Interview: California 2018 QB Jack Alexander Updates Five Campus East Coast Visit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The grind in football put in during the off-season shows up during the regular season when it counts. The off-season work put in out on the recruiting trail for both player and coaching staff pays dividends in the long run, no matter how it may turn out. Work put in now shows up on National Signing Day for college program and high school talent. One California player grinding in off-season workouts and on the recruiting trail working his hardest to set up his future is Redondo Union High School quarterback Jack Alexander.

There is not a quarterback coach or a 7-on-7 coach in southern California who is not aware of Alexander. There also is not a high school coach in the Bay League or in the surrounding area not familiar with the Class of 2018 rising star. Alexander is everywhere doing everything possible to improve his game and work with the best of the best instructionally and with player personnel on the field. The 6-3, 190 pound, pro-style QB laid down the groundwork for a big senior season after passing for 1,573 yards and 19 touchdowns hitting 126-of-222 pass attempts. He also showed good mobility on designed plays and when plays broke down scrambling for 142 additional yards and three more scores.

The payoff for all the hard work on the recruiting trail for Alexander has been growing interest from programs like Arizona, Washington State, Harvard, Brown, Princeton, Columbia, Penn, Bucknell, and Arizona State. One offer has already been extended from Cornell with more ready to drop over the coming months. Ensuring scholarship options, Alexander took an east coast road trip the weekend of March 17-19 stopping by Harvard, Brown, Columbia, Bucknell, and Penn.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Alexander after his five-campus visit to get the inside scoop on his time with each coaching staff.

Interview

Jack, first, congratulations on a successful trip to the east coast.

“Thank you.”

Where all did you go over the weekend?

“We went to Harvard, Brown, Columbia, Bucknell, and Penn.”

Who went with you?

“My dad, Christian Islas, a lineman at Redondo Union, and his father.”

Which visit was your first?

“We went to Harvard Friday morning.”

What all did you do at Harvard?

“First I sat down with Coach Logan Johnson, he is the area recruiter for southern California. We talked for about 30 to 45 minutes. Then Coach (Mike) Morris (football operations coordinator) took Christian and me on a tour. The facilities and stadium were awesome. Then we went on a campus tour with DJ Bailey (sophomore DE from JSerra). He showed us around that was really cool.”

What did the Harvard coaches talk to you about when you were there?

“They talked about the recruiting process in the Ivy League and the differences from the recruiting process with other schools. We went over test scores, height and weight, and they let me know that I am one of the select few from the west coast they are recruiting. Everything is looking optimistic with Harvard.”

Which school did you visit next?

“Friday afternoon we went to Providence, Rhode Island, to visit Brown.”

What all did you do when visiting the Bears?

“We sat down with Coach (Paul) Frisone, he is the area recruiter for southern California. He is a great guy. A lot of what he was saying I agreed with. We gelled well. I already meet a lot of their recruiting requirements. I met all their grade requirements. They let me know they liked my film.”

Did you see yourself fitting in with the school and program at Brown?

“Yes. I can see myself fitting in there.”

Where did you go next?

“On Saturday morning we went into the city to visit Columbia. That was awesome.”

What all did you do at Columbia?

“We went to their athletic complex. Their complex holds football, baseball, and most of their facilities there. That was really cool. They have a new football building. We toured that. They have a video game lounge, a nutrition facility, and so many things in there. Their facilities really stood out. Coach (Todd) Gilcrist (wide receivers coach) stood out. He is a great guy. Columbia showed a lot of love during the visit. I will be in contact with them going forward for sure.”

Did the Lions staff tell you what their recruiting process going forward will be for you?

“I met their requirements. They said they will stay in touch – a lot. I sent them my transcripts and my test scores as soon as we got back. Everything is looking good there. They may be the closest to offering me out of the Ivy League.”

Which visit was next?

“We went to Pennsylvania next visiting Bucknell Saturday afternoon.”

What all did you do with the Bison?

“I was surprised with everything at Bucknell. The city is small but their facilities were massive. Their head coach, Coach (Joe) Susan, met with me and showed us around. He took his time to show us around. I was impressed with that.”

What did Coach Susan talk to you about during the visit?

“We had a long conversation talking about campus life, who they play, and all the basics. Their coaching staff watched my film. They liked it. They have been in touch with me over the last few days since I left. Bucknell looks like a really good option too.”

Where was your last visit?

“We went to U-Penn (Pennsylvania) on Sunday.”

What all did you do when visiting the Quakers?

“We got there and had a good conversation with their wide receivers coach, Coach (Rick) Ulrich. He talked to us about the process, what U-Penn had to offer, and we had some cheese stakes. The campus is old but really nice. The stadium seats 60,000 people. The Philadelphia Eagles used to play there. The Wharton School of Business really impressed me. Their graduates come out making six figures a year. The coaches told me they are coming out to Redondo Union the first week in May to check out one of my practices.”

Are any other coaches from the schools you visited penciled in to come see one of your spring practices?

“Coach Johnson from Harvard, Coach Ulrich from Penn, and Coach Frisone from Brown all said they would be out this spring for a practice.”

What other schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“The amount of mail I have been receiving has been picking up. One of USC’s coaches started following me on Twitter. Louisville and Colorado are new interest. I am visiting Arizona and Arizona State next week. All the Ivy League schools have communicated with me or are sending me mail. Northern Arizona is new interest as well.”

What has you excited about visiting both Arizona and Arizona State?

“I have been around both campuses. With Arizona, I really like that it is a campus town. I like everything about it. Tempe is a great city too. I like Arizona State’s offense and how they have become a really good program. I’m excited to communicate with the coaches at both schools because I have not communicated much with them so far.”

Which school are you visiting when?

“I’m going with my 7-on-7 team, ProWay. We are going to Arizona’s Friday night Spring Game (March 31) and then we will be at Arizona State on the 1st (April 1).”

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

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Alexander family; Jack Alexander at Bucknell with Coach Joe Susan and Christian Islas.

Photo credit: Alexander family; Jack Alexander and Christian Islas at Harvard with fathers.

Photo credit: Alexander family; Jack Alexander in the Columbia locker room.