Catching Up With The Signees: Kaimon Rucker
Kaimon Rucker’s letter of intent to play at North Carolina was signed, sealed and delivered last December and the only thing left to do now is get to Chapel Hill.
Rucker is a 3-star defensive end out of Hartwell, GA. The six-foot-one and a half, 240-pound UNC signee is ranked as the No. 45 weakside defensive end in the 2020 class, receiving over 28 scholarship offers from programs across the country.
A standout performer at Hart County High School, Rucker racked up 130 tackles, 15.5 sacks, 30 tackles for loss and 50 pressures over his final two seasons. His impressive prep career saw him named AAA all-state and first-team 8-AAA all-region as a senior.
THI caught up with Rucker to discuss what he’s been doing during the COVID-19 shutdown and to look ahead to when he arrives on campus:
THI: How have things been going with you and your family during the coronavirus shutdown? Is everyone healthy and okay?
RUCKER: “Everyone is healthy and well. During this time, it’s obviously been tough because the virus knocked us off our usual schedule. However, like everything else, we learn to adapt and still get things done, whether that’s around the house or our individual work.”
THI: How much working out are you able to do and what have you been focusing on?
RUCKER: “I’ve actually been finding good work during the lockdown. My uncle knows a guy that has a gym in his garage, so we do all types of CrossFit workouts. As well as my neighbor, he has a full rack in his garage and we do your general lifts like back squats, bench, etc.
“At home I’ve been able to get some great auxiliary lifts in as well. There’s not really anything I’m focusing on, however, I am working on getting my muscle endurance up while getting stronger.”
THI: How often are you in contact with UNC coaches and are they monitoring your progress or anything like that?
RUCKER: “They keep in frequent contact with me. (Offensive line) Coach (Tim) Cross sends motivational texts that I need most of the time, which is really cool. They don’t necessarily monitor my progress, they just make sure I’m healthy and well and staying on top of my academic work.”
THI: What is your height and weight now and what weight do you plan on being when you eventually arrive in Chapel Hill?
RUCKER: “Six-foot-one and a half, 240 pounds and the weight I want to be at is at 255.”
THI: The players that don't enroll in January usually do so in June for summer school, but on-campus classes for the summer have been cancelled. Are you still going to enroll online and at least get your course work started or is that something you and the coaches are still trying to figure out?
RUCKER: “As of right now, I don’t know how the scheduling is going to be, so that’s something me and the coaches are going to have to figure out.”
THI: If things return to normal this summer, do you have any special plans or things you want to do before enrolling at UNC?
RUCKER: “No sir, not that I can think of. The main thing is to spend as much time with my family and people who mean a lot to me because I know, once I leave, I’m not gonna have that much time anymore.”