Enyce Sledge is a 6’4 305-pound defensive tackle from Neville High School in Monroe, LA. First off, this young man has elite size for an interior defensive lineman. What impresses me the most is when I watched him sophomore year tape and even the tape from this season so far, the talent jumps off of the screen. Enyce is a strong, confident leader on his team coming into his junior year with all of the upside you could ask for. He does everything you need him to do; he defeats the double team, he holds his ground, he makes tackles. Enyce has a purpose and that purpose is to dominate on the gridiron and keep pushing so he sets and example for his little brother to never give up, as well as pushing so that one day he can be the one who takes care of his family. I feel bad for any opposing lineman he lines up against, especially if he is in a bad mood.
How long have you been playing football?
I have been playing football since I was in the 4th grade.
What is one of your biggest accomplishments you have had since you started playing?
One of my biggest accomplishments would be how I have become a team player and learned to work well with my teammates.
How was last season for yourself and for the team?
Last season was very successful for myself. For the team, we all came together as one and made it to the third round of the playoffs. Things did not go our way, but we stuck in it and kept fighting.
What do you mean by successful for yourself?
I became a starter as a sophomore on a team that was filled with seniors. I think that was a huge accomplishment and I earned it, so it was a success.
How has this season gone for you so far?
This season has been going well, we are 2-2 but things are looking good.
What kind of expectations do you have for this year?
I expect to go win a championship ring and bring it back home.
Are there any personal stats you want to achieve this year?
I want to rack up the sacks. If I come off the ball hard, I could see myself getting 8-10 a game.
Is there anyone that you have tried to model your game after?
Rashard Lawrence from LSU.
What is something you would like to improve the most about your game?
That is a tough one because everything has been going so well. I really don’t think there is anything I need to improve as of now.
What kind of things do you like to do in your free time?
Play video games, get D-line work in, do some random jobs, and workout with others to try and help everyone get better.
Do you play any other sports?
Yes sir, I play basketball. I am a power forward/center.
How hard was it to get ready for the season with the uncertainty of if we were even going to have football this year?
It was very hard. I would wake up at 6 o’clock every morning with my little brother and get after it. I would eat a lot, I’m a 300-pounder so I eat a lot of food. It was very tough, but I kept pushing and I keep fighting.
What do you love the most about playing football?
I would say I love to enjoy the moment and enjoying the moments with my teammates. Man, I just love playing ball.
What was it like getting significant playing time as a sophomore?
It was great. It may have not started off too well, but I worked my way up. I stayed working hard on and off the field and earned my spot. The upper classmen were not very happy about it at first, but I belonged there.
How has it been trying to become a leader considering some of the older guys on the team were not too fond of you to begin with?
It has not been very hard, especially as of late. Me and my teammates have earned the respect of each other. When it is game time, we all step up. There is not just one leader on the team, we are all leaders.
How do you get ready for a game?
I like to go sit in a room and think about my past and everything that I’ve been through. I have one song that I like to listen to during that time and that gets me ready.
What motivates you to keep playing football?
I’m motivated by my past and my family. I see my mother get up every day to work a 9-5. I see my little brother, who looks up to me. My brother was diagnosed with a type of kidney cancer and seeing that drives me the most to get up and go work hard. My brother won’t lie down and quit, and neither will I.
What do you want to get out of playing football?
I want to make it to the league. It is and always has been a dream of mine. I remember watching college football for the first time and saw the Arkansas Razorbacks play, I knew right then I wanted to make it to that level and beyond to play. At first college was like the NFL to me, now obviously I know where I want to go beyond high school and even further beyond that.
How would you describe yourself as a player and how would your teammates describe you?
I would describe myself as a hardworking player, I’m very helpful and my teammates know they can count on me and that I care about them.
Any advice you would recommend for some younger players?
I would say that you cannot let anyone bring you down. There were some players who tried to bring me down, but I worked hard every day and never let them get to me. Just stick with it and don’t let anyone take away your courage.
