Interview: 2019 Arkansas QB Ren Hefley Updates Offseason and Recruiting Interest

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Any coach seeking to bring a player to their roster for a team sport wants, at the minimum, to find that person who will help win games. Some coaches may want a little bit more – a player with a hard work ethic, on and off the field, and a person they will enjoy being around for years going forward. College coaches seeking a Class of 2019 quarterback that fits the bill; check out Ren Hefley.

It takes a team to win games, but it also takes a leader to help the team succeed. Over the past two seasons, Hefley has been that leader on the field taking Bryant High School to new heights with never before accomplished back-to-back advances to Arkansas’ 7A semifinals. Exact season stats were not released for Hefley, but in stats through six games posted, he completed 94 of 155 passes for 1,400 yards with 16 touchdowns tossed against only four interceptions. The 6-1.5, 185-pound, field general worked his trade on the field but perhaps shinned just as much, if not more, in the classroom sporting a 4.15 GPA with a 30 notched on the ACT.

If recruiting interest was a tradable commodity, Hefley would have fat pockets. Schools liking what they are seeing so far includes Vanderbilt, Arkansas State, seemingly every Ivy League program, Louisiana Tech, and in-state powerhouse Arkansas, among others. In a Recruiting News Guru catch-up interview, I got the inside scoop on Hefley’s spring workouts and his growing recruiting process.

*Click link for Sept. 28, 2017, RNG interview with Ren Hefley

Interview

Ren, what are you working on with your game this offseason?

“I am working on my throwing motion, getting the ball out faster, my footwork and pocket movement drills. I am improving my ability to escape and move around in the pocket. I have also been working with our DB coach, he has been teaching me how to make moves downfield so I can be a better runner this season.”

You’re adding more running to your game this season, what is your best 40-yard dash time?

“My best is a 4.52.”

Nice. Over the last year, how has your skillset as a pocket passer improved?

“My throwing motion has improved. I am throwing it a lot harder than last season. My QB coach has been helping me throughout our winter break and this spring. We’ve been breaking down game film. I am improving mentally as well.”

Are you going to any college camps this summer?

“It is all up in the air. I am looking at camps at Harvard, Arkansas State, UCA (Central Arkansas), Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Yale, Princeton, Brow, Columbia, UPenn (Pennsylvania), Tulane, and a satellite camp at War Memorial Stadium (Little Rock, AR).”

Which schools are showing interest in you now?

“All the Ivy League schools – Harvard, Columbia, Brown, Yale, Princeton, UPenn, and Dartmouth. I am also receiving interest from Vanderbilt, UCA, Arkansas State, Tulane, Memphis, Louisiana Tech, Cornell, and Arkansas.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits this offseason?

“I have been to Tulane, Arkansas State, and Harvard.”

How did the ASU visit go?

“I liked it a lot. They are doing a lot of reconstruction on campus. The plans are astounding. They are working on a lot of stuff. Their facilities will be very nice in a couple of years. I like the coaches there. Going to Arkansas State would be nice because it is close to home.”

What about the Harvard visit, how did that go?

“As you know, it is Harvard. All the history there… it was wonderful. I was amazed the entire time. The buildings, seeing the city and campus, and going across the river to Boston – I really liked it. I enjoyed the opportunity to see the school and visiting Boston.”

When you’ve talked to different college coaches, what are they telling you they like about your game?

“They like how I throw it and my quick release. They like my ability to move in the pocket and keep my eyes downfield.”

When do the Hornets start spring ball?

“We start on Monday.”

How is the team looking this spring?

“We are looking good. We have some freshmen that will be able to help us. There are a couple of standout freshmen coming up. Our upperclassmen are seasoned. This will be our third year with our defensive coordinator and our second with offensive coordinator. We have three years now with our head coach. That continuity helps. I think we will come together for another great season. We’ve been working hard to make it happen.”

What does the team have to do now to ensure another great season in 2018?

“I think we’re moving along doing what we are supposed to be doing. We’ve attacked weight lifting and drills since January. We have to get after it and keep competing. My sophomore year, my first year at Bryant, the school had never been to the semi-finals. We made it to the semifinals last two years. I think we are ready to close that gap and compete for a state championship this year.”

Ren, thanks for your time today and good luck with spring practices.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Hefley family; Ren Hefley at Arkansas State and Harvard