The New Class: DAndre Plantin
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Height: 6'5"
Weight: 270
Position: Offensive lineman
Hometown: Norcross, Ga.
High School: Norcross
Rivals.com Rating: 5.5, three stars
Recruited by: Stacy Searels
Has your size changed at all?
My weight is now at 293. Someone told me I was 6'6" but the last time I went to the doctor, they said I was 6'5".
What does your workout routine entail?
First, I start off with conditioning. I get in about 16 110's every day, just prepping myself for the conditioning test coming in as a freshman. I have th come in conditioned and ready. I've been working at Georgia Sports Performance, working out with college guys, doing speed and agility and working, running for like two hours. I do that twice a week. On my own, with my trainer, I do running almost every day.
When do you plan on reporting to Virginia Tech?
I'll be reporting with the regular students, so I'll be leaving July 4, because of the ride. I'll sign in July 5 at 8 in the morning.
What do you plan on working or improving on through this summer?
As far as player wise, I wanna get up there and make sure I have a bond with each one of the players. I don't wanna be that outsider. Going into technique and fundamentals, I know my feet are at a decent level and my footwork is at a decent level, so I'm working on getting stronger, getting ready to play against grown men. Right now, it's just fundamentals, technique, sitting, kick-steps, IQ stuff, reading coverages, reading the linemen and things of that nature.
How would you describe your playing style?
I play to the whistle, very energetic in the game. When we're scoring, I'm one of the loudest ones. When I do something...or when one of my teammates do something, I'm there to congratulate them. But in being a leader at my high school has taught me that people react to different things. Sometimes my tainting or personality seems hype or I just talk too much. Football is a communication game. If I can get in the opponent's head, we've already won the game. I feel my strongest suit is pass-blocking, but I'm trying to benefit my run-blocking by getting stronger. That's something I can improve in.
What are some goals you've set for your freshman year?
I wanna help the team in special teams and that nature. If I have the opportunity, I wanna start. If it doesn't happen, I'm just gonna redshirt, get stronger, get mentally sharp and come back astronger beast the next year. That's the goal for pretty much anyone as a freshman, coming in and starting, making an impact on the team, not being a guy who just got signed. I wanna be remembered for a contribution I made to help the team progress.
What player or team are you most looking forward to going up against?
Oh, UVA most definitely. I'm ready for that UVA game. I was training with GSP with the running back from UVA, Jordan Ellis. We used to play them in high school. I was just telling him, 'Hey, 10-0. You'd better watch out, we're gonna go to 11-0!' I'm already ready for that rivalry.
What's your favorite food?
A burger will always set me right. Steaks are beautiful. If I get a burger, I'm gonna get a bacon barbecue cheddar burger, medium well, fries and my one sauce I have to have with everything is honey mustard. It's beautiful, so beautiful.
What is your favorite movie?
I can say my favorite would be eightr 'Juice' with Omar Epps or there was this movie out called 'Starship Troopers.' I used to watch that every day and I could still watch it now and act like I never saw it.
What is your favorite TV show?
'Martin.'
What's the one song you're getting hyped up to before a game?
WOOOO! I usually come out with a play list, a lot of rap music. Man, if there's one song that can get me hype it's probably, 'Knuck If You Buck.' That'll get you hype.
What would be three words to describe you?
Athletic, high IQ and a gentleman.
If you could date any celebrity, who would it be?
WOOO! Ok, it would be a tug of war, but I would have to go with Meagan Good. That's my kryptonite right there.
If you could go toe to toe in the ring with anybody, who would it be?
I think I wanna go against Money Mayweather. Not for the win, just for the money.
What's been your most memorable experience playing football?
Winning two state championships in Georgia at the highest classification. That was beautiful.
What's the one thing you learned from your recruitment that you would pass on as advice to a future recruit?
I'll say this to any younger guy coming up, if the place feels like home, it is home. If it feels like somewhere you can say, 'I can be here for four years,' then that's home.
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