Interview: Best Kept 2018 California QB Secret Matthew Tago Receiving Offers as D-I Linebacker

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Feature Photo Credit: Raymond Joyce Photography

Twitter: @RJPSports

At the high school level, due to number of players on a given roster and/or total talent available, great athletes often play on both sides of the ball to help ensure victories. Ironman football is nothing new but rarely does a player pick apart a defense playing quarterback and then flip on the other side of the ball stopping the opposition as an outside linebacker. Meet the gridiron paradox that is Matthew Tago.

If Matthew Tago is not the best all-around athlete on his team, and perhaps in the Golden League, who am I overlooking? Tago is the ideal size for any number of positions and has the athleticism to field those positions at 6-4, 228 pounds. He could be a receiver, a tight end, an H-back, a weakside defensive end, or man any linebacker position required. The thing is, he is an outstanding quarterback with a big arm who can throw with touch or on a rope. He does not look to run first, even though the Rebels run designed plays to get the ball into his hands, he instead shows his mobility in the pocket looking downfield to deliver the ball to one of his player makers on the outside.

On defense, Tago looks to have the wingspan of a seven-foot NBA center wrapping up anything that comes his way. He can rush off the edge, stop the run, run a play down going the other way, and drop back into coverage.

Tago earned first team All-Golden League and All-CIF honors after passing for 1,728 yards with 14 scores while running for 476 yards with 10 more touchdowns posted. He even caught one pass for 26 yards. On defense, he put an end to 45 plays with 10 tackles for a loss, three sacks, five quarterback hurries, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. The playmaking abilities on offense was not so surprising after passing for 1,455 yards with 16 touchdowns in eight games as a sophomore. Tago did not play linebacker in 2015.

What to do with Tago at the next level? If college coaches have their way, Tago is the next All-Conference Pac-12 or Mountain West linebacker waiting to be signed in the 2018 class. To date, 13 schools have offered including Boise State, Colorado, San Jose State, Colorado State, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon State, Washington State, Utah State, New Mexico, Utah, and BYU with his most recent offer coming from USC after showing out at one of their elite camps.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with one of the more interesting Class of 2018 recruits in the nation covering his junior year, recruiting process, and off-season workouts.

Interview

Matthew, you had a solid sophomore season in the pocket but then had a big breakout season on both sides of the ball during your junior year. What was the big difference for you on offense between your sophomore and junior seasons?

“My sophomore year during the first game, I actually got hurt shoulder. I sat out two games. I was not as physical on the field as a quarterback last season. I got bigger during the off-season and gained more confidence running the ball. Getting more physical and being in the weight room really helped out.”

Nice transition into my next question, one of the added dimensions to your game was running the ball. Do you like running designed quarterback plays?

“Yes, I love that. I’m the kind of runner that will hit the hole hard. I’m not a juker. I will run you over. I am not scared to get hit. That is what I will do on both sides of the ball.”

How did your game improve this off-season as a passer?

“I spent time learning more of the coverages. I worked a lot on coming to the line making audibles, looking at the defense, reading defenses, and making the right reads. I throw a medicine ball for arm strength and do footwork drills to help my mechanics.”

The Rebels had a great season going 10-4 with a run to the title game going against Valley View. How has the Valley View game (33-32 loss) motivated you and the rest of your team this off-season?

“It motivated us a lot. A week after the game everyone was in the weight room working hard. That game made us hungrier. We had no break and went right to it.”

Will you play outside linebacker again during your senior year?

“Yes, I will.”

What have you been working on with your defense this off-season?

“My footwork. When I play linebacker, I have to drop back into zone coverage. Playing quarterback helps me on defense. Knowing the keys to read off the offense helps me. Knowing the routes receivers run helps me.”

Did any college scouts come by Quartz Hill this spring to see you in action?

“Yes. Washington State, Boise State, Utah State, and Azusa Pacific came by our school.”

You have 13 offers, which position are most schools recruiting you to play?

“Linebacker.”

Which position do you like best?

“I like playing linebacker. It does not matter to me where I play. I will compete wherever the coaches put me.”

When college coaches talk to you about your game on either side of the ball, what are they telling you they like?

“They like my length, my long arms and legs, my physicality, and my football IQ.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits during this off-season?

“No.”

Do you have any planned visits coming up?

“No.”

Do you have any official visits set yet?

“No.”

Are you attending any college camps this summer?

“I went to a Colorado camp at Redlands, an Azusa Pacific camp with Boise State, I just went to an Oregon camp on Sunday, and a USC camp on Saturday. I have UCLA on Friday. That is my last one.”

How did the USC camp go?

“It went really well. I got offered by USC on Saturday. I did some drills and we won the 7v7 tournament.”

Which position or positions did you play at the USC camp and during the 7v7 portion?

“I attended as a linebacker and played some at tight end during the 7v7 portion.”

How did USC offer you?

“USC’s head coach, Coach (Clay) Helton, pulled me to the side and he offered me.”

That’s fantastic. How did the Oregon camp go?

“It went really well. I worked out with their linebackers’ coach. They said they really liked me. I should get a call from them soon.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you but have not offered you yet?

“Oregon, UCLA, and Cal.”

Since you have so many offers, do you feel pressure to verbally commit to a school sooner than later or are you going with the flow of the process?

“I don’t feel any pressure right now. I am going with the flow. I am open to everyone and anyone.”

Are you going to post a top schools list anytime soon?

“Before summer ends I will narrow down my offers to a Top 6. My commitment may come during season. We’ll see.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“3.0.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I have taken the SAT but I have not received my score yet.”

What degree do you want to pursue in college?

“Criminal justice.”

What goals have you set for yourself for the 2017 season?

“I want to win Golden League and go to the CIF championship again. Those are the two big things I want to do for my team this year.”

Matthew, thank you for your time today and good luck with your upcoming camp.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 8 Matthew Tago drops back to pass.