One to Watch Interview: 2017 LB/RB Jimmy Ma’Aele Langford Planning on Breakout Season for Banning

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

As long as there has been competitive sports in the high school ranks, one story is told again and again and that is the unfortunate timing of an underclassman being stuck behind a stud upperclassman. The tale of Jimmy Ma’Aele-Langford begins this way but will not end that way.

Ma’Aele-Langford spent his junior season behind three-star Class of 2016 recruit Blake Walls (San Jose State). Walls was second on the Junipero Serra roster in tackles with 79 manning the outside linebacker position. Ma’Aele-Langford was not completely limited to watching from the sidelines able to make use of time on the field coming up with 56 tackles, 28 solo, two tackles for a loss, one interception, and one pass defended adding two starts to his junior season.

In the off-season, Ma’Aele-Langford transferred from Junipero Serra High School (Gardena, CA) to Banning High School (Wilmington, CA). With Banning, the 5’9”, 225 pound, rising star will get the opportunity to shine at both linebacker and running back setting up the potential for a breakout senior year taking the college ranks by storm.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Ma’Aele-Langford going over his junior season, off-season workouts, and expectations for his senior campaign.

Interview

Jimmy, you spent your junior year with Junipero Serra but transferred to Banning in the off-season, how has the transfer gone for you so far?

“It’s gone well. I started practicing with the team this summer. I like it. I like the coaches there.”

Which positions are you expecting to play with Banning?

“Linebacker and running back.”

Are you playing special teams as well?

“I played special teams with Serra, on almost every phase. I was our long snapper too.”

Are you on return teams too?

“Yes, as an up-back.”

Did you get any time in at running back last year?

“I played running back my freshman year. My sophomore year, when I went up to varsity, I switched to linebacker.”

You’ve played the past two seasons at linebacker and enter your senior year playing the position again. What are some of your strengths at linebacker?

“My reads are on point. I can stop the run; that is my strong suit. I need to improve my pass coverage.”

What have you been working on this off-season to prepare for your senior year?

“I’ve been focused more on preparing as a running back. I’ve worked a lot on my feet and explosiveness. I’ve been working on my quickness and off the ball skills along with my ball protection. Over the off-season I worked a lot on my route running. I’m a straight ahead kind of runner. I wanted to make myself more versatile for the season.”

Have you maxed out in any of the football lifts in the off-season like bench or squat?

“My bench is 315 and my squat is 415.”

When does Banning start fall camp?

“We start today (Monday, July 25). I think we get our gear today and hit the field in shorts and T-shirts.”

Are you expecting to start at linebacker?

“Yes. I will be starting at outside linebacker this year.”

What about at running back?

“I don’t know. I’m expecting a battle during camp to earn playing time at running back.”

Having worked out with the team this summer, how does the team look heading into fall camp?

“Our team is looking pretty good. The defense is looking really strong. Our offense is coming along. I think we will do well this year.”

Are there any games on the schedule you are hyped to play this year?

“There are a couple of games. I’m looking forward to playing Narbonne. At Serra, Narbonne is a rival. I’m looking forward to playing San Pedro (Oct. 21) at the Coliseum (USC Trojans home field).”

How did everything end up in the classroom for you at the end of your junior year?

“I had a 3.4 GPA last year.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“No. I’m taking my first test in September.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“My favorite subject is history. It used to be math but not anymore.”

Jimmy, thanks for your time today and good luck with fall camp.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: digitalsports.com; Junipero Serra takes the field.

Photo credit: Ian Tennant via MaxPreps; No. 22 Jimmy Ma’Aele-Langford on the field with Serra (2015).