College Programs are Catching onto 11-Offer 1,200-Yard 3-Star 2021 ATH/WR Clay Petry
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Few were surprised by the breakout season Clay Petry turned in during the 2019 season, after all he had already showcased his immense overall athletic talents as a sophomore. But most were in awe by the gaudy stat line produced burning Division-II California squads on both sides of the ball. All that hard work has brought a load of offers Petry’s way with his three-star recruiting status on the rise.
The 2018 season was a season for Petry. The 6-2, 205-pound, athlete balled out on both sides of the ball for Bishop’s producing 30 stops, 23 solo, with a pick and two recovered fumbles on defense. On the other side of the ball he did a little bit of everything, including playing quarterback, throwing for 670 yards with 11 touchdowns against just one interception, carried the rock 32 times for 269 yards, and hauled in 29 passes for 293 yards with another score going up on the board.
Once the 2019 season kicked off, Petry was in a class of his own on offense securing 68 passes for 1,204 yards with 14 touchdowns while picking off two passes on defense playing throughout the secondary and in the box; full defensive stats have not been released, regardless, he tore it up against Division-II California squads.
The offseason has brought change for Petry moving from Bishop’s to Helix with a focus coming more as a receiver. College programs have not lost track of him as offers continue to pile up this spring. Thus far, 11 scholarships have been dropped after having one at the end of January (Nevada) with interest continuing to come along the wire.
In an RNG catch-up interview, Petry goes in full detail on his offseason workouts and the rapid rise of recruiting attention this spring.
*Click link for Clay Petry’s Jan. 31 RNG video interview
Interview
Clay, we last spoke in January covering then how your junior season went on the field. For those that may not have seen our video interview, if you will, tell me again how well it went on the way to 1,200-yards receiving.
“It was a fun season and exciting on the field. Like you said, I put up numbers, we got wins, and we went to the championship. I am proud of what I did but I have room to improve, and more in the tank.”
During the 2019 season, what offensive set were the Knights executing?
“We were in a full-on Spread. We are an Air Raid offense throwing the ball a lot. It fit me because I can line up on the outside and inside, and I am running every route in the tree. It was awesome.”
Rolling with that; what were some of the routes you were running within the scheme?
“Anything from goes, posts, corners, comebacks, deep-ins; anything you can think of I was running it.”
Once the season ended, what did you feel were the strengths to your overall game on offense?
“I have always felt confident in my hands. As a big receiver, I take pride in going up and getting it. Last season I improved upon my speed and yards after the catch. I have good game speed, I take pride in making people miss and getting yards after the catch.”
If only you had played offense in 2019, that would have been impressive enough but you also got time in on defense. How did that part of your season go?
“It was awesome. Defense is more interesting to me.”
Where all did you line up on defense?
“At corner, safety, outside linebacker, and end. It was a lot of fun. I am the kind of guy if the coach says go do this, I go do it. I was making plays all around the field. It was nice.”
Which areas of your game improved the most?
“My leadership abilities improved. On offense, as a receiver, everyone looks to the quarterback to lead the team. I was the quarterback of the defense. If there was a question, they looked to me. I kept my guys together ready to attack the offense.”
Where all will we see you on the field in 2020?
“Actually, I am transferring to Helix. I am super excited about the move. At Helix, I will be at receiver and you might see me on defense. I know Helix is a big-time program and they maybe have two guys going both ways. There is a possibility to see me at corner or free safety.”
What has been the focus of your workouts this spring with the move in mind?
“My speed. I feel like that is my biggest knock, everyone talks about it. I have made huge progress with my speed and I am excited to showcase that this season. This offseason, I have also been working on my routes and hands – I am catching about 300 balls per day. The goal for the season is no drops.”
Continuing on that line, what has been your daily routine during this time to stay in shape?
“On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, as a team we get on Zoom at 7:00 then we do a 30-minute workout. I try to get a lift and cardio in later on in the day; I try to do four things every day.”
Assuming college camps happen this summer, are there any camps you may attend?
“There are a lot of camps I want to attend, but I can’t go to them all. I will try go up north to Washington, Oregon, and some of the other Pac-12 schools like Stanford. I also want to go out to Big Ten camps like Ohio State and Michigan, but I don’t know yet if I will be able to do that. Dreaming that the virus will go away as soon as possible and I can go to all of these camps. And I want to go to the schools that have offered like Boise State, Yale, Columbia, and San Diego State.”
Since our last conversation, your recruiting has shot off the map. How many offers do you have now?
“Eleven; it is super awesome. Before the dead period, I thought the opposite would happened that I would go to camps and no one would talk to me, but people are still looking for me.”
Which programs were the last few to offer?
“Columbia and the two before were Air Force and Yale.”
Petry’s Offer Sheet (11): Air Force, Boise State, Cal-Poly, Columbia, Holy Cross, Lehigh, Nevada, Pennsylvania, San Diego State, UNLV, and Yale
What has this rush on the recruiting trail been like for you?
“Honestly, it took me by storm. Everyone was telling me to be patient, and that once they start, they won’t stop. I have been busy being on the phone a lot and texting. Sometimes it is overwhelming, but I am super happy about it.”
When you have been able to talk to the various college coaches, what have they been saying they like about your skills on the field?
“They talk a lot talk about my instincts, how I am a smart plyer, about my size, and my hands. They talk a lot about my knowledge of the game.”
We’ve gone over your offers, which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
“There are a couple of schools showing interest, some Pac-12 and ACC schools. We will see where that goes.”
Once the dead period ends, are there any planned visits you may take?
“If this whole thing is lifted, I want to get up to the schools that have offered me. I also want to see some of the Pac-12 schools, the LA schools – UCLA and USC and the Washington and Oregon schools. I want to go out to the Ivy League schools too; I want to go on that run. I want to see each conference. I love football; I wouldn’t mind going around the country and seeing all of them if I could.”
Going into the classroom. Do you have a cumulative GPA you don’t mind sharing?
“3.36.”
What did you post on the ACT and/or SAT?
“On the ACT, I scored a 25 my first time taking it. I plan on taking it again.”
Nice. Last question for you. Do you play any other varsity sports?
“Actually, I was going to play golf. My dad plays a lot, I wanted to start playing that and start competing with him. I played basketball every year, but not this year. I will next year.”
Clay, it was a lot of fun getting time in with you today covering all this ground. Thank you, and good luck with the rest of your offseason workouts.
“Thank you.”
Photo credits: Megan Quiggle/Petry family; No. 3 Clay Petry