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Auburn High head coach Adam Winegarden called 2019 defensive end Mohamoud Diabate into his office a year ago and talked to him about the future.
"He basically prepared me for all this recruiting attention," Diabate said at this week's Mr. Football luncheon in Montgomery. "Coach Winegarden talked to me about how to handle it. After that, I tried to start carrying myself a little different. I knew the (college) opportunity would come if I kept working hard."
Diabate, a Class 7A Lineman of the Year finalist, received his first offer from Virginia on Feb. 28, 2017. Fifteen more have followed, and it appears to be just the beginning for the 6-foot-4, 220-pound junior.
"It's been really exciting," he told AL.com. "I'm really blessed to have an opportunity to play for these colleges. It's encouraging that they are interested in my abilities. It shows me that hard work is starting to pay off a little."
Diabate is ranked fifth among Alabama's 2019 prospects, according to the 247 composite ranking. The four-star Diabate is rated the 12th overall outside linebacker in the nation. He said he is comfortable playing either defensive end or linebacker.
"I think I'm a versatile guy," he said. "Wherever a college needs me, I think I can play. I can stand up or put my hand in the ground with equal success. I think my coaches can testify to that. I don't feel like anything is outside of my comfort zone."
Winegarden said Diabate has played mostly defensive end for the Tigers, but his college position may be determined by how much weight he puts on.
"I think 210 or 220 is a little light for an end spot in college," Winegarden said. "If he doesn't add a lot of weight, he will have to play up for sure, possibly play behind the football and also be a third-down edge guy. I could see him the way Alabama has used (former Auburn High star) Rashaan Evans."
As a junior, Diabate had 82 tackles, including 20 for a loss, and 10 sacks for the 10-2 Tigers. He was a first-team All-State selection. He has yet to receive an offer from either Auburn or Alabama, though he hopes to visit both in the coming weeks.
He said the SEC teams showing the most interest at this point are Florida, Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Georgia. Other offers include Louisville, Michigan and Nebraska.
"I'm really open right now," Diabate said. "I'll probably start trying to narrow it down this spring or summer. At that point, I'll have a rough idea of where I might want to go. I might commit before the season or I might commit on Signing Day. I'm just not sure yet."
Will Auburn, Alabama offer 4-star 2019 DE Mohamoud Diabate?
"He basically prepared me for all this recruiting attention," Diabate said at this week's Mr. Football luncheon in Montgomery. "Coach Winegarden talked to me about how to handle it. After that, I tried to start carrying myself a little different. I knew the (college) opportunity would come if I kept working hard."
Diabate, a Class 7A Lineman of the Year finalist, received his first offer from Virginia on Feb. 28, 2017. Fifteen more have followed, and it appears to be just the beginning for the 6-foot-4, 220-pound junior.
"It's been really exciting," he told AL.com. "I'm really blessed to have an opportunity to play for these colleges. It's encouraging that they are interested in my abilities. It shows me that hard work is starting to pay off a little."
Diabate is ranked fifth among Alabama's 2019 prospects, according to the 247 composite ranking. The four-star Diabate is rated the 12th overall outside linebacker in the nation. He said he is comfortable playing either defensive end or linebacker.
"I think I'm a versatile guy," he said. "Wherever a college needs me, I think I can play. I can stand up or put my hand in the ground with equal success. I think my coaches can testify to that. I don't feel like anything is outside of my comfort zone."
Winegarden said Diabate has played mostly defensive end for the Tigers, but his college position may be determined by how much weight he puts on.
"I think 210 or 220 is a little light for an end spot in college," Winegarden said. "If he doesn't add a lot of weight, he will have to play up for sure, possibly play behind the football and also be a third-down edge guy. I could see him the way Alabama has used (former Auburn High star) Rashaan Evans."
As a junior, Diabate had 82 tackles, including 20 for a loss, and 10 sacks for the 10-2 Tigers. He was a first-team All-State selection. He has yet to receive an offer from either Auburn or Alabama, though he hopes to visit both in the coming weeks.
He said the SEC teams showing the most interest at this point are Florida, Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Georgia. Other offers include Louisville, Michigan and Nebraska.
"I'm really open right now," Diabate said. "I'll probably start trying to narrow it down this spring or summer. At that point, I'll have a rough idea of where I might want to go. I might commit before the season or I might commit on Signing Day. I'm just not sure yet."
Will Auburn, Alabama offer 4-star 2019 DE Mohamoud Diabate?
