Arizona high school quarterback Sean Paul Brophy is back, bigger and better

The best kept secret in Arizona is back terrorizing opponents on the gridiron

 

Fans of Arizona high school football are all too familiar with the name and on the field abilities of Chaparral High School quarterback Sean Paul Brophy. The three-year starter had a minor injury set back in 2013 but still threw for 2,154 yards with 18 touchdowns in nine games leading his team to their second straight 5A-II Championship Game berth with Brophy under center and fourth overall.

What a difference a few months have made for Brophy. Playing at a listed 6’2”, 187 pounds, as a junior, the senior gunslinger is now 6’3”, 216 pounds, bigger and stronger than ever, and spreading the ball around the field with a deep ball touch not seen in previous seasons.

The Scottsdale, Arizona star is off to a great start in 2014 throwing for 567 yards with three scores in the air and three on the ground while playing with a younger squad around him.

Gone from last year’s team are Arizona Wildcats commitment tight end Trevor Wood, wide receiver/defensive back Tyler Whiley (Arizona State), wide receivers Izzy Simpson and Elijah Castro, linebacker Joe Nauert (Navy), and kicker John Baron II (San Diego State) leaving highly sought after offensive lineman Keenan Walker, linebacker Robbie Kleifield, and Brophy as the leaders of Firebirds in 2014.

In an exclusive one-on-one interview with Sean Paul Brophy sat down to discuss his senior season, his tough offseason workouts, and his recruiting process to date.

 

Sean, you had a great 2013 season but suffered an injury set back. What happened and how are you feeling now?

“I feel great. I was hurt in Week 4 during a nationally televised ESPN High School Game of the Week against Desert Mountain. We were down 28-0 but came back to win 35-28. I threw for over 300 yards with six touchdowns in the game, played the following week but had to shut it down for five weeks to get it ready for the playoffs.”

Brophy adds, “I came back before the playoffs. We won three games in the playoffs but lost in state championship to Salpointe Catholic (Tucson).”

With the added muscle and size how has your game changed on the field?

“In year’s past my game was about being accurate in intermediate passes. With the added weight and arm strength I’m able to push the ball down the field. I’ve had a couple of pass plays of over 50 yards in the air. I’m able to put it out there, pushing the ball down the field to create some plays.”

How do the Firebirds look so far this season?

“Each week the team is getting a lot better on offense. We return four starters and start seven sophomores, we’re very young, but we have a lot of talent.”

How has your role on the team changed this year compared to 2013?

“The main difference is I am the facilitator on offense. Last year we had Division-I and Division-II tight ends and receivers on the team. This year we start three sophomores and a junior at those positions. It is up to me to have a higher standard to be more accurate instead of just getting the ball to the guys so they can make the play I’m putting the ball where the receivers can make the plays.”

What are your strengths on the field?

“My leadership ability as a senior captain has set me apart. In the passing game my biggest attributes are recognizing coverage and defensive schemes. Our offense coordinator Rudy Carpenter (former ASU quarterback) has a complicated offense. Everything is based off the safety rotation. Each game we go onto the field with 150 to 200 plays and have two plays ready to go before we go up to the line of scrimmage before each snap. My job is to put my team in a good place and not turn the ball over.”

What are your goals for the 2014 football season?

“My goal is to win a state championship.”

Do you have any personal goals?

“I’d like to break some single season passing records. I came close to last year and got close during my sophomore year but my focus is winning a state championship.”

You have an offer from Weber State. Are any other programs recruiting you?

“Eastern Washington, Hawaii, San Jose State, Portland State, Montana, South Dakota State, and Arizona have all contacted me or sent me letters. Most of the schools want to see my highlight reel after three or four games this season to further evaluate me.”

What type of feedback have you received from these colleges?

“They have all given me a high evaluation. Because of the change in my body, I played at 190 pounds last year, and with a different style in play this year, the coaches want to see more film. Each school is excited when I talk to them. The coaches have told me I am on the Top 3 on their board.”

You completely changed your body over the offseason. What did you do to make the transformation?

“Throughout the offseason I just worked and worked. I spent a lot of time in the weight room and ate right. All the weight I have put on has been good weight not bad weight. My whole family is pretty big so I’m right in line with everyone else.

What else did you do?

“I did a lot of speed training and worked with Will Sullivan at Sullivan Performance. He helped out a lot. I got to lift at his gym as well. He works with a lot of NFL guys like Darrelle Revis, Devin McCourty, and Logan Ryan (and Anquan Bolden, Beanie Wells, Brian Dawkins, Brandon Marshall, Early Doucet, Martellus Bennett, LeGarrette Blount, Mewelde Moore, Todd Heap, Ryan Fitzpatrick and countless other top NFL players).”

When the time comes to make a decision about what school you will commit to, what are some of the main factors you will consider in choosing a college?

“The style of offense the team runs and my relationship with coaches. I want to go to a school where I can enjoy myself for the next four to five years. Proximity to home does not matter. I also do not care if the school takes multiple quarterbacks in my recruiting class. A one or two quarterback class does not matter to me because there will always be competition and always be next year’s group coming in trying to compete to get on the field.”

Do you have a NFL or college player you model your game after?

“I don’t model my game after anyone. The player that has had the most influence on me is our offensive coordinator Rudy Carpenter. He’s done a lot of things for me to help me as a player and he’s achieved a lot of the things I’d like to achieve some day. He helps push me to achieve my goals every day on and off the field.”

What is your most memorable moment in high school football thus far?

“My sophomore year I came off the bench against Notre Dame. We were down 27-12 and I led a fourth quarter 29-27 comeback win. I was 10 of 14 for 156 yards with one touchdown and a 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter. I had started the week before but the coaches went with another quarterback to start the game. It was a huge home game. If we didn’t win we weren’t going to the playoffs.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“My favorite part about playing football is being provided the opportunity to go out and compete. Win, lose, or draw we get to go out there and play your asses off all game long. If you mess up you get another chance on the next play. I play like each play could be my last. I try to leave it all out there on the field.”