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MSA is proud to launch a new Q&A series called ‘Inside the Helmet,’ where we’ll be taking you beyond the gridiron and inside the minds of some of the top high school football players around Maryland and D.C.
This year, Northwest — coming off a 7-4 season — has the pieces to return to championship form, like when they won back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014. Jules will serve as a cornerstone in the front-seven during the Jaguars’ march back to the state tournament.
Question: When and how did you get into football?
Answer: I got into football when I was 6; played for Germantown football league. Then, after that, I played for Montgomery Village. At 15, I left Germantown. In fifth grade, I wasn’t fully committed to playing football. I guess that’s because I didn’t have any family members who played football. It’s just a thing I picked up over time.
Q: Do you remember your first football moment?
A: I don’t remember, but I remember my first time playing on varsity. It was against Blair. I was nervous, but I was also so excited. After that, I was just like, “This is like the thing for me.” Our senior got injured, so so they started me for half the season; freshman year. Ever since that, I’ve been working on my technique and stuff to get better. Coach Neubeiser helped me a lot on the [defensive] line — getting low, gaining speed, getting stronger. So, yeah.
Q: So, your first varsity game was when you were a freshman?
A: Yeah. It was against Blair [in] Week 5, I think. It was the second half, our senior got injured, [Coach Neubeiser] put me in, and I just tried to do what I can do.
Q: Awesome. So this year, what are the expectations for yourself, first, and then for your team?
A: Well, it’s my part on the line to help the team the best that I can — getting low, firing off the ball, using technique, flipping my hips. The team overall, we just focus on the first game — the scrimmage on Saturday, actually, against Wise, Sherwood and Old Mill. We’re just focused on that game. Just gotta keep coming out here, like today was a sloppy practice, actually. We just have to keep bringing that intensity up and focus on our objective, which is getting to playoffs first, then getting to states.
Q: Coach Neubeiser, he told me last year that you have the potential to be one of the greatest defensive players to ever come out of this county. And if you didn’t know already, there’s a long list of guys who have come through Montgomery County, like Darnell Dockett. When you hear that, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?
A: Wow. I’m thinking, like, I got a chip on my shoulder. Like, I got to come out with a chip on my back. I gotta like, come out every play, give 110 percent. Come out like nobody can stop me.
Q: How much of your success is based on natural ability and how much of it has come from working at it?
A: That’s a good question. You said how much of my success comes from natural ability and work ethic?
Yes
A: Well, ninth grade year, I wasn’t that good. Most of my success has come from working on it, like getting in the weight room, coming out here and practicing — working with Coach Neubeiser. So most of it has come from my work ethic.
Q: What is one thing you’d like to improve about yourself? It can be anything — from a personal standpoint to football.
A: I have more than one thing. For football, it’s speed, getting low, and yeah, just speed and getting low. That’s the key.
Q: Who is your favorite football player of all-time and why?
A: Favorite football player is Lawrence Taylor. I just like how he’s so aggressive and the way he comes off the ball, using his hands. So powerful, too.
His style of play is a good one to model after.
Jules: Yeah
Q: What are some other hobbies you partake in off the football field?
A: I play pickup basketball games with all my friends. I also game a little bit, on the PS4. And then we have seven-on-seven games, my friends and I. That’s basically it.
Q: If there was one NFL or college coach you’d want to be coached by, who would that be and why? It can be from past to present.
A: Hmmm … NFL or college coach …
Q: Putting you on the spot, huh?
A: Yeah. [laughter] … I’d say John Harbaugh.
Q: Why him?
A: That’s just my favorite team, the Ravens. That’s been my favorite team since I was a little kid.
Q: If you were to participate in the Olympics, what sport would you chose and why?
A: Shot put. I actually did shot put last winter. I went to states … and I’m pretty good at discuss, too. I went to states for that also. I won regionals for that, too. I came second at regionals in shot put and won regionals in discuss.
Q: Are you a Gatorade or Powerade type of guy? Or do you roll with water? What’s your go-to drink on the sideline?
A: We have water, mostly. I drink that every day. But I drink Gatorade often.
Q: Have you ever thought about what you’re going to do after football?
A: I plan on majoring in business in college; build my own business after [school].
Q: Oh yeah? That’s cool. What kind of business?
A: I really don’t know yet. [laughter]
Q: Well, that’s OK. You just want to own a business some day?
A: Yeah. I’ve always wanted to. Just need to figure out what.
Q: Speaking of college, how many offers do you have?
A: I have seven so far … Maryland, North Carolina, Marshall, Pitt, ECU, Wake Forest and Purdue.
Q: That’s awesome. Do you have, say, like a dream school?
A: Dream school? Not anymore. I used to.
Q: What was it?
A: It was Florida State. But since offers started to come in, I don’t have a dream school anymore. I’ve seen a lot now, a lot of college campuses that I like.
Q: For us media members who cover the high school football scene, what would you like to see us do better in or something — anything — that needs to be covered more? Any ideas, just let them fly.
A: Hmmm … actually, I think y’all do a good job.
Q: Oh, yeah?
A: Yeah. [laughter]
I think we’ll end there. Thank you, DeAndre.
Jules: You’re welcome. [laughter]
