Interview: Get Ready to Learn the Name of 2017 California QB Kaymen Cureton

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Hardcore high school football fans in southern California are aware of Kaymen Cureton. Even a few of the really astute San Jose State Spartan fans can tell you a little bit about Cureton, but soon enough everyone will know a lot about the rising dual-threat quarterback in the 2017 class.

Seemingly in the shadows of all the press and hype about this five-star or that four-star, Cureton has slowly risen out of local folklore into a nationally wanted playmaker at the next level. The table was set in 2015 when Cureton threw for 3,787 yards with 30 touchdowns connecting on 64 percent of his attempts. The 6’2”, 201 pound, Los Angeles area talent also led Los Angeles Senior High School in rushing yards with 775 off 54 totes, a 14.4 yard per carry average, with four additional scores.

San Jose State was the first, and for a while the only, team to jump on Cureton. Cureton committed to the Spartans on Dec. 9 after being unsure of his recruiting status on the national level. The uncertainty was not in his skill set but in the few looks that were coming his way. The budding interest sprung loose in the spring with San Diego State, Boston College, Nevada, Colorado State, New Mexico, and Hawaii all adding to the mix. Jumping ahead of all Pac-12 schools, LSU was the first SEC team to offer (March 1), followed by South Carolina (April 15) and Alabama (April 27) taking him to a whole other level on the grand stage.

The immediate jump in attention for Cureton has not changed him or overwhelmed him in the slightest. If anything, from the outside in, it has further empowered the deep rooted beliefs giving this field general more confidence in his abilities. Opposing California defenses cannot be happy about this in the least bit. When watching Cureton play, he is the rare breed quarterback who can thrive as a pro-style dual-threat comfortable in the shotgun and under center. His athleticism in the pocket jumps out immediately and unlike a lot of young quarterbacks he throws with touch leading his receivers to a spot lofting pass after pass just over the fingertips of the defender.

Cureton’s path forward is wide open. Everything is really up in the air from recruiting to needing to gel with his new team during spring ball and over the summer into the 2016 season. In the offseason, Cureton transferred from Los Angeles to Leuzinger High School in Lawndale adding a little more pressure to his mounting pile put nothing he cannot handle.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the fastest rising stars in the 2017 class to get his thoughts on his junior season, found out about his offseason workouts, and received a very interesting recruiting news update.

Interview

Kaymen, in the best way possible you truly are a different kind of high school quarterback.

“Thank you.”

I would call you a pro-style dual-threat quarterback. Would you say that is accurate?

(Laughs) “Yeah. It was awkward at first. From my freshman year I was in the shotgun, even back to my Pop Warner days. I learned a lot from Coach Scott. If this translates to the next level I will do it. I got stronger with my drops over time and now it is second nature for me.”

When you are on the field, either pre-snap or in the pocket, what are some of the things you do well as a quarterback?

“I think my pre-snap read is good. I’m good at seeing what the defense is going to do. My pocket awareness is top tier. I can feel it coming. Even with the pressure, my eyes are always downfield.”

What about from a technique standpoint? What are some of the things you do well in that regard?

“My feet are always the same, I never change that. I never throw off balance and I stay consistent unless I am throwing on the run. I know the routes and where my receivers are at any time on the field. My mechanics with my throwing motion are the same. My angle my change but form does not.”

Did you earn any individual honors at the end of your junior year?

“Yes. I got first team All-State from Cal Hi Sports. I was our Offensive Player of the Year for the team too.”

What are you working on in the offseason for your senior year?

“I’m training to improve my speed, I’m working on getting that up. I’m lifting to get stronger. My squat has gone from 295 to 335 and my bench has gone from 265 to 300. My 40 time, I’m working on that. My last 40-yard dash time was a 4.67 hand timed. Overall, I’m working on getting stronger for senior year.”

Have you set your goals for the 2016 football season?

“Yes, I have. What I really want to do is break the touchdown passing record. The passing record I want to break is 66 touchdowns. I want to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 1,000.”

That would be an amazing year. Around this time I normally ask if you’re role will change or expand. Seems unlikely, but will you play any other positions in 2016?

“Actually they do want me to play some strong safety, only when needed but I will play both sides of the ball next year.”

Interesting. Let’s get into recruiting some here. What drew you to commit to San Jose State in December?

“Honestly, they were my first offer. I was trying to be patient with the process but nothing had come around by the time I had expected it to. I took two visits to San Jose State prior to my junior year, I felt comfortable there. That’s why I committed there.”

Of the schools that have offered, are there any that are pushing hard to flip you?

“Colorado State. Coach (Mike) Bobo and his guys are pushing extremely hard. I talk to the coaches there on a daily basis. Coach (Brian) Polian from Nevada, they call and check in. On Thursday, LSU’s Coach (Dameyune) Craig gave me a follow on Twitter. I’m guessing that will pick up. Coach Craig scheduled a time to talk with me coming up.”

Which schools are recruiting you but have not offered yet?

“Oklahoma. They are showing interest through my coach. West Virginia, Florida, and Florida State as well are all showing interest. Those are the big ones. I’m just being patient with the process.”

Which schools have you unofficially visited so far?

“Actually, San Jose State is the only school that I have been to so far. I wanted to take visits but I could not because of a family illness.”

Do you have any unofficial visits lined up for any part of the spring or this summer?

“I want to go to UCLA and USC. My mom really wants to check out Colorado State. She really wants to go there. She’s a football mom. We want to go to Nevada too.”

When you take the various visits, what will be some of the things you will look for as a perspective student-athlete?

“First thing is the environment. Who are the guys I will play with? It is great to be in love with the position coach but do they have the personnel to execute the plays? The environment and personnel are the first things. I want to graduate in 3.5 years. I’m looking for academic excellence as well and the whole family thing. Are they straight up with their players? Do they have a group of guys that work hard?”

If a change of heart is to come, do you have an idea of when you might make that announcement?

“I actually don’t. My dad told me to come up with a decision the other day. I told him I don’t know. There could be more offers coming in. I want to look at all the schools, take my time and give the coaches an opportunity to recruit me. I could go through until signing day.”

How is everything going in the classroom for you?

“I have a 3.4 GPA.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I take the ACT the second week in June.”

Have you started thinking about what you want to major in once in college?

“Yes. I’m looking at majoring in journalism or broadcasting. I’m interested in multi-media or kinesiology.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“English, I love to write and express myself in all ways. I’ll write poetry or whatever. Ask me to do it and I will kill it.”

Are you playing any other sports or did you before your transfer?

“Honestly I was going to play basketball. I was looking forward to that but then Alabama called. My dad said no more basketball. He said it does not get any bigger than Alabama. So no more basketball, but I agree with him on that.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“Wow, tough question. I feel like my favorite part is coming into a new environment every Friday night. I like being able to make a name for the program when given a chance. You come in as an underdog but you have to play together as a unit. Win or lose, you are playing together and enjoying playing with each other.”

Kaymen, thanks for your time today and good luck with the ACT and your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: ourweekly.com; No. 1 Kaymen Cureton in the stands (2014).

Photo credit: latimes.com; No. 1 Kaymen Cureton rifles one down field.

Photo credit: fi360news.com; No. 1 Kaymen Cureton in the pocket.