Interview: 2017 Louisiana QB Justice McCoy Talks Colorado State Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
An unlikely recruiting path from Louisiana to Colorado was publically forged on Dec. 18 when St. Augustine High School’s Class of 2017 quarterback Justice McCoy announced his commitment to Colorado State. The Rams are pulling an extremely talented dual-threat who could compete for a starting job as a true freshman.
McCoy has been shaking it up for the Purple Knights coming into his own over the past two seasons. A tell-tale sign of McCoy’s overall impact, St. Augustine was 2-9 in 2015 but finished the 2016 schedule with a winning record. At the end of his junior campaign, McCoy had 2,170 passing yards with 17 touchdowns and rushed for 311 yards with four more scores. Not having to carry the full load, McCoy’s stats evened out although his rushing totals improved passing for 1,543 yards with 11 touchdowns and ran for 634 additional yards finding the end zone 15 more times.
Offers have come in from all around the country for the 6-1, 185 pound, talent. West Virginia, Tulane, SMU, Georgia State, Memphis, Texas-San Antonio, Jackson State, Kent State, Arkansas State, and Texas State all put an offer on the table. Florida Atlantic secured a commitment from McCoy on July 18. The Rams’ coach staff was not detoured from his verbal to the Owls taking multiple opportunities to visit with him showing just how badly they wanted him on their roster next season.
The underlying compliment to McCoy heading to Colorado State is the faith that head coach Mike Bobo is putting into his newest quarterback recruit. Bobo knows a good quarterback as well as any other coach in the country. Before taking the Rams to back-to-back bowl games, Bobo was the offensive coordinator at Georgia serving on the Bulldogs staff for 14 years. Before leaving Athens, Bobo helped Aaron Murray to four consecutive 3,000 yard passing seasons while molding talents like Matthew Stafford, Knowshon Moreno, Todd Gurley, and A.J. Green, just to name a few.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with McCoy going over his senior schedule while getting insight on his commitment to Colorado State.
Interview
Justice, first, congratulations on your commitment to CSU.
“Thank you.”
Before we delve into that, how did your senior season go overall?
“I felt like I started off slow at the beginning but as the year went I progressed. I finished out with a great senior season.”
What all did you improve upon this year?
“My running was one thing. My run reads got better because our new offensive coordinator wanted me to run more. With passing, I’d say I improved upon pre-snap reads and my progressions got better.”
What are you going to work on in the off-season?
“This off-season I will work on getting my timing down with receivers, my footwork, and I want to get a little bit faster.”
Have you taken any official visits yet?
“I have not taken any official visits yet. I took some unofficial visits as a junior to CSU, SMU, West Virginia, and FAU.”
When do you take your official to Colorado State?
“I’m still talking to the coaches about setting up those dates.”
So, the big question, what influenced you to commit CSU?
“My great relationship with Coach (Mike) Boob (head coach), Coach (Ronnie) Letson (quarterbacks coach), and Coach (Bryan) Applewhite (running backs coach).”
What kind of relationship have you built with the Rams’ staff?
“With Coach Bobo, we were on the phone multiple times a week, same with Coach Letson. I met with Coach Applewhite many times my junior year and three times my senior year.”
How did the commitment take place?
“I texted Coach Bobo one day asking for a phone call. He said sure. The first thing I said to him when I got on the phone was I wanted to commit.”
Your announcement came out on Sunday, Dec. 18. When did you actually commit?
“I committed on Friday, Dec. 16. I did not make it public until two days later.”
What was Coach Bobo’s reaction when you committed?
“His first reaction, he said, “He was very excited, cannot wait to coach me, and cannot wait to go over film with me”.”
How did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed?
“I was excited and kind of nervous. I was picking the college that I will be going to for the next four years. I was nervous, excited, and a little bit of relief.”
How will the CSU coaches use you in their offense?
“They will use me like any regular quarterback. They told me things like I have a good chance to start as a true freshman if I come in and compete for the job.”
What type of offense does CSU run?
“They mix it up with a pro-style, spread, and some option.”
Did any of the schools that have offered you or were showing recruiting interest in you reach out after you committed to CSU?
“One school wanted to know if I would still take a visit, the rest were telling me congrats.”
Are you still taking other official visits?
“If CSU tells me that they do not want me to take other visits, I won’t take other official visits.”
I know you are a big baseball player, are you still going to play baseball this spring?
“Yes, sir.”
Which positions do you play?
“Shortstop and catcher.”
How are you at the plate?
“I led district in batting average last year hitting .450.”
Justice, again, congrats on your commitment and good luck with your upcoming visit to Fort Collins.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credits: theadvocate.com; No. 2 Justice McCoy
Photo credit: nola.com; No. 2 Justice McCoy