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Dalton Rodriguez ranked No. 1
Originally posted July 9, 2012
Union's Dalton Rodriguez is the No. 1 area defensive lineman in the All-World rankings. MIKE SIMONS / Tulsa World
All-World 2012: Union's Dalton Rodriguez is gaining attention
BY BARRY LEWIS Tulsa World Sports Writer
(Reprinted with Permission. This is not an endorsement.)
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All-World 2012: Who are the best high school football players? You decide. Related Story: All-World Defensive Linemen
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Not many high school football observers outside of the Union program were familiar with defensive end Dalton Rodriguez entering last season.
Rodriguez, however, will enter his senior season widely regarded as one of the state's top 25 players after receiving a scholarship offer from the University of Oklahoma and committing to the Sooners in May. And he will enter the season as the No. 1 area defensive lineman in the All-World rankings.
During last year's playoffs, Rodriguez emerged as a standout as he helped the Redskins win their fourth consecutive Class 6A state championship.
Rodriguez, who is 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds, has come a long way since last summer.
"We had high expectations for him as a sophomore," Union coach Kirk Fridrich said. "We just expected him to get better and better as he grew into his big frame. We really enjoyed how he came on toward the end of the season.
"He had a late start, but when he figured it out he really became a quality player for us."
Rodriguez had a season-high 10 tackles and a sack in the playoff opener against Southmoore. His pass-rushing and overall play helped key a defense that stopped opponents' last-minute drives in the final three playoff games to protect one-point leads.
"After we gave up the late touchdown to lose against Owasso, I knew we never wanted to lose again," Rodriguez said. "I would rather have the game be on the defense than anybody because I have confidence we can get it done."
Rodriguez continued the progress he showed late in the season into the winter workouts.
"He had a great offseason," Fridrich said. "He really set the pace, the tempo, with his work ethic. Whereas last year he was more of a raw athlete and was just trying to figure out how to play at a high tempo, this year he will enter the season playing at game speed a lot sooner."
Rodriguez wants to pattern his game off the Super Bowl champion New York Giants' defensive line.
"I like watching the Giants," Rodriguez said. "They've got the best defensive line. I like how physical they are and how they beat everyone."
Rodriguez hasn't slowed down since committing to the Sooners.
"He's working hard and it's paying off," Fridrich said. "We're excited about seeing what he's going to do this season."
Rodriguez is glad he will enter his senior season knowing where he's going to be playing college football.
"Since I committed, it feels like a weight off my shoulders," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez has a chance to wind up as one of the Redskins' all-time great defensive linemen.
"I don't know if he would be the best because of the history we have at Union, but he certainly could be on that roster." Fridrich said.
Although Rodriguez may wind up playing on defense at OU, he was recruited as an offensive lineman. During the spring and summer, he has been preparing to see action at offensive tackle this season to give Union depth at that position.
"We've been experimenting to see what he could do there, and we feel great about where he's at," Fridrich said. "He's big and athletic. You don't get to coach a player like this every year."
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ALL-WORLD 2012: DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
1. Dalton Rodriguez, Union
2. Novis Cullom, Memorial
3. Frankie Davis, Broken Arrow
4. Carlos Capehart, Kiefer
5. Parker A'Neal, Cascia Hall
6. Jacob Oakley, Jenks
7. Lota Ezenwa, Bishop Kelley
8. Jeremy Smith, Berryhill
9. Rico Yarbrough, NOAH
10. Jaelen Bledsoe, McLain
We want your vote
Today the World begins unveiling its rankings of the metro area's top high school football players by position.
Make your voice heard in the All-World rankings by going to tulsaworld.com/allworld
You can vote 10 times per email address per day. Voting ends at 5 p.m. Aug. 12.
Voting results will be announced in our annual high school football preview section Aug. 26.
Original Print Headline: Gaining attention
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