Interview: 2018 Arkansas RB Jarret Easley Quietly Having MVP Caliber Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The success of sports talk shows was built upon the hard work of guys like Jarret Easley. Sports enthusiast love guys like Easley even if they cheer for the opposition. The debate is not about if the kid can play, it is about just how damn good he really is.
High school football fans across the state of Arkansas are finally cluing in on Easley, but fans of Fouke High School and their opposition have been well-aware of him since his freshman year. During the 2014 season, Easley helped the Panthers to a 7-5 season laying the foundation for what should have been his breakout season on the recruiting trail. The 2015 schedule was full of highlights for Easley after rushing for 1,361 yards off 219 carries with 18 trips to the end zone. His athletic talents in the open field were further showcased taking three kick returns back for 126 yards finding pay dirt on an 85-yard return. For his efforts, Easley was awarded All-State honors.
Momentum was building during his junior season until a high-ankle sprain limited him to 605 yards off 129 totes with five tackles. Proving to be a team player first, Easley also contributed on defense tallying 15 tackles and two tackles for a loss filling in at outside linebacker as needed.
All the hard work, blood, sweat, and tears for Easley and the Panthers over the years are being poured into the 2017 season – and Easley is not disappointing anyone. Through four games, the 6-1, 185-pound, game changer has carried the rock 48 times for 520 yards with nine touchdowns. Officially earning the all-around athlete tag, Easley has also racked up 28 tackles, two tackles for a loss, and a sack helping his team to a 3-1 start.
As impressive as the stat line reads, there is more. He has taken four kicks back for 127 yards with a 77-yard return for a score and has two 2-point conversions posted. A deeper look, the Panthers are a running team, and have been since Easley first stepped foot on the gridiron at the varsity level. The opposition’s only focus is shutting down No. 24, yet he keeps producing averaging 130 yards a game and 10.8 yards per carry during his senior season.
All the other intangibles next level coaches look for in a recruit are there. Easley has the speed, runs a 4.5 40-yard dash, the size and frame, and is a very good student carrying a 3.65 GPA and scored a 21 on the ACT. Trouble on the recruiting trail for Easley, most college coaches hit the big cities for recruits, not towns the size of Fouke with maybe 1,000 people. Heading towards another Arkansas All-State finish, it will be tough for college coaches to not take a closer look at Easley when the pressure is on to fill play-maker spots in their 2018 class.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the most overlooked talents in the Natural State covering his growing skillset on the field and his recruiting process to date.
Interview
Jarret, how did you prepare yourself physically for your senior year during the offseason?
“During the offseason, I attended 10 to 12 camps. That was the most camps I have done in a summer. I also worked out every day in the field house. At the field house, we worked out early every day doing a lot of weight training. We worked on sprints, speed, and agility, footwork a lot as well.”
You mentioned attending 10 to 12 camps this summer. Which camps did you attend?
“I went to Stephen F. Austin twice, the Southern Elite 150 combine, Arkansas, OBU (Ouachita Baptist), Lyons College (NAIA), SAU (Southern Arkansas), and some others I cannot remember right now.”
Is there anything that you learned at the camps that are helping you on the field this year?
“For sure. Pass protection is the biggest thing. Protecting the quarterback. Ball security was another. Colleges push that hard on you during camps. For a running back, that is a huge factor on the field. I learned a lot about footwork, getting in and out of your cuts, and reading the defense pre-snap. They push finish every drill and every run. That is what separates good from great player and that is what I do.”
You are having an explosive start to the 2017 season averaging 130 yards per game and 10.8 yards per carry, what is clicking so well allowing you to have such a productive year so far?
“This year, the O-line is actually smaller but they are staying on their blocks. We have a new quarterback too. He is young but he knows the offense well. He can throw the ball too. We’ve been mixing it up this year a little more.”
Based on the stats, the Panthers are a run-first and run-second kind of team. Everyone knows you are getting the ball. How are defenses lining up to try to slow you down?
“Even during my freshman year, they knew we were running the ball and I was going to get it. Teams blitz all the linebackers and stack the box on every play. With us throwing the ball a little more this year, it has helped me from getting hit in the backfield so much.”
Which game this season has been your best?
“The Smackover game last week. Smackover is one of the best teams in our conference. Over the last couple of years we have not been able to run against them. I had two touchdowns, one rushing and one on a kick return. They have one of the best defenses in the conference. I feel I played my best against them even though we did not win the game (40-14).”
Another nice transition for me. The Panthers had a tough draw last time out against Smackover, with every set back there is an opportunity to step forward. How has the loss against Smackover motivated the team for the better this week in practice?
“Oh man. We had a couple of easy games and then them. We know we can do better. People are practicing even harder and everyone is fighting for playing time. We have Fordyce and then McGee next. We have some tough games coming up. We know we have to be ready to play.”
Another nice transition. You guys get Fordyce this week. How will they challenge the Panthers offense and defense?
“For us defensively, we know they are going to run the ball. We are working on stopping their run. They have big and fast backs. On offense, we are sticking to the plan – run the ball and throw the ball. Hopefully we will come out with win.”
Are there any other games left on the schedule you are really excited to play?
“Fordyce and McGee are our biggest games. Junction City moved up, they will be the best team we play. We will have to be prepared for that game mentally and physically.”
Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?
“Stephen F. Austin – they said they would come watch me play, SAU, their offensive coordinator has showed interest in me, and OBU. Coach (Sam) Dunnam (defensive line coach) from OBU came to a game this season. I have some D-III schools showing interest too.”
Do you have any planned visits lined up?
“I have a visit planned to Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls, TX) for this weekend.”
What has you excited about the unofficial visit to Midwestern State?
“Being invited to go watch the game and meet the coaches has me excited. The big thing is they are showing interest in me and I appreciate that. I watched one of their games last year, it was a great game. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to know the coaches better.”
Which areas of your game do you feel get overlooked?
“One of my strengths is my speed. I run a 4.5 in the 40. My vision – I can read the defense. I know where I need to go and what needs to happen before it takes place.”
How do you get hyped on game day?
“Music – 100 percent. As a team we gather up, pray, and then let loose. We do the “Day by Day.” It is like a chant. We get rowdy and start yelling. That gets us hyped up.”
What are you goals for the 2017 season?
“The goals for my senior year, playing on both sides of the ball I want to do well on both sides to help my team win games.”
Jarret, thanks for your time today and good luck on Friday against Fordyce.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Thomas Turner; No. 24 Jarret Easley finds running room
Photo credit: Easley family; Jarret Easley at OBU (2017)