A modern gunslinger arises under center in Oklahoma

Exclusive interview with Scotty Gilkey Jr.

 

Some guys are graced with God given ability, some work diligently on their own to develop their talents to become exceptional, and others just happened to be blessed with having a great support staff to help guide and nurture athletic gifts into dominating play on the field. When talking about Broken Arrow High School quarterback Scotty Gilkey Jr. all elements are in play.

All too soon comparisons are easy to drop but the point helps paint a picture. If San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers had wheels he would be the high school version of Scotty Gilkey Jr.

Gilkey is just as likely to drop a 40 yard touch pass hitting his receiver in stride as he is to throw a dart on a 15 yard out pattern from the far hash across the field. Unlike many high school quarterbacks coming up through the ranks, Gilkey can take snaps directly under center or from the shotgun making him a versatile prospect for all college coaches across the nation.

The other weapon Gilkey has is the 6’5”, 210 pound, gunslinger can run. He may not get the old timers to bring up names like Steve Young or Michael Vick, or even today’s Robert Griffin III or Marcus Mariota, but he’s smart enough and fast enough to know when to tuck the ball and run to pick up the 5, 10, or 15 yards needed to move the chains against the top competition in the state of Oklahoma.

To fill out the complete package Gilkey possess when dropping back, he studies the game and understands defensive coverage as well as anyone at his level, and perhaps even better than many starting college quarterbacks. A quick survey of the field, the snap of the ball, and then ball is delivered to a receiver in a one-on-one situation. Should he have to check down in his progressions, Gilkey never seems to get happy feet or nervous in the pocket. He feels the pressure, moves out of harms way, and delivers another completion worthy of a highlight

In an interview, Scotty sat down to go over his high school career to date, recruiting interest, and getting regular advice and tips in the pocket from one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.

 

Scotty, Broken Arrow finished the season 7-4 with a tough loss in the opening round of the playoffs (22-19) to Mustang. Your season was somewhat limited as well. Can you breakdown the 2014 season?

“I got hurt in Week 3 so the coaches limited my playing time hoping I could recover quicker. I had a sports hernia. They held off on playing time. I started first three games, they tried saving me until the playoffs but I still played in some of the games during the season.

“I feel like we could have been a little bit better. We were young. We’ll be 10 times better next year. We have a new coach and he’s bringing in a whole new program.”

Are you having surgery to repair the injury?

“I’m having surgery coming up then I’ll be out about six weeks.”

How was the offense set up in 2014?

“We ran a lot of shotgun this past season. We passed a lot more in 2013 than this year. The new coaches came in and tried to establish the run more.”

How will the 2015 season shape up?

“We’ll be able to pass more. I work with the receivers every day. Wide receiver Brendon Franklin is going to have a great season next year. We have two good running backs returning with Jamall Shaw and Jordan Davis, and the majority of our O-line will be back.”

What are your strengths on the field at quarterback?

“I can do whatever needs to get it done. I’m capable of short passes, long passes, and I can run.”

What makes you a top quarterback in your recruiting class?

“Growing up I made sure I was well rounded, especially with my pocket awareness. Growing up I practiced reading coverages, I’ve been in the film room all my life. I made it a priority knowing what the defenses are doing every time I take the field. I also do a lot of footwork every day.”

Who taught you how to read coverages from an early age?

“My dad (Scott Gilkey) taught me. He played tight end at Eastern Illinois. Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys) was his quarterback in college.”

Has Tony Romo been an influence on the maturation of your prep career?

“Yes, he has. We go down to see Tony regularly. He gets film sessions in with me. When I got my offer from Eastern Illinois he congratulated me. He wants me to come down again so we can do drills and watch some film.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“I want to get my team the Gold Bar. We’ve never won a state championship. That’s what it’s about. That’s all what the next season is about.”

Do you have any personal stats that you hope to reach?

“If we come out with the W I’m happy. I don’t care about breaking records.”

What type of offseason workouts are you doing to prepare for the 2015 season?

“Throw, throw, throw – I lift, do footwork drills, and I’m getting my receivers ready. I wear them out. I get all those guys to come out and work with me.”

What schools are recruiting you right now?

“Oregon, Oregon State, Mississippi State, Alabama, Ole Miss, Tennessee, LSU, Louisiana-Monroe, Bowling Green are all showing pretty heavy interest. I’ve started talking to Central Arkansas – they’ve been contacting me a lot.”

Which schools have extended offers?

“Eastern Illinois, Louisiana-Monroe, and Louisville so far.”

What type of notes are you receiving from the different college recruiters?

“They like that I’m big in the pocket. They’re pretty much telling me they like what they see. They like the way I move in the pocket and that I’ve got a big arm. They want to know if they can stay in contact with me.”

Are any of the schools showing heavy interest telling you what they are looking for from you before making an offer?

“They’re not telling what they’re looking for other than they want to see more film. They say good things about the film I have so far.”

Do you have a favorite school yet?

“My mind is not set on any one school so I have no favorites. I’m looking for relationships with my potential coaches. Going to a big school is not necessarily the main goal.”

Is it fair to say that relationships with the coaching staff will be the biggest influence on your final decision of where to play your college ball?

“It’s all about relationships for me. Being far away from home is not a problem. All of these colleges have great facilities now.”

Are you going to any college camps this summer?

“I plan on going to Notre Dame, Texas for sure, Oklahoma State, and Oklahoma again. I’m going to try to get in as many as I can. I want to hit one out in the California area this year.”

Given your ties to Dallas’ starting quarterback, this might be a no-brainer kind of question, but is there a NFL player you model your game after?

“I watch Tom Brady and Peyton Manning to study how they throw and watch their release. I try to take a little bit from everybody. I like Cam Newton too. I pay attention to how the players handle themselves and how they talk.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career so far?

“My dad has had the biggest impact. He works with me all the time, he’s there everyday. I’m my biggest critic but if I need to know something he’s there to help. Growing up I got to throw to Tyler Lockett (Kansas State), my dad coached him at Booker T. Washington. So I grew up throwing to his players. I’ve always been in the film room seeing what other teams are doing. All that work has helped put me further ahead and it is all because of him.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I love everything about the game. It’s what I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid. I grew up on a football field watching my dad. Now I’m just trying to get to the next level.”

 

Be it Tony Romo, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Cam Newton, Phillip Rivers or even Scott Gilkey Sr., a little piece of experience and greatness is helping mold another great high school quarterback into becoming a great college quarterback.

Scotty has the size and arm to walk on the field and be great, but more importantly he has the desire and correct mental approach to the game that will help make him great, be it in high school or college. The big question now is which lucky college coach will get this Oklahoma gunslinger on his campus for three to four years?

Photo credit: coxhshub.com; Scotty Gilkey Jr. dropping back to pass.