Interview: Buzz Around California QB Blaze McKibbin Picking Up Ahead of Junior Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Featured Photo: Raymond Joyce Photogrpahy

Twitter: @RJPSports

Only in California high school football can a backup quarterback in one year enter the following season as a top ranked player, especially as an underclassman. Finding out after an in-depth one-on-one interview with Blaze McKibbin, the big expectations hanging over his head in 2017 is no big deal and comes with the territory. After watching his highlight reel and seeing him in 7v7 action, one can quickly understand why he will step on the gridiron with great confidence this season seemingly unfazed by the early recruiting spotlight.

Very few high school teams are lucky enough to have multiple next level talents on their squad much less two at quarterback. As fate would have it in 2016, Serra High School was in a great position with senior dual-threat Jalani Eason and pro-style quarterback McKibbin on the roster. Eason ended up signing with Eastern Washington as part of the 2017 class. In spot duty, McKibbin took the field for his Gardena team connecting on 17-of 31 pass attempts covering 139 yards with a score.

The potential and upside in McKibbin’s 6-5.5, 195 pound, frame has college coaches’ attention. San Jose State has already dropped an offer with big programs like Washington, Oregon State, and Fresno State ready to see him in action during his junior year. College coaches will quickly get an idea of McKibbin’s skillset with a season opening road game against Narbonne followed by very tough games against Punahou (Honolulu), Dorsey, Alemany, and Chaminade with end of season showdowns against Bishop Amat and Long Beach Poly on the schedule; no rest for the weary in California.

Interview

Blaze, what has been the focus of your off-season workouts?

“For this off-season, I have been working on my pocket presence and movement. I’ve been working on that timer in your mind to get out of the pocket after three seconds to make a play. I’ve been embracing the role as a starting quarterback. To be a good quarterback you have to be a leader on and off the field. I’ve been working on leadership traits. I’m bonding with my guys on the team so we can have a great season.”

How have your mechanics improved this summer?

“From last year, I had a low elbow and my front stride was very long. I have a shorter front stride and I’m getting my arm up. My standing reach is at 8-foot 5-inches. I’m trying to get the ball up there every time. I am more efficient with my throwing motion.”

Did you play 7v7 ball?

“Yeah, I did. I played in a couple of tournaments with Premium and three with my school.”

How did playing 7v7 help grow your game in the pocket?

“7v7 helped my game in the pocket a lot. This off-season I had a chance to work with my receivers almost every day. 7v7 has been great for signal calling. It has been great for solo plays and solo signals with my receivers. It has helped with all the timing routes. 7v7 has helped me a lot.”

Did you go to any college camps this summer?

“I did. I went to a Washington camp. That was amazing. I could only stay for two days because of a team passing tournament. I tried to focus this off-season on bonding with my guys and working on a strong presence so I did not attend a bunch of camps, just Washington’s. We have Narbonne in Week 1. I want to send a message in Week 1.”

What did you do well at the Washington camp?

“I did well with my footwork. I took every rep at 100 percent, but I think footwork set me apart. Most coaches look at the 6-5 skinny guy thinking he might be slow, but my footwork was really good at the camp. Mechanically, I was pretty sound there too.”

Was there anything you learned from the various college coaches that will help your game during the 2017 season?

“Coach Jonathan Smith (offensive coordinator/QB coach) was a really nice guy. He did not correct a whole lot about me. At the camp, we went over coverages every day. Before the competition we would sit in the quarterback room with a lot of focus on Cover 4 and Cover 3. They really focus on the deep safeties and their responsibilities. They are big on that there. They are big on reading the defense before the snap at Washington.”

Did you get to do anything else while you were there?

“They showed us the school on a tour and had some guest speakers there talking about the program.”

Did you get to talk to the coaches at any point during the camp about the recruiting process?

“I talked to Coach Smith. He said they are taking a good look at me now. They want more game film on me. They want to see what I can do on the field. This season is a special season for me. My game film from this season will be a main factor in getting offers.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“Fresno State, Oregon State, and Washington, that’s about it for now.”

You have an offer from San Jose State, how did you find out the Spartans were your first Division-I football offer?

“I called them at eight o’clock in the morning with my dad (June 6). They offered me then. That was a really special moment for me.”

Do you have any planned visits for the last part of the summer or in the fall?

“I might go to UCLA with my dad. I think it will be in a couple of weeks.”

When do you start fall camp with Serra?

“We are on a three-week dead period. We have the remainder of this week, in one-and-a-half weeks we are back in pads for fall camp. I am excited for pads, it feels like it has been forever.”

How is the chemistry coming along between you and your receivers?

“With my receivers, this off-season we have a lot of signals we have worked on for the season. I hang out with my receivers and linemen all the time. This has been a great off-season for chemistry on and off the field. I’m learning what they like and don’t like. It has been a really good off-season for our team.”

What goals have you set for the 2017 season?

“Nothing stat wise but my goal for the season is to come out on top in the Narbonne game. I want a 10-0 perfect season for a good seeding in the playoffs. I never want to take away from my team. As long as my team wins, that is all I care about. I’d rather have one TD thrown in a win than four TDs in a losing effort.”

You’ve mentioned Narbonne a couple of times, is there another game on the schedule that you are already excited to play?

“I am really excited to play Long Beach Poly in Week 10.”

Blaze, thanks for your time today and good luck with fall practices.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: rivals.com; Blaze McKibbin at a camp (2017).

Featured photo: Blaze McKibbin (left) at a Rise and Fire camp (2017).