Interview: Bishop Amat DT Aaron Maldonado Proving to be Top in his 2018 Recruiting Class

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Starting for any high school team at the top classifications of the bigger states in the country is always an accomplishment. Playing at a high level as a starter is an impressive feat. Starting as a sophomore for Bishop Amat, a Los Angeles area school, is pretty amazing but doing more than just holding your own against some of the best teams and players in the state is the foundation for laying groundwork as one of the best in the nation at a given position. All of the aforementioned is exactly what Aaron Maldonado has done during the 2015 season.

Maldonado is not the typical high school sophomore. He was gifted with size, speed, and strength and cultivated the desire to excel on the California gridiron on his own. The 6’3”, 295 pound, sophomore has entrenched himself as a starter for the La Puente area team at defensive tackle/nose guard plugging holes and eating up ball carriers along the way. Through six games he has 18 solo tackles, 10 assisted, three tackles for a loss, and three sacks helping the Lancers to a 7-2 record.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Aaron to find out how his sophomore campaign was personally going, got an update on Amat as a team heading into the playoffs, and received a recruiting update.

Interview

Aaron, did you play at the varsity level as a freshman?

“No, I was a two-way starter for the freshman team.”

How has the transition gone for you from freshman ball to stating at the varsity level against teams like Mater Dei and Servite?

“The maturation has been quick realizing how much I have to be ready for each game. I’m working hard on being a leader as the season goes on.”

Did you have an idea over the summer that you might be starting as a sophomore?

“I had an idea that I would start from working hard in the offseason.”

What all did you work on personally in the offseason to get ready for this season?

“I worked on the field and in the weight room. I worked on technique and my foot work. I did a lot of power lifting and agility training and stretching too.”

What is your bench press and squat max?

“My most recent bench press max was 315 and my squat was 425. My power-clean was 275.”

How do the Lancers look heading into the playoffs?

“Going into the playoffs we are real confident. When we play together we are unstoppable. We just have to remain humble and we’ll do well.”

What goals did you have set for yourself entering the season?

“One of my goals was to start as a sophomore. That was a big goal. I’m real happy with the fact that I’m a starter.”

Are you satisfied with play so far this season?

“Yeah, but I have to pick up my game even more to better myself and help out the team more.”

It is very early in your recruiting process but are schools already starting to show interest in you?

“Dixie State, Cantaloupe, and Whittier College are showing interest.”

Did you go to any college camps over the summer?

“I went to the USC camp. That went well. I got an MVP award and they invited me to another camp. I did well at the second camp too and they gave me a recruiting card. They’re following my season.”

Again, it’s really early in the process but do you have any plans at this point to attend college camps during the upcoming offseason?

“I’m planning on going to USC and UCLA and I’m shooting for Oregon. I’m interested in checking out Alabama too.”

Do you have a NFL player that you like to watch play the game picking up pointers about how to play your position?

“I don’t play as good as he does but I like JJ Watt (Houston Texans). I like how he gets after it. I look up to him a lot.”

I always like to know how players are doing in the classroom. Do you have a GPA you don’t mind sharing?

“My cumulative is 3.5.”

Do you have plans yet to take the ACT or SAT?

“I’m taking the ACT and SAT next fall.”

Do you have an idea of what you would like to major in when you go to college?

“Engineering.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“My favorite part about playing football is bonding with my teammates and being all business on the field. I like letting it all out and having fun on the field.”

Aaron, thank you for your time today and good luck in the playoffs.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Hudl.com; No. 77 Aaron Maldonado.

Photo credit: Maldonado family; No. 77 Aaron Maldonado.

Photo credit: Vince Quinones; Aaron Maldonado in action.