Interview: Adroit 2019 California ATH/RB Taron Madison Leading Banning with Physical Talents
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Watching Taron Madison with the pigskin in his hands is a thing of beauty, so much so that the coaches at Banning High School placed their budding star running back in the Wildcat position during the 2016 campaign riding his athletic talents throughout the season. The efforts Madison put forth on the field last season has captured the imagination of college coaches leading to two early offers and a slew of next level scouts waiting to see the evolution of his game during his junior season.
Madison took the reins of the Broncos offense passing for 801 yards with nine touchdowns but was perhaps a bigger playmaker with his legs averaging 7.4 yards per carry toting the rock 105 times for 780 yards with 11 trips to the end zone. On running plays, the 6-1, 193 pound, rising star proved to be a tough runner busting through first contact and arm tackles for additional yardage. In tight spaces, he has great bursts of speed and great field vision creating running lanes into opposing California defenses for long gains.
The word is getting out on Madison with early offers trickling in from Washington and Utah. The Pac-12 powerhouses may face fierce competition for Madison’s signed letter of intent when the time comes with squads like USC, Penn State, Ole Miss, Syracuse, Oregon State, Boise State, Arizona State, and Washington State, among others, showing varying levels of interest. With Madison splitting time between quarterback and his natural position at running back during the 2017 season, college coaches will get a better idea of what he can do running between the tackles and around end for an entire season leading to what should be an offer filled junior year.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Madison covering his sophomore season, off-season workouts, and recruiting process to date.
Interview
Taron, going into your sophomore season did you know you would have as big of a role on the team as you did?
“I didn’t. I did not have a starting position during camp. I was second string running back and quarterback.”
Did you play quarterback during your freshman season?
“Yes. That was the first time ever for me playing quarterback in my life.”
Once you got going during the season, did you start to feel comfortable in your role at quarterback?
“I was not comfortable playing quarterback at the beginning of the season. I was a running back. By the fifth or sixth game, I felt comfortable. Wanting to win forced me to get comfortable. I am used to it now.”
What were some of the technical parts of your game you worked to improve upon throughout the 2016 season?
“Going through concepts was the main thing. Footwork, knowing the speed of your receivers, and the type of passes to throw to each receiver were some of the main things. I worked on a lot of stuff throughout the year.”
How have spring practices gone for you and the Broncos?
“They’ve been great. We’ve been doing a lot of conditioning. We have a high-tempo offense. We started spring practices about a week and half ago. Everything is going well.”
What will your role be with the team during your junior season?
“Playing some quarterback. We have another quarterback now. We will switch off-and-on. When he is in at quarterback, I’ll play running back then.”
Are you excited about the change?
“Honestly, I am excited. I am very excited.”
Which parts of your game are you working on this off-season?
“The main thing I have always worked on is strength and footwork and becoming a better player on and off the field.”
Are you playing 7v7 ball?
“Yes.”
With your high school team or with another team?
“I’m playing 7v7 with my high school team.”
Have any college coaches come by Banning to watch you practice so far?
“We’ve had Washington and Utah come to our practices.”
Are there any other coaches expected to come by the school to watch you guys?
“I do not know.”
Have you attended any other exposure camps so far this spring?
“No.”
You have offers from Washington and Utah, which schools are showing recruiting interest in you but have not offered?
“UMass, Oregon, Ole Miss, Oregon State, Penn State, Boise State, Syracuse, UCLA, USC, Arizona State, Wyoming, and Washington State.”
Which position are college coaches recruiting you to play?
“Running back.”
Which schools have you visited so far?
“None yet. I am planning on going to Utah and Washington this summer.”
Are you excited about the opportunity to visit both Utah and Washington?
“I am. The coaches make me feel like family when I talk to them. I’ve looked up both schools. Both places are beautiful. With Utah and Washington, I want to meet everyone and see if I like it and it feels like home.”
Are you attending any college camps this summer?
“Yes. I’m attending two Redlands camps (satellite camps), a camp at Laverne (satellite), and a camp at Azusa Pacific (satellite).”
Do you play any other sports for Banning?
“I played basketball. Next year I will get back into track.”
What is your favorite subject in school?
“That’s a tough one. I’ll go with history.”
Last question. What do you love about playing football?
“My older brother got me into football. The environment I come from, people around here end up in gang violence and doing stuff they were not supposed to do. Football keeps me away from all of that.”
Taron, thanks for your time today and good luck at all the upcoming camps and with your visits.
“Thank you.”
Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com FREE!
If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!
Photo credit: The Press-Enterprise; No. 6 Taron Madison gets a stiff-arm for extra yards (2016).
Photo credit: scout.com; No. 6 Taron Madison runs around end (2016).
Photo credit: The Press-Enterprise; No. 6 Taron Madison finds a target downfield.