Spring Tour Stop No. 9: Emerging Peach State LB very high on FSU

There is no questioning Georgia linebacker Kalen DeLoach's athletic ability.

He competes in the sprints, shot put and discus on the Islands High School track team, and he delivered a monster year in his first season at linebacker.

But when Islands High head football coach Robert Zoller is asked about his emerging linebacker prospect, who is being recruited by numerous SEC, ACC and Big Ten powers, the first things he wants to talk about is DeLoach's intangibles.

"He does so much more for our team and just his teammates," Zoller told Warchant. "Yesterday, I was painting the field for practice, and Kalen was up here counting jerseys, helping me paint the field. I can't get rid of him (laughing). He's just that type of kid that won't be outworked no matter where he goes to college."

Zoller, who is a longtime coach, said he has enjoyed watching DeLoach go through the recruiting process because the linebacker has been so appreciative of the interest from every school -- whether that be tiny Savannah State or the national powers like Florida State, Auburn, Michigan, Alabama and South Carolina.

"On the field, he makes everyone better," Zoller said. "I know that's a cliche for some players, but for Kalen, he absolutely is. He moved from tight end to linebacker and had 177 tackles for us. It was his first year playing linebacker. He shoots the ball, finishes really well on his tackles."

Zoller said DeLoach has some work to do at the position -- both with his pursuit angles and with shedding blocks -- but he said the 2019 prospect has worlds of potential.

This past weekend, DeLoach was on his high school's 4X100 relay team, which placed third at the region meet. He also competed in the shot put and discus.

When it comes to football, DeLoach has proven to be a quick study. When asked about it this week, he downplayed the challenge of moving from tight end to linebacker last season.

"I didn't really think about adjusting," DeLoach said. "Once I knew I was going to play there last year, I started training for it. I studied a lot of film. I'm big on preparing, so I think that helped a lot. I just love football, so it wasn't hard to make sure I was ready."

DeLoach, who now measures in at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, said he has worked hard to improve his speed over the last year. Many schools are recruiting him as an inside linebacker -- "I love hitting," he said -- and the three-star prospect has already started focusing on a couple of favorite colleges.

"FSU and Michigan, I would say. I have a really good relationship with Coach Woodie (FSU linebackers coach Raymond Woodie)," DeLoach said. "I vibed really well when I took a visit over there in the spring. He's a very good coach . I watched him at practice. I would say what's unique about him is the vibe and relationship we have personally, and the bond he has with my parents as well.

"I'm very high on FSU."