Expectations ramping up for California JC QB Carson Dean
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
A lot of things have changed since college scouts last saw Carson Dean in action. The fall of 2022, Dean was still growing, listed at 6-2, 175, but is now 6-4, 210. Dean was spinning it then for Fresno’s (Calf.) San Joaquin Memorial and now is at Reedley College, part of California’s community colleges system. When the 2024 junior college football season begins, Dean is the expected starter for Reedley with Power Five teams eagerly awaiting his film.
The fall months of 2023 were spent developing prepping for the future.
“I still practiced with the team the whole time,” Dean said. “The whole point of the gray shirt for me was to build team connections and grow with them. I was practicing, I was not missing anything. I didn’t want to waste a year, I wanted to be ready for my first year.”
Details to the Tigers’ offense was discussed, “We run a mix between West Coast and Spread.”
Dean continued, “At Reedley, they focus on being the hard-working guy,” Dean stated. “We don’t have everything other JCs have. We do have a hard work ethic. One thing I have noticed in my improvement is what I can do with the ball after getting bigger and stronger.
“The quarterback coaches have helped me a lot with accelerators and going through progressions faster. The weight has helped me put more zip on the ball allowing me to make any throw on the field.”
When Dean begins his attack on California junior college defenses, a next level crowd will be watching.
“Sac State, I have been in contact with them since high school; I am interested in them,” Dean shared. “Nebraska has showed interest. I went to their camp over the summer, they were deciding on giving me a preferred walk-on, but I couldn’t pay the out of state tuition. I am still in contact with them. TCU has showed the most interest. They seemed really excited to have me there when I visited in December.”
The time with the Horned Frogs was covered.
“That was awesome,” Dean said. “I set up a school tour to go with visiting the coaches; I saw the facilities and the school. TCU is way nicer in person. It was a good experience, they treated me well there. I had a good tour.”
The relationship with the Cornhuskers was explained, “They were similar to Nebraska, they offered me a preferred walk-on. I told them I want to earn a scholarship. They are waiting for my film. I am going to their one-day prospect camp this summer.”
When Dean ended his senior season with the Panthers, San Joaquin Memorial posted a 10-3 record, the squad went 3-7 without him in 2023.
*Click the link for the Jan. 3, 2021, RNG interview with Carson Dean.