Interview: Arkansas 2018 OL Jake Hardage is a One-Man Gang for Pocahontas

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

At the end of the day results on the field and wins in the column are the main reasons coaches coach, players play, and fans watch the beloved game of football. At Pocahontas High School the coaches and players are getting it done on the field to the delight of the fans with a very large part of the success attributed to Class of 2018 offensive lineman Jake Hardage.

The nickname “Big Country” is well used so it might be best to call Hardage “Big County” going forward. The 6-6, 326 pound, prized Class of 2018 talent out of Randolph County has the eye of the town of Pocahontas after helping the Redskins to an 8-3 finish during the 2016 campaign. The roughly 6,500 people in the city of Pocahontas watched Hardage trap and pull with the best of them mauling opposing Arkansas 4A talent game after game.

Hardage is more than just a big guy. He is also a weight room warrior with a 330 pound max on bench press, 515 on squat, 275 on clean, and a deadlift at 565. Watching Hardage apply his growing craft, one can quickly see he enjoys moving defenders out of the way for his running backs and keeping hopeful defenders off of his quarterback. As a team, Pocahontas rushed for over 2,100 yards with 36 trips to the end zone with Class of 2017 tailback Barkley Sorg leading the way with 1,091 yards and 16 scores. The passing game was effective when used with senior quarterback Haston Orewiler averaging 17 yards per receptions on 83-of-138 pass attempts for 1,431 yards and 18 touchdowns tossed.

College coaches know Hardage is an asset in the run game but they want to see more of Big County in pass set looking for his kick slide, punch, and bend at the knees against opposition on his level. A big offer has come in from Mississippi State with more to come if Hardage takes advantage of the college camp circuit during the summer.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the rising stars in the Natural State to find out more about his play on the field, off-season goals, and recruiting process to date.

Interview

Jake, when did you get your first taste of varsity football?

“I got moved up my ninth grade year. I was moved up for the last regular season game and first two playoff games. I started the first game I was moved up. I was a partial starter in the second game. We rotated in and out.”

What was your size then?

“I was probably at 6-3, 280 pounds.”

So you’ve always been a big guy?

“Yes, sir.”

What type of offense does Pocahontas run?

“We run a little bit of everything, but more towards the spread. We do a lot of power running but like to run off the edge, sweeps, and a lot of option plays.”

You guys do a lot of trapping and pulling, do you like getting out to come down on a linebacker, end, or tackle in space?

“Yeah, that is one of my favorite things. I like kicking out the end. I like hitting linebackers, especially when they are not paying attention to me.”

The Redskins ran collectively for over 2,100 yards with 36 touchdowns last season. How did your run blocking improve during your junior season?

“I think my overall game improved a lot. I broke my foot in the fourth game of the season. That set me back some. I had to ease back into it. I had to really pay attention to my footwork and my aiming points on blocks. I had to dial it down some. I had to get better mechanically.”

How many pancake blocks did you get last season?

“I think I had around 62 all-together”

I know you did not get as many opportunities to show what you can do on passing downs last season with a total of 197 pass attempts made on the team. So, with that in mind, what are the strengths of your pass set?

“I think I am better when they try to go inside. I am better at the inside moves. My weakness is the speedy pass rush defensive ends. I am working on that right now. I think I am pretty good setting the front of the pocket making sure it does not collapse from the inside.”

Did you earn any individual honors at the end of your junior season?

“All-Conference. I was All-State my sophomore year.”

What are you working on overall with you skillset this off-season?

“One of my main focuses is getting faster. That will help my run and pass blocking. I’m working on my quickness. I want to move around with those little defensive ends.”

Are you staying at left guard during your senior year or are you moving to another spot?

“Yeah, I will stay there. Most colleges are looking at me at guard. I will play nose tackle this year as well.”

Are you excited about playing nose guard this year?

“Yeah, I am. That was one of my main positions in junior high. When I was moved up I played blocking tight end and nose guard. Defense is always fun. Offense is my main focus but I am ready to play some defense.”

What off-season camps have you attended so far?

“I have not been to any camps so far this year. I am going to the Rivals Three Stripe camp in St. Louis coming up.”

Do you have any planned visits or possible camps you might attend coming up?

“Yes, sir. I plan on going to Mississippi State, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Auburn, and hopefully Alabama.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“I have talked to Louisville’s offensive line coach some, Coach (Mike) Summers. I have received interest from Texas State, Arkansas, Auburn, Louisiana Tech, and Memphis. Alabama – I visited with them last August. They said to make sure I get to a camp this summer. Ole Miss messages me on Twitter. I went to an Auburn camp last year. They asked me to come back for this summer.”

Have any of the schools showing interest told you what they are looking for from you before possibly receiving an offer?

“Memphis wants to see my spring practice. We’ll see how that goes. Mississippi State wants to come watch my spring practice. Alabama – they want to watch me and see how I progress. Arkansas wants to make sure I make it back to their camp this summer.”

You’ve made some visits to schools for camps. Which schools have you visited for camps and/or for games or Junior Day events?

“I have visited Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, Mississippi State – for a Junior Day and two game dates, and SEMO (Southeast Missouri) for a Junior Day.”

What offers do you hold?

“I have one from Southeast Missouri and Mississippi State.”

When do you plan on visiting Mississippi State again?

“In April for their spring game.”

You’ve been down there a few times now. Is there anything different you want to learn or see with this upcoming trip?

“I want to watch the coaches in action. The spring game is a game situation practice. I want to see how they coach close up. I want to go around the town and see everything too. The last couple of times I visited I did not go around the town. I went straight to the school and stayed on campus. I want to learn about the town now.”

Wise decision. Jake, what is your cumulative GPA?

“4.0.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I took the ACT but I do not have the score back yet.”

What do you want to major in once in college?

“I will most likely major in agricultural engineering.”

Last question. What do you love about playing football?

“I like football. It is a fun sport. Hitting people releases stress. I like football because it teaches you about life. You learn how to work hard, how to be a man, and how to take care of teammates and friends. It makes friendships that last a lifetime even when football stops.”

Jake, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming camps and visits.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 56 Jake Hardage blowing open a hole (2016).

Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 56 Jake Hardage takes out two defenders (2016).

Photo credit: Hardage family; Jake Hardage at Mississippi State.