Interview: Do Everything 2017 ATH Jaylon Redd Sets Three Official Visits
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
There are a lot of truly great athletes in the 2017 recruiting class shinning all over the field and on both sides of the ball. But there are very few who can make the opposition look truly bad and in as many ways as Rancho Cucamonga High School’s Jaylon Redd.
Redd has been making opposing California teams look foolish at running back, wide receiver, cornerback, safety, and especially as a kick and punt returner. If the move was legal on the gridiron, Redd would probably be able to out dropkick a ball carrier better than Bobby Boucher in Adam Sandler’s The Waterboy too.
The Cougars stat keeper was busy in 2015 trying to keep track of their consensus four-star recruit. When Rancho Cucamonga’s season was completed Redd had rushed for 671 yards off 99 carries with nine scores on the ground. In the passing game he added 20 receptions covering 232 yards with three more scores. On special teams, the 5-9, 185 pound, speed burner scorched teams for 99 yards off five punt returns and 376 yards off 11 kick returns.
Redd is a legitimate next level impact player all over the field and that includes the possibility of playing safety or corner for some lucky school. Redd compiled 63 tackles, 33 solo, defending four passes, with one force fumble, and picked off three bad decision passes during his junior campaign.
In early July, Redd limited his double-digit offer sheet to a Top 8 of Oregon, UCLA, USC, Notre Dame, Michigan, Nebraska, Arizona, and Arizona State. For now, three teams have been moved into the Top 5 with two slots left to be filled on official visits. The five on the outside looking in have until a set commitment date of Sept. 25 to get Redd on campus.
In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I caught up with Redd for a rundown on his off-season, the Cougars’ 2016 squad, and received a recruiting news update.
Interview
Jaylon, I know you’ve been busy this summer getting ready for your senior year. What all have you been working to improve upon this summer?
“I’ve been in the weight room hard, twice a day. I’ve been training three times a day and doing twitch muscle work three times a week.”
What gains have you made with all of your workouts?
“Some of the gains I’ve made this summer, I brought my 40 time down to a 4.44-4.45. I raised my squat up to 505 and my bench to 285. I’ve been trying to stay in top shape and working on getting body ready for the next level.”
Did you go to any college camps this summer?
“No.”
Did you take any unofficial visits this off-season?
“I did. I went to UCLA and USC.”
How did the visit to UCLA go?
“It went great. Both the visits went great.”
Do you have any of your official visits lined up for this fall?
“I have three lined up. I have Oregon on Nov. 12 for the Stanford game, I’m visiting Nebraska on Sept. 3 for the Fresno State game, and I am visiting UCLA on Sept. 10 for the UNLV game. I will set two more visits but I’m not sure to which schools yet.”
Is your Top 8 still set? You haven’t swapped one team in our out?
“Still set.”
You’ve narrowed down a few but have you eliminated any of your Top 8?
“I have not narrowed them down. I still have a Top 8 for now.”
Of the schools that have offered you, are any pushing harder than the others as your commitment date gets closer?
“All of the schools are pushing hard. All of the coaches are calling me every day. They are all wanting to know about my dates and hitting me up a lot. I don’t always have time to talk to everyone or call everyone back. It keeps me busy.”
I bet. Let’s switch over to the Cougars. When did you guys start fall camp?
“We started on Monday of last week.”
How is the team looking so far in camp?
“We are looking good right now as a whole. Everything is going great actually.”
Which positions will we see you playing this year?
“I’m starting at running back. The rest depends on who we play each week. If needed, I will start as a defensive back. Thomas (Graham) and I are both starting on offense and depending on the match-up also starting on defense.”
Which games on the schedule are you pumped to play already?
“Murrieta Valley and Norco.”
Why Murrieta Valley?
“Last year we barely beat them. We stripped them, got the ball back, and scored with 30 second to go. They have great wide receivers and we have great defensive backs. It will be the match-up of the year.”
What has you excited to play Norco?
“I have played Norco five times in high school. I think we’ve won three times and they have won twice. They won last year (29-26). I want to win this year.”
Jaylon, thanks for your time today and good luck with your senior season.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: rivals.com; Jaylon Redd defends a pass at a Rivals camp.
Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Jaylon Redd visiting UCLA.
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