NFL
By: William Carroll
One of my favorite things is to happen upon a really good player by accident. Last year I was very interested in Charles Tuaau of Texas A&M-Commerce and I had heard great things about Angelo State’s QB Kyle Washington. While I watched him I noticed that on defense Angelo State had a high-energy, defensive lineman that flashed really good technique, power at the point of attack and the ability pass-rush as well as to control the interior. So I watched two more Angelo State games and each time Clayton Callicutt showed up and made things happen.
The son of a coach and a truly hard worker, Clayton Callicutt is just the type of player that will prove hard to cut once he gets in an NFL camp. Astonishingly productive, Callicutt followed a 20 tackle for loss, 8 sack 2014 with, with a jaw-dropping 21 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks this past season. No matter the level, location or scheme you don’t produce like that without talent and technique. I won’t be shocked if he beats the odds and plays in the league.
I have had the pleasure of watching your career from your time at Angelo State. What would you say are the 5 biggest and best lessons you’ve learned on your journey?
Clayton Callicutt: 1. I played at Angelo State University from 2012-2015. The five biggest lessons that I have learned since my time at Angelo State were:
- Becoming more of a team leader, vocally and by example
- Embrace the grind and enjoy the process of what college football is about
- Be a student of the game. Look over film religiously and study the playbook
- Take of my grades. College isn’t just about playing football. It’s about getting an excellent education as well
- Play for your University and learn to work with others regardless of being on the field or in a work setting.
The next question, you played for Coach Flannigan at Crosby High School, what was that program like and what kind of coach was he?
Clayton Callicutt: 2). I played for Kevin Flanigan of Crosby High School from 2008-2011. Coach Flannigan was the type of coach that preached the importance of being on time and getting your business done on and off the field. The number one quote that I will always remember from Coach Flannigan was, “If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late. If you’re late, it’s unacceptable”. The way we implemented our offense and defense was an up-tempo offense with a 3-3-5 stack on our defense my senior year. With a traditional 4-3 the previous three years.
Who were your major rivals?
Clayton Callicutt: 3). Our rivals were; West Texas A&M, Texas A&M-Commerce, Tarleton State.
- Your home area is loaded with talent Leo Rucka and current stud RB Craig Williams to name a few who are some of the best players you played with or against while you were in high school or growing up?
Clayton Callicutt: 4). Some of the best players that I played with in High School were Chance Casey (2005-2008), Dominic Merka (2007-2010), Donovan Starks (2008-2011), and Aston and Austin Walter (2010-2013). The best players that I have ever played against were Aaron Ripkowski (2007-2010) and Darian Wright (2007-2010).
What was your recruitment process like, who was interested and how did you choose your school?
Clayton Callicutt: 5). Schools that were interested in me throughout the recruiting process were; Houston, McNeese State, Sam Houston State, Northwestern State, Texas Lutheran, West Texas A&M, Angelo State, Abilene Christian. My position coach Gary Salgado came up to my coach’s office after my senior year and gave me a brochure about Angelo State. Once I was dropped by McNeese State, I decided to take a trip to San Angelo, Texas to see what Angelo State had to offer. Once I took my visit to Angelo State University, I fell in love with the campus and the direction of which the football program was going and wanted to be a part of it. I loved my four years at Angelo State and wouldn’t regret a thing about the choice I made about where I played in College.
- What was the best game and the biggest play you made as a high school player?
Clayton Callicutt: 6). The best game I ever had in High School was against Port Neches-Groves my senior year where I had seven tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. The biggest play I made from my High School career came from the same game where Port Neches-Groves had the ball with 2:00 left in the game and I made a sack that decided the outcome of the game and gave us a 30-29 victory.
What was you big “Welcome to College Football” Moment?
Clayton Callicutt: 7). The biggest “Welcome to College Football” moment that I ever had was when I was a freshman in my second game against Chadron State. Chadron had a tackle by the game of Garrett Gilkey who now is in the NFL. Late in the game, he had blocked me down field and planted me on my butt fifteen yards down field. It was from that point on that I needed to get stronger to never allow someone to do that to me ever again.
What is your current height/weight and what are your testing numbers?
Clayton Callicutt: 8). 6’3 7/8” 289, 40 Time. 4.88-5.1 (according to one of the scouts at my pro day) Vertical. 26.5”, Broad Jump. 9’3”, 225 Bench. 18 Reps, Short Shuttle: 4.48 (Edmonton Workout), 3-Cone Drill. 7.31 (Edmonton Workout), 60 Yard Shuttle. 12 seconds.
- How have the systems and staffs at your school impacted your development?
Clayton Callicutt: 9). Our scheme was a 4-2-5. In our scheme, I was able to develop as a player that could play offi the edge and inside. I played as a six tech, a 5, and a 3. During off-season, our Strength and Conditioning program was top-class. Not only was I able to develop with my strength and speed, but I was also able to work on my flexibility. I give all my gratitude to Chad Herring for giving me the opportunity to become bigger, faster and stronger.
Which coaches have had the greatest impact on you and why?
Clayton Callicutt: 10). Growing up with coaches around me all my life due to the fact that my father is a coach, I have had plenty of coaches that have been a positive influence in my life. Starting in High School, Coaches Grover Smith, Michael Keel, and Kevin Flannigan were positive role models for me in the development of me being a college athlete. Coach Smith brought wisdom and guidance through faith which has allowed me to become more spiritual with my faith. Coach Keel taught me the importance to treat everyone with respect and to be myself. Coach Flannigan taught us the importance to be great men in society. At the College level. My influences were: Will Wagner, Gary Salgado, Pierce Holt, and Jeff Girsch. Coach Wagner taught us the importance of being a team and playing for our University. He also taught us life lessons towards becoming better men in society. Coach Salgado helped me develop my craft towards becoming a better pass rusher. Coach Holt helped me with the opportunity of becoming a better defensive linemen and reading what the guard or tackle will do on their pass set. Coach Girsch taught me the importance of playing loose and free. The biggest influence is my hero and role model, my dad, Johnathan Callicutt. My dad taught me how to appreciate and love the game.
How hard was to adjust to the verbiage, system and play-book and when did you feel 100% comfortable?
Clayton Callicutt: 11). At the beginning, it was extremely difficult to understand the play book coming right out of high school. Within a few weeks of going over and walking through our specific blitz and stunts, I became fully comfortable with being able to run everything that our defense had to offer.
- Who have been your favorite teammates, and why?
Clayton Callicutt: 12). My favorite teammates have been Austin Benson, Rush Seaver and Kyle Washington. With Austin, he was able to help me out when I came into college with being able to understand the playbook and to develop myself as a team player when I was just an eighteen-year-old freshman. With Rush, we were able to understand what was needed to be done. He was a great leader on our defense for three years and was tenacious when it came to making plays. Kyle was one of the most explosive quarterbacks that I have ever seen play that position. He was our leader and knew our system well.
- Who have been your favorite opponents and why?
Clayton Callicutt: 13). My favorite opponents were Toni Pulu and Marquise Christian. Toni was a Defensive End/ Defensive Tackle from Texas A&M-Commerce that had a great motor and was relentless on the run and pass. I have the most outright respect for him due to his commitment towards the game. Marquise Christian was a Safety from Midwestern State who covered well on the back end and who would come down and hit you when he got the opportunity to do so. He became a guy who was cool to talk to due to our time training at the Athletic Lab in Katy, Texas.
Which NFL players do you think your game most closely resembles and why?
Clayton Callicutt: 14). JJ Watt, Derrick Thomas, Reggie White, Michael Strahan, Von Miller, Lawrence Taylor, Jared Allen, Bruce Smith, and DeMarcus Ware are players that I enjoy or have enjoyed watching highlights of and would wish to emulate their craft due to their relentless pursuit to the football and their ability to pass rush.
- What NFL team[s] are your favorites and why?
Clayton Callicutt: 15). My favorite team is the Houston Texans. Being from the city of Houston, it is only fair to say that I love the home town team due to the fact that it would be a dream come true to be able to wear the colors of Battle Red, Liberty White, or Steel Blue. I would love to line up with JJ Watt and create havoc in the opponents’ backfield in front of a big crowd at NRG Stadium.
Which NFL players do you think your game most closely resembles and why?
Clayton Callicutt: 16). To be honest, I believe my game resembles a bit of JJ Watt. I watch his highlights on a constant basis and enjoy seeing him perform on Sundays due to never ending motor and his fantastic work ethic towards getting better. I compare myself to the way he plays due to the similar attributes and characteristics that he has such as the ability to shed blocks on the run and to be able to study specific ways an offensive lineman is going to pass set to allow for myself to make the right move to get a sack.
When football is over what would you like to do with your education?
Clayton Callicutt: 17). When my career in football ends, I would like to give back by becoming a High School football coach. I want to be able to also teach. My major is History with a Secondary Certification in order to teach 6-12th grade. My dream is to become a Defensive Coordinator for a specific High School that my Father is the Head Coach for.
Finally, if you could go back in time to talk to 17 year-old you, what would you tell him?
Clayton Callicutt: 18). If I could go back and tell a seventeen-year-old me what was in store for him, I would tell him to work hard on and off the field and to be a great teammate, friend, and to enjoy and embrace the grind.
- And what would you do differently if you could do it all over again?
Clayton Callicutt 19). There isn’t anything that I would change. I made a great decision in choosing Angelo State University as the school to get a great education and to play the greatest game in the world at.
- What [if any] is/are your nickname[s] and how did you get it/them?
Clayton Callicutt 20) My nickname is Cali. People call me that because my last name is Callicutt. Some people think that I get called Cali because I am from California. But I am not from the West Coast. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I get called Cali for the soul purpose of people not having to call me Callicutt. It has stuck since I was in High School.
