Justin Sibole Highlights

2014 DT/DE Justin Sibole (6’4, 275, 4.9/40, 4.6 shuttle) of American Heritage Plantation claims a verbal offer from Rutgers. He hears from Miami, UCF, USF, Michigan St. and Pittsburgh frequently.

This summer, Sibole camped at Miami and Rutgers and he talked about his camp experiences. “I went to Rutgers for their three-day camp. My goal was to learn as much as possible while displaying my talents and feel I did very well. I learned a lot and feel I got better.”

Sibole said the Rutgers staff is highly interested in him. “They said they really liked me; my aggressiveness, speed, and power. They are going to send the coach who recruits our area down to see me play this fall.

“Al Golden’s Camp was a very, very, good camp. It was my first camp, so I really didn’t know what to expect,” Sibole explained. “I was placed in the group of the Top 10 ends and tackles, all seniors except for me. They worked us pretty hard, I made some mistakes at first, but I learned from them quickly.” The Hurricanes have begun recruiting Sibole since he camped in Coral Gables.

He talked about several of his favorite programs. “After doing some research, talking to players on my team, talking to the coaches, I like what USF is doing right now. They’re an up and coming program and it’s close to home.

“Rutgers, I got to meet the coaches and see their campus, it’s a really nice atmosphere.

“I grew up a Florida St. fan and they’ve begun talking to me. FSU will always be there no matter what.

“I like really Pittsburgh. I have a family friend that plays for the Steelers, Marcus Gilbert (St. Thomas Aquinas, UF). He tells me how Pittsburgh is and what it’s like to live up there.

“I grew up an ice hockey fan, and Michigan St. has been a good hockey school and has become a good football school. They’ve been contacting me lately.

“Miami, I’d have to say my interest is very high,” Sibole said. “It’s the closest school to home. I’ve always heard about how dominant the Hurricanes were, and we try to emulate the defenses that our defensive coordinator, Mike Rumph, played on. I like the legacy that Miami has.”

Aside from mandatory workouts, he puts in extra work everyday to elevate his game. “I work with Michael Deeb and Sony Michel, lifting weights and doing some positional work. I feel a lot stronger and faster from the extra workouts.”

He’s been concentrating on becoming a more explosive lineman over the summer. “I’ve been working on my hips, making them stronger, using my hips to tackle. I’ve also been working on my technique, keeping my back flat and exploding out of my stance.”

Sibole feels he does several things well on the football field. “I feel I have multiple strengths. My overall power and play recognition are strengths, being able to read screens and draws, and I have the athletic ability to defense those plays,” he said. “On defense, our goal is to terrorize offenses.”

He talked about a few things that will be factored into his college decision. “Location won’t have that much to do with my decision. I’ll attend where I’m most comfortable and have a chance to play and contribute early, excel and get the best education.

“Early playing time will be important to me. I want to attend school where I can contribute early. I really would like to get in and make an impact.

“Academics is very important. Grades are important to the recruiting process and I’ve put forth the effort to get my grades where they need to be. Last year, I had a 3.2 GPA. My overall is 2.8 and that will improve this year.”

Sibole feels that American Heritage Plantation has the talent to make a serious state title bid. “Yes sir, absolutely. We have the talent to do it, but we have to play as a team. We have to have the mindset that we are better than them, not ‘I am better than you,’” he said. “It’s always the goal to win a state championship, but we have to take it one game at a time. We need to have everyone play to the best of their ability first, then we can talk about championships.”

Sibole told Deep South Recruiting he has no timetable on making a verbal commitment. “When I feel like I fall in love with a school and I feel like they want me, that’s when I’ll commit. No deadlines or anything like that.”

– Michael Bradley