Interview: 1,000-Yard 2022 Arizona Rusher Anyale Velazquez Earns Under Armour Camp RB MVP
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The sledgehammer coming out of the Corona Del Sol backfield during the 2020 season was Anyale Velazquez. During his junior season, Velazquez was bashing 6A defenses to the ground rolling downhill at 6-1, 225 pounds. The result of a 156-carry season during the team’s nine-game season was 1,006 yards with 12 touchdowns. Showing that versatility out of the backfield, Velazquez also secured 12 passes for 137 more yards in the Aztecs offensive attack. With that performance, interest has come in from Northern Arizona, Sioux Falls, and Army among others.
Expect a desert storm of recruiting activity this offseason for Velazquez. He has slimmed down to 205 pounds adding more speed and burst to his game. That new-look game put on an impressive performance on March 27 in Phoenix at the Under Armour All-American Camp earning running back MVP. For an in-depth look at his skills on the field, Velazquez made a stop at the RNG Clubhouse.
Interview
Anyale, you were a fully loaded truck speeding downhill last season running over and past 6A Arizona squads. After the performance you turned in, how do you feel you did?
I feel pretty good about it, but I feel like I could have done better. I was not as fast as I am now. As fast as I am now, I could have had more breakaway runs. There is always room for improvement.
The Aztecs were giving some different looks to the defense running the Pistol and some two-back sets. What was the philosophy of the attack?
Get me running downhill, right at the defenders. A lot of linebackers could not tackle me by themselves. The plan was to go downhill.
How was the coordinator getting the ball into your hands?
Some of the plays were zones with an option to cut back. I did some sweeps too.
Your line and receivers were doing an amazing job blocking for you; a shout out to them. And you were taking advantage of it with your field vision, power, and speed. After the 156-carry season, what did you feel were the strengths to your overall game?
Most definitely. I feel like my vision, I can see the whole field, and my cuts, they were always there.
Against which team did you turn in your best game?
My best game was Basha.
What did you do well in that one to pick it as your top performance of the season?
Not one carry was under six yards. I think I was over seven yards per carry against them.
What are you working on this offseason?
Mostly my speed; speed and agility. That is why I dropped my weight (225). I am still working on getting faster as well and focusing on having more explosiveness and power.
You took all of that experience and hard work to the Under Armour All-American regional in Phoenix on Saturday taking on other top players from the region. How did the camp go for you?
I feel like the camp went well overall. The one-on-ones went well and I did the drills as well.
There were a lot of other notable running backs at the camp, what were the things you did well to earn positional MVP honors?
My footwork was a lot cleaner. There were some backs, there was one three-star there, his footwork was better than mine. My catching helped; I did not drop a ball.
Anyale, congratulations on your camp MVP performance. Thanks for your time today and keep us updated on your offseason workouts this summer.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Photo credit: NIL/Velazquez family; Anyale Velazquez
Photo credit: Kris Cartwright/Velazquez family; Anyale Velazquez