4-Star DB KJ Jarrell Readies to Lead Saguaro to another Arizona State Championship

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Within the state of Arizona, if you want to win a high school football championship you have to go through Saguaro High School first. That action is easier said than done. The Sabercats year in and year out are stacked with talent going 14-0 in 2014 and 12-2 in 2015 proving to be the best in state time and time again.

When the 2016 class finished signing their national letters of intent, quarterback Karé Lyles was off to Wisconsin, offensive lineman Michael Weinstein went to San Diego, wide receiver Julian Carter headed to Boise State, and wide receiver/defensive back Byron Murphy signed with Washington. The 2017 class pitched in for the championship with Kayden Lyles tearing it up on the offensive line along with Corey Stephens, 2,000-yard running back Stone Matthews, tight end Jared Poplawski, and linebackers Brandt Casey and Carson Nugent. Kayden Lyles has transferred schools heading to Middleton in Wisconsin but one 4-star recruit returns in two-way star Kaelib “K.J.” Jarrell.

Jarrell was all over the field for the Sabercats last season pulling in 13 passes for 192 yards with two touchdowns and showed out on defense playing safety coming up with 56 tackles, 20 solo, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 10 games played. By the time Saguaro sealed the deal on a second consecutive AIA State Football Championship beating Marcos de Niza 38-20, the 6’3”, 185 pound, rising star was already considered a prize recruit by next level recruiters. Offers have poured in from teams like Arizona, Cal, Colorado, Wisconsin, Utah, Washington, UCLA, Oregon State, Nebraska, and Arizona State.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Jarrell going over his junior campaign, his offseason workouts, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

KJ, you excelled at safety last year on a championship winning team. What are some of the things you do well as a defensive back?

“My covering ability. I can cover slots and the other team’s No. 1 wide receiver. I am able to come down hill and make tackles in the box.”

What about at wide receiver?

“My route running. I have gotten smarter on how to get open and how to bait the corner. I know what they are looking for playing defense and I am able to exploit that.”

What are your goals for the 2016 football season?

“My goals are to get better every game, come out on top with my team again, and for my stats to be twice as good as last year’s.”

How will your role change this year compared to 2015?

“I will play a bigger role but I’m not sure what kind of role. I have to talk to my coach about that. I know I will have to do more to bring home another trophy for the team.”

What was your best game last season, against who, and why do you consider that your best game?

“My best game was against Apollo (playoffs – won 37-17). I was out a couple of games and came back with a different mindset wanting to set a standard for my team and myself through the playoffs.”

What honors did you earn at the end of your junior season?

“I was All-City as a defensive back.”

What are you working on in the offseason to prepare for another title run in 2016?

“I’m working on all aspects of the game. I’m working on getting faster, bigger, and stronger. I’m working on my footwork – everything that involves the game of football I am working on with my trainer and coaches at school.”

Have you posted a 40-yard dash time this offseason?

“No. The last time I ran a 40 was before last season and I ran a 4.5 then.”

Are you going to any exposure camps this offseason?

“I’m planning on going to the Nike Opening regional in Los Angeles.”

Are you going to any college camps?

“I have not decided yet. I will visit some colleges. I need to take a look at the schools that have offered me. I have only been to ASU (Arizona State), Arizona, and UCLA so far.”

Do you have any visit upcoming on the schedule?

“I am still undecided with that.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I have 14 offers.”

Of the schools that have offered, which ones are pushing a little bit harder than the others for your verbal commitment?

“They’re all the same to be honest, some a little more than others. The seven that are pushing more than the others, talking to me daily, are ASU, UCLA for sure, UA (Arizona), Colorado, Mississippi State, and Hawaii.”

Are there any schools that are in regular contact with you like they might offer but have not done so yet?

“I really don’t know. My coach (Jason Mohns) talks to all the coaches for me. He lets me know when and who to talk to. Some coaches DM (direct message) me. A lot of coaches are coming out for spring ball to watch us practice. I could get more offers then.”

When you took visits to UA, ASU, and UCLA, was there anything about the next level that caught your eye from the standpoint of the game or the academics?

“Not really. Basically football is your life at the college level. Football is my life now. I jog 30 minutes every day to school. The visits, it was what was expected. Nothing surprised me.”

How did your visit to UCLA go?

“It went well. I really liked the coaches. I really liked the location of the campus in Westwood. They were very welcoming. I talked to the football players on the team about everything. They had nothing but good things to say about the staff, school, and program. I really liked it was nice.”

How did your visit to ASU go?

“I just went there for their Junior Day. Both of my parents went to ASU, so I got to see their hometown school. One of my friends went with me too. I got to see all the cool stuff going on with that program. It was nice, it was a good visit.”

Do you have a timeframe in mind when you would like to commit to a school?

“No, not at all.”

What are the main factors you will consider in choosing a college?

“Definitely the location. I want to go somewhere that is not rural. I want to do things outside of football. I want a good relationship with my coach. I just want some place I will feel comfortable living there for three or four years.”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“I have a 3.1 GPA.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“Not yet. I took the ACT practice test and I have taken classes to help prepare for it.”

Have you thought about what you want to major in once in college?

“Not yet, but my main idea is business economics.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“The individuality about it. It is a team sport, but on the field it all depends how well you do your job. That’s what makes it fun. Other people are trying to make sure you are not doing your job.”

K.J., thanks for your time today and good luck with spring practices.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: scout.com; K.J. Jarrell.

Photo credit: azcentral.com; KJ Jarrell kisses the championship trophy.