Linebacker Ese Dubre is an important target for the 2021 class
Stanford offered Ese Dubre Aug. 16 and he immediately jumped to the top of the must-get board for the class.
Why? Because Stanford needs linebackers and so far does not have a commitment from one in the 2021 class after not taking one in 2020. Which is why it was so important to offer Dubre, a highly productive player at well-regarded McEachern High in Georgia who reports a 4.0 GPA.
Area recruiter and defensive coordinator Lance Anderson was the first Stanford coach to get in touch with Dubre about a month ago. He also connected with inside linebackers coach Eric Sanders and a couple weeks ago the two coaches hosted him on a virtual visit. He was offered soon afterward.
"I didn't think that Coach Anderson would give me an offer" so soon after they got in contact, Dubre said to Cardinal Sports Report in a phone conversation. "That was a good feeling right there.
"The virtual visit was one of the best I've experienced so far," he added.
The highlight of the "visit" for Dubre was watching the videos of current players explaining why they chose Stanford and what it has been like to attend the university.
"I think it's something I could see myself doing," he said of going to Stanford without visiting. "I know it's kind of crazy saying I would like to go to a place that is so far and I haven't been in there in person. But times have changed."
Dubre talks most often with coaches at Florida Atlantic University, South Carolina, Liberty, Duke, Yale and Stanford.
He said his parents' reaction when he got the Stanford offer was as excited as when he got the call from Yale. His mom, Danita, and father, Jerry, prioritize academics.
"Stanford is the best school to ever do it with academics and football," he said.
Unlike many high school players across the country, Dubre will have a senior season. (Or at least, the season will start and we'll see how it goes from there.) McEachern opens its season Thursday against North Gwinnett.
Dubre had a breakout junior season after playing a very limited role his sophomore year. Last season he had 108 total tackles, 15 TFL, 11 hurries, seven sacks, four forced fumbles and recovered three fumbles.
He also is one of the top linebackers in Georgia in the 220 weight class. He placed fifth in 2019 and fourth this year.
He teamed up in the linebacker corps with Chief Borders, who transferred to Carrollton for his senior season. Dubre and Borders have talked about the possibility of playing together at Stanford, something that Anderson and Sanders would welcome with open arms.