Cover Photo Credit: Tom Hauck – Student Sports

I talked with Phillips DB Dexter Warren (LPI #9 DB) on his commitment to NIU, his work with BOOM football over the offseason and personal goals for this season

You can find Dexter on Twitter @dexterwarren23.

Dexter Warren

Safety
Phillips
Chicago, IL

Ht: 6’1″
Wt: 165 lbs
Class: 2017

Commitment status: Northern Illinois

Photo Credit: Tom Hauck – Student Sports

LPI: What were the most important things you did this offseason and are now doing in practice so you can improve this season?

DW: One of the things I did this offseason was play 7on7 for BOOM. It helped a lot with my coverage and how to stick with the receiver better. I worked out very hard with some of my teammates, did a lot of extra drills and I believe it has payed off in my coverage these first few games.

LPI: You had other offers from Ball State and Central Michigan, but you ended up choosing Northern illinois. What made you pick the Huskies over your other offers?

DW: The thing with NIU that made me commit there is that when I first visited there it felt like home. The staff there is great and treated me and my family very well. I also like the way they run their defense. It’s like the defense we run at Phillips in coverage wise. That they produced DB to the NFL and that’s where I’m trying to go after I get my education.

What are your greatest strengths on the field?

DW: Strengths that I have is my speed and that I can flip my hips very well. I have good hands where if I see I can get a chance to make a play I’m going to make it. I’m a good teammate that will always pick my teammates up when they are down or made a bad play. I bring a very positive attitude to the game.

LPI: Coming off a state championship, do you feel like you guys have a target on your back? If so, how do you deal with that pressure?

DW: Yes we do have a target on our back and we know it. Every team wants to play us. Every team that plays us has played like it’s their championship game and has given it their all. Knowing this, we have to work harder than the other teams by putting in extra time in the playbook or putting in extra work on the practice field to get back to where we were last year and win back to back state titles.

LPI: What’re your personal and team goals for this season?

DW: This year my goals are to have 6 interceptions, 30 tackles or more, run at least two interceptions back for touchdowns, cause two fumbles and win another state title.

LPI: Yourself and Chris Elmore (LPI #14 DL) are highly recruited players on your team. Who are some of your teammates that you believe have a chance to play at the next level, but may not be getting the recruiting attention they deserve?

DW:

Xavier Nash – He’s not only my friend, but is a great player that, in my eyes, is very talented and underrated. Nash’s work ethic is great and he has a motor when he is on the field. He isn’t the biggest DL (6’1” 225 lbs), but is very coachable, physical, fast, and is isn’t afraid to go up against anybody. In my opinion, he and Chris (Elmore) are the top two d-lineman in the state.

Malik Brown – Malik is another player on our team that should have some D1 offers. He’s a great DB that can cover some of the best receivers in the state. Like Nash, he isn’t afraid to go up against anybody and while isn’t the biggest DB (5’10” 150 lbs) he will always give it his all. He is also very fast, has a high football IQ and is just a great all around athlete. I really think he and Nash should be getting more looks from college coaches.