DE,
6-7,
240,
4.7,
400 BP
Hopkinsville, KY
Nickname: O
High School: Hopkinsville HS
Junior College: CCSF
JC Number: 50
AL Number: 50
Official Visits: Alabama, Minnesota, Arkansas
Second Choice:Arkansas
Host During Alabama Visit: Canary Knight
Committed: 2-2-2000
Roommate To Be: Connie Brown
Oglesby was named a Super JUCO 75 by PrepStar. He was a first-team All-Golden Gate Conference selection and a first-team JC Grid-Wire All-American. He was also a California Community College Football Coaches Association All-America pick.
Two years ago Oglesby played with current Tide star Milo Lewis at City College of San Francisco.
Q&A with Shawn Oglesby
TI: Shawn, the past three years Alabama has signed five players from CCSF. Did the success of Miguel Merritt and Milo Lewis attract you to Alabama?
SO: Actually, I've liked Alabama since I was little kid. I have an aunt and uncle who live in Alabama and I've always followed Alabama because of them. I liked Alabama's great tradition.
I talked to Canary, Miguel and Milo about Alabama and they said that if I wanted to play big-time college football then Tuscaloosa, Alabama is the place to be. Plus, I watched Alabama a lot on TV last season. I could tell they're headed in the right direction. I'm looking forward to getting there.
TI: Why did you choose Alabama? And, when did you make the decision?
SO: The first time I talked to Coach Cottrell I knew I wanted to go to Alabama. I talked to him before last season and he told me that they were going to be watching me. In December, he came out and watched me play in the national title game. After the game he told me that they had a scholarship for me if I wanted it. I made the decision right then.
TI: Did you have a good game?
SO: I had a really good game. I had two big plays late in the game that helped us win. We were up 13-6 in the fourth quarter. They had the ball at our 12-yard line. On third down I sacked the quarterback -- I think I had two sacks in the game. Then on fourth down I blocked a field goal.
TI: You had 16 sacks this season. Are you primarily a pass-rushing specialist?
SO: Right now I am because of my weight. I'm 240, but I need to get up to around 260 to become an every-down player. My weight is my only weakness. I've got the speed coming off the corner to cause a lot of problems for offensive tackles and quarterbacks.
TI: Are you concentrating now on gaining weight?
SO: Very much. That's my main goal right now. I'm working out with the team [CCSF] and eating a lot. My strength is increasing a lot. I'm benching 400 now. I just need to add the weight and I'll be ready then.
TI: Have the Alabama coaches told you how they plan to use you?
SO: They've told me that at first they'll use me mainly for pass-rushing situations, but when I increase my weight I'll play more in running situations.
TI: When do you plan to report to Alabama?
SO: They want me to be there around July 4th, but I hope to get there sooner. I was supposed to graduate in December and be at Alabama for spring practice, but when the SEC raised it's academic standards I had to come back here and take a couple of English courses. I'll graduate in May.
TI: Are there any prospects at CCSF that might be interested in Alabama next year?
SO: We have two guys that have been watching Alabama. Kai Ellis [6-5, 250, 4.6] is a middle linebacker. In the early part of last season, he backed me up at defensive end before coach converted him to linebacker. He had a great season and will a big-time recruit next year. He was committed to Washington when he came out of high school, but he says he's going to go with the best opportunity he gets.
Ronald Jones [5-11, 175] is a cornerback. I think he's every bit as good as Milo. In fact, he and Milo are good friends and he's been down to Alabama a couple of times to visit Milo. He says he really likes Alabama a lot. If he gets the chance, I think that's where he'll go.
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