Interview: Bruins 2017 TE Commit Jimmy Jaggers Readies for Midterm Enrollment at UCLA

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The Bruins have a long way to go before filling up their 2017 recruiting class come National Signing Day in February. UCLA currently has nine commits that includes five-star defensive end Jaelan Phillips, four-star offensive guard Kanan Ray, and undervalued three-star cornerback Jaylan Shaw. As the staff puts pieces of the puzzle together working around the talent already attached, one set piece ready to be an impact player in 2017 is four-star tight end Jimmy Jaggers.

Jaggers committed to the Bruins in early August setting himself up to be an early enrollee along the way. The Roseville High School standout did not take his senior season for granted helping the Tigers to a 9-2 record. The Tigers found more ways to use Jaggers in their offense than in years past with a stat line of 14 receptions for 245 yards with two scores in just eight games of posted numbers.

Roseville’s loss on the field next season will be UCLA’s gain. Rivals ranks the 6-4, 240 pound, recruit as the seventh best in the nation at his position. The number of scholarships offered along with the quality of schools seeking the skill set of every down tight end suggest he has earned every bit of his four-star ranking. The Bruins kept Jaggers away from teams like Alabama, Michigan, Tennessee, Florida, Texas A&M, Washington, USC, Utah, Washington State, Vanderbilt, Colorado, Louisville, Northwestern, and Arizona State.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I got a few minutes with Jaggers covering his senior season with a look ahead to his enrollment at UCLA.

Interview

Jimmy, how did your senior season go for you personally?

“It went really well. I think I got a lot accomplished. As a team we got a lot accomplished.”

How did your game improve?

“I put a lot of work in the weight room and on my speed in the off-season. This season I felt like I was better utilized than in years past in the offense.”

Where did you see the bigger gains in your game, with your pass receiving or blocking?

“I tore the tendon off ring finger on my right hand. That skewed me on my blocking more than my receiving oddly enough. All aspects of my game got better and improved this season. The injury was just a little bit of a setback.”

Are you fully healed now?

“I am pretty much healed. I have another couple of days with the splint on and then I can take it off.”

 

Which game was your best this season?

“The Whitney game in Week 8 (won 35-14). That was a big time win for us. We needed that win to secure a possible championship in our league.”

What is your off-season workout plan from now until you get to UCLA? Are you taking a couple of days off and then getting after it?

“Yeah. I’m taking this week off to rest up and restore. I will be doing my typical off-season workouts for the next month and then get ready to head out. This spring I’ll be with UCLA going through their workouts and practices.”

Are you helping recruit other players to join you in Westwood?

“Yeah, all of us commits are. We are always doing what we can to reach out here and there. We have a really tight knit group of commits. It has been fun getting to know them and hanging out with them.”

When do you take your official visit to UCLA?

“On Dec. 10.”

What are you looking forward to with the visit?

“Same thing I am always looking forward to, getting more familiar with the place I know I will be for years to come. A place where I will be for a good part of my life. I’m looking forward to that.”

Have you found out who you will room with when you get to campus?

“No. I think that stuff will come during the official visit.”

Are any schools still dropping a message or calling you from time to time as a just in case?

“No.”

Jimmy, thanks for your time today and good luck with your off-season workouts and transition to UCLA.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Auburn Journal; No. 82 Jimmy Jaggers fights for more yards.

Photo credit: George Hughes; Jimmy Jaggers one-hand touchdown catch.

Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Jimmy Jaggers at UCLA for Spring Game.