4-Star Cesar Ruiz Discusses Recruitment Updates and Love of Denzel Washington

LOGANVILLE, Ga. — On the field, 4-star offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz is strictly about business.

It’s fitting that while he hasn’t settled on a major in college, business was the first field that came to his mind when he pondered the subject.

However, if playing football at the highest level wasn't in the equation, there's another side of his talents that he would likely explore.

“My dream job...I’d probably say I’d be an actor. I love Denzel Washington, so I’d try to be like him,” Ruiz told Bleacher Report.

When asked what his favorite film featuring the legendary actor was, Ruiz didn’t hesitate.

“Training Day is my favorite Denzel movie. He was so good in that movie,” he said.

While he has an idea about his favorite interest away from the field, Ruiz has kept things relatively quiet with his recruitment.

He didn’t take any visits over the summer, instead choosing to train for the upcoming season with national prep powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Ruiz—who is the top center prospect in the country and the No. 66 player overall in the 2017 class—anchors a stout offensive line that has helped the Ascenders start the season with two impressive victories.

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TOP 8️⃣ God Bless pic.twitter.com/XNNvp254tN

— S A U C Y ™ (@_OverCees) June 26, 2016"

IMG's latest win came in a 26-7 slugfest over Grayson High School (Georgia). As detailed by Alex Makrides of USA Today, Ruiz helped blow open enough holes for quarterback Kellen Mond—a 4-star passer committed to Texas A&M—to rush for 137 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Rams.

One thing Ruiz did do over the summer in relation to his recruitment was release a list of his top eight schools. Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, North Carolina and Oklahoma made the cut for Ruiz, who has more than 30 reported offers to his credit.

With plans on becoming an early enrollee at the school of his choice, Ruiz has only a few months to arrive at a decision. The fact that IMG plays a number of games on Saturdays during the season could complicate his plans to take all of his official visits.

“I got a couple of officials planned, but I’m not going to release that yet. Because I don’t know if I will get to take all five officials because of our schedule here,” Ruiz explained. “It may not allow it. I want to be an early graduate. We’ve got a lot of Saturday games too. It depends on if I’m allowed to take all five or if I will only get to take a couple. That’s why I haven’t released anything yet.”

While Ruiz insisted that his top schools are all equal, two schools that have done a good job in building a strong relationship with the Camden, New Jersey, native are Michigan and Oklahoma.

“With Michigan, they have been a longtime favorite,” Ruiz said. “I’ve got a lot of great people that I know there. I’ve got a lot of good, close friends there. I’ve got a great relationship with the coaching staff. That’s one of the schools where my position coach isn’t the only one recruiting me. The entire staff is constantly talking to me. It’s not an annoying thing. It’s more a quick text like, ‘How you doing?’”

He has a similar affinity for the Sooners, primarily thanks to the efforts of offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh.

“Oklahoma is the same way. Coach Bedenbaugh checks on me almost every day to see how I’m doing,” Ruiz said. “He wishes me good luck before my games and things like that. Both of those schools [Michigan and Oklahoma] are really good schools.”

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 That's Too Much Sauce  #GoBlue 〽️ pic.twitter.com/Qc5To5CqGv

— S A U C Y ™ (@_OverCees) August 12, 2016"

He also noted that he has a strong bond forged with North Carolina offensive coordinator and line coach Chris Kapilovic and Florida head coach Jim McElwain, among others.

Ruiz plans to make his commitment at the Under Armour All-America Game. With that date rapidly approaching, Ruiz isn’t worried about having enough time to make a decision.

“I want to be at a school where I know that I will feel comfortable at. When I take my visits, I will know if it’s the place for me or not,” Ruiz said. “I also want to play early. I don’t want to be one of those guys who has to wait until their junior year to play. I don’t have a problem learning, but I feel like I’m a guy who learns quick and who can get on the field early and produce and get the job done.”

Sanjay Kirpalani is a national recruiting analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani