An Interview with Valdez Showers

Valdez Showers is a versatile athlete out of Madison Heights, Michigan, mainly being recruited as a defensive back. Sitting in Michigan's backyard, Valdez has an offer from the Wolverines and just  picked up a somewhat surprising offer from Florida. Auburn, Michigan State, and others have offered.

First his junior highlight film:

There's film on him from a 7 on 7 tournament, as well. Here's what Showers had to say.

TOM: Word on the street is that you received an offer from Florida recently?

VALDEZ: Yeah, I went down there on the 16th to visit the school. I camped the next day, and I could tell that the coaches were impressed. When I got home, I talked to one of the coaches, and he offered me a scholarship. They just said that overall I'm a great player, and I would fit well at cornerback for them.

TOM: Is that what most schools are recruiting you for? Cornerback?

VALDEZ: Yeah, that's what pretty much everyone sees me at. 

TOM: That's a pretty big offer; how many total do you have now?

VALDEZ: I have a total of around 16 now. I don't have a top list yet, though. I'm going to sit down this week, and see if I can narrow it down. 

TOM: There has to be some schools that stick out to you, though, right?

VALDEZ: Yeah, I mean, Florida sticks out because they have great football, and academics. Michigan sticks out, they'll probably be in the top group, too. I have a good connection with the coaches at Michigan, and they're well rounded, too.

TOM: When you say you want to narrow your list down, how are you going to decide who makes the cut? You have some nice offers from Auburn, Cinci, Michigan, and Florida, what's the criteria?

VALDEZ: I'm looking for great academics, great football, and a good coaching staff, of course. I really want to find the school that's the right fit for me, though. So, I'm not sure when I'll decide. I just want to take my time with it, and put it in God's hands.

TOM: With some offers out of state, and across the country, how will distance factor in?

VALDEZ: Distance won't be a factor. I'll just go where ever is best for me. My mom was excited when I got the Florida offer, and she's said that she'll come watch me play where ever I go, so that doesn't matter.

TOM: Were you able to make it back up for the Sound Mind Sound Body camp this weekend?

VALDEZ:  Yeah, I went, but my flight got delayed from Florida. I came late to the second day, so I couldn't do a whole lot. I got to talk to a couple coaches from Michigan, and they were telling me to come back up and visit sometime soon. I'm going to try to get back up there pretty soon. I'm not sure when, though.

TOM: Since you're from Michigan, are you friends with any of the other Michigan recruits? Do they try to recruit you?

VALDEZ: I'm friends with Shawn Conway. We met through the 7 on 7's, and became cool through that. He doesn't really try to recruit me, he just tells me to pick the best school for me.

TOM: Describe yourself as an athlete to someone who has never watched film on you.

VALDEZ: I'm a leader on the field, a hard worker, explosive, fast, and I just make plays. I ran the 40 at the Florida camp, and I was timed at a 4.48, and a 4.5. I have a hamstring injury, too, so I know I can run faster than that.