Interview: Colin Schooler Ends High School Career Tearing Up California Opposition

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

As the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end. One very good thing that came to an end on Nov. 18 was the high school football career of Colin Schooler. The great thing is, Mr. Schooler will be taking his talents to the collegiate level next year extending a very promising career on the gridiron.

High school football fans in California are very familiar with Mission Viejo. The Diablos pulled of a perfect 2015 season going 16-0 capturing back-to-back state titles. Their winning streak reached 39 games going 11-1 in 2016 before a tough 34-25 loss to Rancho Cucamonga in the second round of the playoffs. One of the consistent pieces with all the posted victories over the past three seasons has been linebacker/running back Colin Schooler.

For all of his productivity on the field, one could easily argued that he was not used enough. With just 101 carries on the year, Schooler rushed for 1,161 yards with 19 touchdowns on the ground. In the passing attack, the 6-1, 225 pound, talent hauled in 21 passes for 464 yards with six more trips to the end zone. A telling stat, Schooler averaged 11.5 yards per carry and 22.1 yards per reception during his senior year.

At the end of his junior season, Schooler earned first team All-State, first team All-County, first team All-League (South Coast), first team All-CIF, and Team Defensive MVP honors. All those same honors could be coming around the corner again after coming up with 77 tackles, four tackles for a loss, two sacks, and two interceptions through all 12 of Mission Viejo’s games.

The stats could have been padded a little more for Schooler but the Diablos outmatched every other team they played during the regular season averaging 45.6 points a game while limiting teams to 12 points per contest. Schooler turned it on when needed helping the Diablos to a 49-28 win over Servite in the opening round of the playoffs. The do-everything talent rushed for 197 yards on 11 carries with two scores, caught three passes for 68 yards with another touchdown, and was credited with 12 tackles including a tackle for loss against the Friars. Against the state’s No. 6 ranked team, No. 28 nationally (MaxPreps), Schooler had 151 yards on 16 carries with one touchdown, hauled in five passes for 126 yards with another trip to the end zone, and had five tackles on defense.

Despite his eight scholarship offers, recruiting, based on productivity and ability, for Schooler has been under the radar. Colleges offering the southern California native includes Buffalo, Nevada, Holy Cross, San Jose State, UNLV, College of Charleston, New Mexico, and Fresno State.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Schooler at the conclusion of his season to get an overview on his senior year and an update on his recruitment.

Interview

Colin, in the opening round of the playoffs the Diablos stopped Servite 49-28, how did that game go for you?

“It started off well. My first carry went for a 49-yard touchdown.”

What clicked for you in that game that allowed you to play so well against one of the better teams in southern California?

“Most of it was following the game plan and trusting my teammates to do their job.”

As a linebacker, you guys shutdown Servite’s run game. What was it like going up against Colorado 2017 QB commit Tyler Lytle (4-star)?

“He definitely came to play that game. He did really well against us passing the ball.”

How did that experience help you grow as a defender?

“It helped out personally, he is a D-I guy. It shows me what I can when I go to the next level. As a team, that gave us that confidence we needed going forward.”

In the next round the Diablos lost to Rancho Cucamonga 34-25, how did the game go for you personally?

“Personally, I had a pretty good game. We turned the ball over five times. One was a pick-six, the others were inside our own 20.”

Jaylon Redd (4-star Oregon commit) is a unique all-around talent, what was it like butting heads against him for four quarters? (29 carries, 143 yards, and three touchdowns)

“He really did not do anything bad against us. He had a good game but no big gains. He scored when we turned it over inside the 20. I think his touchdowns were on four and five-yard run-ins.”

Looking back on your senior year, what are some of the accomplishments you are most proud to have achieved?

“We won league this year. That was good. We beat two Trinity league teams. We had the 39-game win streak that sadly came to an end.”

Have you started your off-season workouts?

“Yeah. I started the first Monday after the loss.”

What are you working on to improve upon?

“Right now I am bulking up and doing what I can running wise.”

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

“Arizona, Cal, and Utah – they all have been in this week. All the teams are speaking with their coaches about me. I got an offer from Holy Cross. That was offer No. 8.”

Of the schools that have offered you, which ones are showing the most interest?

“UNLV, New Mexico, and Nevada.”

Do you have any visits planned upcoming?

“I’m going to Arizona on Jan. 13 (official), and UNLV next week.”

With the UNLV official visit next week, what are you most excited to learn about when there?

“It is an official, that will be cool to spend the night in town. I went on unofficial to Wyoming. This will be the real deal. I know Tony Sanchez is doing a great job. I know they are getting a new facility, and if the Raiders go there, how will that work out?”

What about your Arizona trip, what has you excited about that?

“I’m excited to visit a college town. I have some friends there but this is a business trip for football. I love the fact that it is a college town.”

Follow up as always, how are the grades?

“I have a 3.2 GPA.”

And your score on the ACT?

“A 22.”

Colin, thanks for your time today and good luck on your trip to UNLV.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Great American Rivalry Series; No. 7 Colin Schooler winning MVP honors.

Photo credit: voasport.com; No. 7 Colin Schooler fights for more yards.

Photo credit: latimes.com; No. 7 Colin Schooler gets a sack.