similar programs.The section game was a learning experience for me as a player. I played my absolute hardest that game and made a couple big plays. I had a 63 yard reception on a slant route to put us in position to score in the red zone, I had a 30 yard reception on a broken play where the QB kind of had to scramble, and I also had a few 10-15 yard receptions that game. It hurt to lose this game and know that my junior season was over. The loss motivates me to work very hard this offseason to have a better 2020 playoff outcome. My coaches and I have very high goals to myself and more importantly the team in 2020.”
NFN: Forsure. Now tell us about how the Bemidji State offer happened. Had y’all been in contact for a while? What did they say when they offered you and how did it feel? Also, how did it feel to hear from UWRF shortly after?
Diop: “Coach Bisch from Bemidji State University and I had been in contact since February 4th. Coach Bisch shared their fall schedule with me and wanted me to come up for a game. He also invited me to their “Junior Day”. Coach Bisch and I talked on the phone on April 13th, he asked me about my family, I told him about myself, about why I love football, and that I value my education. He told me about the campus in Bemidji as well as the culture they have on their football team. Towards the end he asked if I had any offers yet (which I didn’t). Then he said that they are going to be the first to offer me and that he was offering me at that moment. I was very happy and grateful to hear this. It felt great to get my first scholarship offer. Coach Bisch sounds like a great guy and we will continue to stay in touch! I had texted with Coach Matheson from UWRF a bit because he invited me to their virtual junior day. I enjoyed the virtual visit on April 14th. The next day Coach Walker (head coach) texted me and said he appreciated my presence on the zoom call and he offered me. He then sent me a nice graphic. I am grateful for this offer as well. This is another step forward in my recruitment process.”
NFN: Congratulations, that’s huge. What are some more hopes going forward with recruiting? Who else are you interested in and in contact with? Any camps planned or anything?
Diop: “I am ultimately interested and determined to play Division 1 football. With more hard work and a breakout senior season, I believe it is possible. Besides BSU I am interested in Mankato State, Souix falls (In contact with), Northern Iowa (UNI), North Dakota State (NDSU), South Dakota State (SDSU), North Dakota (UND), and Iowa State (ISU). I would like to go to any and every camp that I am invited to this summer or that I can sign up for. I especially want to go to the gophers recruiting camp, as many other MN players have gone too. As for my recruiting process I am looking forward to hearing from more coaches and possibly reaching out to some.”
NFN: Lastly, what do you think you could add to a college football program and what do you do well as a football player?
Diop: “I think I can add a very hard worker to a college football program, and I believe I will make an impact whenever my name is called. Not only am I dependable on the football field I am dependable off the football field. I value my education and feel I could be a great leader in that sense. I believe I am a smart football player and have great route running ability!”
I know I’ll be rooting for #23 next season, and I’m really excited to see where his football journey takes him. Stay tuned with NFN for more news on Diop and the Minneapolis South Tigers in 2020!