Very few recruits in Arizona State’s 2017 recruiting class have generated more buzz than Devilbacker prospect Doug Subtyl. The fact that his enrollment at ASU has been delayed by a handful of months, has only added to the high level of anticipation that the Sun Devil fan base has regarding this junior college transfer who is poised to be an immediate impact contributor next year.
Subtyl arrived from his native Haiti at age 14 and played football for the first time in his last two years at Flagler-Palm Coast High School in Florida. Being that English isn’t his native tongue, academics have often been a challenge for Subtyl and he was forced to go the junior college route and enroll at Victor Valley College in California.
The cross country move was worthwhile as the linebacker recorded a team-leading 52 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and a CCCAA leading 18 sacks in just 11 games in his sophomore campaign. His exploits earned him a four-star ranking and during the recruiting process the Sun Devils were able to distinguish themselves from the rest of his suitors and earned his pledge on October 22nd of 2015.
A long and grueling summer was spent trying to academically qualify for ASU, and when Subtyl fell short of that goal he spent the fall semester successfully completing three classes at Eastern Arizona College and once again signing with Sun Devils and this time he’s fully qualified to enroll for classes at ASU in the spring semester.
On his sentiments of finally qualifying academically to play at ASU
“Man, I feel amazing. It’s like a dream come true. I was upset (last summer) because I didn't make it and I was looking to maybe play at a D-II school. But the (ASU) coaches told me that if I just studied for months and get my grades up I should be good. I trusted them and I just stayed with it.”
On playing football for the first time when he arrived in the United States at age 14
“The only sport in Haiti is Soccer. There was no football. I wish there was. I tried to make the team my freshman year and I didn't make it. My sophomore year they told me that I didn't have the grades. I played on the JV team my junior year and then I moved to Varsity. Every level of football I played at was faster (than the previous) and because I was blessed with speed I was able to play well but I wouldn’t say it was easy for me.”
On the challenges of studying in a language foreign to him as he tried to qualify for a four-year college out of high school
“I was in special ESOL classes where teachers were reading the words to me and translating them. It was hard doing that, then going to practice and then going to church almost every day…it was hard getting used to all of it. My sister helped me out a lot because she was born here and knows the language better than me. It was hard leaving my family and going to a junior college, leaving everyone behind and starting a new life.”
On why he went cross-country to California to attend a junior college
“I picked Victor Valley because the head coach there (Dave Hoover) played ten years in the NFL. Just like me he didn't make it out of high school and had to go to a JUCO. But he went and played Division I football and I trusted he could help me. When I first got there I didn't start because I was the slowest guy there. I had to work my way up and prove to the coaches that I’m better than the guy who was starting ahead of me.”
As a freshman in 2014 Subtyl recorded 45 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks in nine games.
On the first time he was contacted by an ASU coach
“It was (former ASU) coach Jackie Shipp and the first thing he was talking to me about was the education. That was really the only school recruiting me that was talking about education and getting my degree. I really liked all the coaches there.”
On his impressions from his official visit to ASU
“It was my first visit to a university and I really like how everything was organized and how they treated the players. It was the first time I met a Division I head coach in Todd Graham and I liked listening to his story growing up and we just had that connection.”
Subtyl added that Florida State has been the most persistent school pursuing last year and this year and naturally highlighted the proximity factor. Once Shipp accepted a job at Missouri in 2016 he continued to pursue Subtyl as a member of the Tigers’ staff.
“I really didn’t like any of the schools in Florida and I liked traveling to California and going to a school near there.”
On how an earthquake seven months in Haiti where his mom lives affected him
“I didn't hear from my mom right away. I was having A’s in all of my classes and because I was worried and trying to get her on the phone I was failing my classes. I had one month to bring up all of my grades and it was hard because I couldn’t concentrate in class. I was always thinking about my mom because she is my motivation.”
Since then Subtyl has heard from is mom who survived that natural disaster,
Upon learning last summer that he didn't qualify to play for ASU, what made him decide to keep on trying for the next four months?
“I did it for my mom. She told me that everything happens for a reason and that I shouldn’t give up on my dreams. I was talking to some people about whether I should stay and try to qualify or just give up and go play D-II. In the end, I did what my mom said. The (ASU) coaches told me that it’s just going to be four months and I’ll be done and going to school in Tempe.”
On why he took his classes for the last four months at Eastern Arizona and not Victor Valley
“In Eastern Arizona, they helped you more with your classes. I had a tutor for each class. It was easier just going to the class and not playing football too. But I was working out all the time until finals week. I studied very hard so I don’t have to go through what I've been through before. ”
His thoughts on ASU’s play in 2016 (he attended every Sun Devil home game)
“I was upset watching the team play and I’m not there on the field. But once I make up my mind I stay with it. It was kind hard to watch but I knew I couldn’t wait to be done with my classes and be there with them. Florida State was contacting me all the time even though they knew I was sticking with Arizona State. Everytime I talked to the Arizona State coaches they made it easy on me to stick to my decision.”
On what the ASU coaches have been telling him in the last few months
“Coach Slocum and coach Graham said that when I get there they will take care of me and that I will graduate with my degree. That made me smile when they said ‘degree.’ That’s my goal too. I love the Devilbacker position and I think it’s a great fit for me. But I don’t care where they put me on the field as long as I can produce.”
On why he thinks he can be effective at the Devilbacker position
“Coach Slocum said I have the explosion, the speed, and quickness. I know I have a lot of work to do and I’m not there yet. I’m at 245 lbs. and I want to get up to 265 when the season starts. It’s going help a lot getting there in the spring and it’s better than what I was going to do this year getting there in the summer. I’m going to have more time to learn the plays, get in shape, get used to the speed and just get better.”
On whether he feels the pressure with the high expectations being placed on him
“I don’t think I feel pressure, but a lot of people were talking about how I’m going to do at ASU and stuff like that. For me, even though a lot of people think I’m very good, I know I can do a lot better. I’m always going to try to improve myself to be a better person and a better football player. I’m ready to get there and work hard.”
