Interview: 2019 California 4-Star QB Hank Bachmeier Updates Off-Season and Recruiting Visits

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Photo credits: Raymond Joyce

Twitter: @RJPSports

After back-to-back seasons ripping through opposing California defenses, Class of 2019 quarterback Hank Bachmeier is emerging as one of the top quarterbacks not only in the talent rich Golden State but in the nation. The big production on the field for the Murrieta Valley High School star has turned into a recruiting story worth following on the recruiting trail.

Bachmeier firmly asserted himself as a rising prospect during his freshman season helping the Nighthawks to a 9-3 record in 2015 slinging the ball around the yard for 2,854 yards with 36 touchdowns against eight interceptions. As Bachmeier’s skill level increased so did the W’s in the win column. Bachmeier threw for 3,862 yards with 46 touchdowns in 2016 limiting his interceptions to just three. Lowering his turnovers was not the only marked improvement seen. Bachmeier raised his completion percentage from 67 to 75 connecting on 234-of-311 pass attempts guiding his squad to an 11-3 season that included a run to the state title game.

The 6-2, 200 pound, gunslinger has colleges interested, not just in his arm and headiness on the field but also because of his mobility and ability to move the chains with his feet. Bachmeier rushed for 215 yards with three scores during his freshman season at the varsity level but took it up a couple of notches tacking on 679 all-purpose yards off 78 carries with eight more scores posted. Offers have come in from Colorado, UCLA, and Fresno State with teams like Tennessee, Washington, Texas A&M, Washington State, and Ohio State, among others, all showing varying levels of interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru one-on-one catch-up interview, I sat down with Bachmeier covering his off-season workouts and rapidly growing recruitment.

Interview

Hank, how are your off-season workouts going so far?

“They are going pretty well right now. I’m working on my mechanics a little bit. My team has been practicing once a week. We are getting back into that groove. When we practice once a week until May that is our spring football. We will figure out our team this spring for the 2017 season.”

Last time we spoke you said you wanted to focus on the mental side of the game, your mobility, and hips, how is that coming along this spring?

“I’m getting better physically and with my mobility. I feel like I have more mobility. I am stronger functionally too. My functional strength has gotten better. I have been watching a lot of film. The 7v7 stuff has helped out with understanding and reading coverages better.”

That’s a lot. Are you working on anything else?

“Pretty much just the mental stuff and my conditioning. I want to be in the best shape I can be for the season.”

Are you working with a quarterback coach?

“I work with my coach at school, Pete Duffy.”

Have you gone to any exposure camps so far this spring?

“This spring I went to Under Armour All-American camp and the LA Nike Opening Regional. I’m going to a Rivals camp next week.”

How have the camps gone for you?

“They have gone pretty well. I’m just competing against great talent and throwing to great talent. The guys you are going against are great in the secondary as well. When you do well it is humbling. It is great to compete against the best of the best.”

Do you have any other upcoming camps scheduled?

“No.”

What about 7v7 tournaments?

“I have played in one tournament this off-season, in Fontana at the Passing Downs. I played with Premium. That tournament is the only one I’m going to do.”

You have added another offer to your list. Which teams have offered you?

“UCLA – I talk to them a lot, Colorado – I talk to them a lot as well, they were my first offer, and Fresno State is my latest offer.”

Which schools are showing interest in you but have not offered?

“I talked to Tennessee Sunday morning, Washington, Cal, Washington State, Texas A&M, Penn State, South Carolina, Florida State, and Ohio State are all talking to me.”

You mentioned a couple of Pac-12 schools, what about the rest of them? Any other interest there?

“I have not heard from some Pac-12 schools like the Oregon schools. I have not talked to USC either. Arizona State has talked to me some as well.”

Last year you took unofficial visits to Notre Dame and Arizona, which schools have you visited so far this spring?

“I recently took a visit to Fresno State. My grandma lives 15 minutes away from the campus. One of my linemen from a couple of years ago plays there. I got to meet with Coach (Jeff) Tedford (head coach) and their offensive coordinator, Coach (Kalen) Deboer. I got a great feeling from them. I think they will do great things there. I have a lot of interest in them. There is a lot of sentimental value for me there. My family is from there. Fresno State is close to home. Coach Tedford coached Aaron Rodgers too. Fresno has great track record with quarterbacks as well.”

What all did Coach Tedford talk about with you while you were there?

“With Coach Tedford it was more of a sit down. He said he was excited about me. We did not talk about my fit in their system. Coach Deboer and I talked for about 1.5 hours. We talked a long time. He was a cool guy and down to earth. He talked about my family for a good half hour. We did not talk football for a while. Most guys get to the nitty gritty. When we did talk football, he said it is open there. Their offensive system is a spread with some RPO (read pass option) and they line up in multiple formations. Coach Deboer thinks I would run their offense well.”

Do you have any planned visits coming up?

“Yes. We are looking at going to Alabama, South Carolina, and Clemson. I think we will go to the Midwest to Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Notre Dame. Maybe Ole Miss and Washington as well. I want to do a SEC and Midwest trip. I also want to visit Cal and Colorado. If I visit Cal I will go to Stanford as well.”

Do you know which college camps you may attend this summer?

“I have not decided which camps I will attend yet. When you talk to the college coaches, they all invite you to their camps. I will go with my coach and we’ll figure it out. We’ll plan it out based on logistics and interest. For sure I’ll hit some SEC, Midwest, ACC, and Pac-12 schools.”

Hank, thanks for your time today and good luck with all of the upcoming visits and camps.

“Thank you.”

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