Interview: 4,000 Yard Passing Season for 2018 QB Jeremy Moussa Attracting Power 5 Interest

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Passing Downs Photo credit: Raymond Joyce Photography

Twitter: @RJPSports

If Bull Durham’s fictional power pitcher Ebby Calvin “Nuke” LaLoosh taught fans anything, it was ‘announce your presence with authority.’ When the 2016 football season kicked off, that is exactly what Jeremy Moussa did not only for his spot on the recruiting trail but along the way to helping Eleanor Roosevelt High School to a 10-3 season. 4,000 passing yards later, Moussa is a hit among college scouts drawing in national recruiting interest from across the country.

The Bull Durham pop cultural movie reference, albeit way before Moussa was born, holds true for the Corona area gunslinger. After completing 12-of-19 passes for 186 yards with two touchdowns and two picks in mop up duty as a sophomore, he showed no fear on the gridiron during his first season as a varsity starter in 2016. The junior hit 61 percent of his passes connecting on 261-of-424 passes covering 4,008 yards with 56 touchdowns. If that was not impressive enough, through all the pass attempts and points posted on the scoreboard he only had five interceptions. Worth noting, he also had five rushing touchdowns.

Four offers have rolled in for the 6-3, 200 pound, architect of the Mustangs spread offense. Hawaii, San Jose State, UC Davis, and Nevada see him as a quarterback of the future in their program. In addition, the spring evaluation period has brought recruiting attention to the Corona area product getting up close and personal looks from Georgia, Boise State, Colorado State, and BYU; just to name a few. The college camp circuit will prove to be important for Moussa along with his consistency on the field during his senior campaign. Another year of showing out against California competition should make Moussa one of the more widely coveted under the radar recruiting targets in the pocket in the 2018 class.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Moussa to talk about his breakout performance, his off-season workouts, and his booming recruiting interest.

Interview

Jeremy, you truly had a breakout year during your junior season. Heading into the 2016 schedule did you expect to pass for 4,000 yards with 56 touchdowns?

“No. I was not expecting that at all. My goals were about 30 touchdowns and 3,000 yards passing. Last year was my first year starting. I just wanted to get team back to winning. I was shocked to put up numbers like that.”

What type of offense does Roosevelt run?

“We run an Air Raid-West Coast style of offense. We have a new OC on the team for next year. We are doing things from last year but have added some new wrinkles.”

What are some of your favorite pass patterns to connect on within the offense?

“I love throwing the fade. That is my favorite. If you throw it correctly no one can cover it.”

Getting your first full season of varsity experience under your belt, how did your game grow last season?

“Every week I was becoming more comfortable with the offense. Our team was not ready in Week 1, myself included. We became more confident as the season went along. Wins helped build that confidence. Once we started rolling no one could stop us.”

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

“This off-season – most of the colleges want to see if I can move better. I’m working on speed and footwork outside of the pocket. I want to show them I can improvise with my feet if I need to.”

Are you working with a private QB coach?

“Yes. I am working with Steve Calhoun and my high school QB coach almost every day.”

Are you playing 7v7 ball?

“Yes.”

With which team?

“E.A.T.”

How is 7v7 action helping your game?

“Last season 7v7 was instrumental for me. That helped me get comfortable with the speed of the game. This year 7v7 was about staying polished. I already knew what I could do. This off-season was down to executing consistently.”

How have spring practices with Roosevelt gone so far?

“They have been going really well. This is our last week of spring ball. We are wrapping things up. Tons of colleges have been coming through to watch us practice. We have six or seven D-I guys on the team.”

You mentioned this a minute ago, will the offense change for you at all in 2017 based off spring practices?

“A lot more will be put into my hands. I will be making calls at the line and audibles for where we want to run the ball and which pass plays we want to execute. For the most part, we are keeping the same identity. We are going pedal to the metal all the time.”

How does the team look for the 2017 season from spring practices?

“We are looking great on offense. We are looking like a force to be reckoned with out there. We four D-I receivers and a really good running back. We will do some damage this year.”

You also mentioned this a minute ago, which schools have come by to see you throw in practice this spring?

“To see me throw, Wyoming, Georgia, BYU, UC Davis, San Jose State, Hawaii, Cal, Fresno State, Boise State and Colorado State.”

What other schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“Right now, Boise State is showing a lot of interest. I am going to their camp on June 3 (Occidental College).”

Have you taken any unofficial visits this spring?

“During spring break, I went to Nevada to check it out. It was a great visit. I’m trying to get up to San Jose State and maybe UC Davis this summer. Maybe Boise State if they pull the trigger. I am visiting Hawaii this summer too.”

Do you have plans to attend any other college camps besides Boise State?

“I am going to a USC camp on June 11. There will be 20-something schools that will be there. That will be a great chance to get noticed by college coaches.”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“I have a 4.3 GPA.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I took the SAT. I scored an 1160.”

Which degree do you want to pursue in college?

“Kinesiology or sports medicine.”

Last question. What do you love about playing football?

“For me, I just love going out there and throwing the ball. I love tossing the ball with my receivers. I love practice, working with them, and bonding with them. Football is a really fun thing for me. I love working with my offensive linemen too. I couldn’t do it without them.”

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

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: PMXPhotography.com; No. 8 Jeremy Moussa in action (2016).

Photo credit: E.A.T.; Jeremy Moussa at a 7v7 tournament.