Interview: 2020 California QB DJ Ralph is in Mid-Season Form During Summer Ball
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Photo credit: Raymond Joyce Photography
Twitter: @RJPSports
Fans of southern California high school football started to take notice of DJ Ralph during the 2017 season. Working with El Camino High School’s junior varsity squad, Ralph showed laser precision with his passes completing 90-of-130 for 1,809 with 20 touchdowns against one interception. The completion percentage would have been a lot higher if not for 28 counted drops. After an offseason transfer to one of San Diego’s best high school football programs, Cathedral Catholic, the 6-3, 193-pound, gunslinger is continuing his trademark accuracy not throwing a pick during summer 7v7 scholastic team tournaments. The play in the pocket this offseason is attracting a lot of next level interest ready to see how the rising talent controls the Dons’ offense in 2018.
In a Recruiting News Guru catch-up interview, I sat down with one of the rising stars in California’s 2020 recruiting class getting an update on his summer workouts and college camp circuit.
*Click link for March 26, 2018, RNG interview with DJ Ralph
Interview
DJ, how are your offseason workouts coming along?
“They are coming along great. The team has bought in this spring. We are going hard every day. We are very serious about the season.”
What have you been focused on with your personal technique this summer?
“Coming into the new offense, which is a different scheme for me, it has been about getting used to the playbook, being under center, dropping back, and getting my drops down. I’ve been working a lot on getting into my position to throw from under center.”
How have spring and summer practices with the Dons gone?
“They have gone great. The whole team has been there. Everyone is working hard, and the coaches are doing a great job. We are all coming along.”
The Dons played at the Edison High School 7v7 tournament this past weekend, how did that go for you?
“It went well. Our coaches wanted us to go out there and compete; the outcome did not matter. We went out there and competed against Orange Lutheran, Narbonne, and Mission Viejo, some of the top teams in southern California. We wanted to show that we can compete with top teams outside of San Diego.”
How well did you perform?
“I kept my streak this summer without throwing an interception and continued to build chemistry with my receivers.”
Nice. Have you competed at any college camps this summer?
“I competed at an Azusa Pacific camp, the second weekend, and at the USC Rising Stars Camp.”
How did the USC camp go?
“It was great. Working with some of the top quarterbacks in the region was awesome. It was great to prove myself in front of about 50 college coaches – that was great. I got my name out there.”
What about Azusa Pacific, how did that go?
“It was great. I had some of the Cathedral guys go with me. At the APU camp, we had more one-on-one time with the college coaches. I got to work with UCLA quarterback coach, Coach (Dana) Bible. That was awesome.”
Do you have any upcoming camps on the schedule or are you finished for the summer?
“I think I am done for the summer. I am focused on the offseason now getting ready for the regular season.”
Last time we spoke, you were receiving interest from all over – Notre Dame, Washington, USC, Boise State, Arizona, Utah, and the list goes on. Which new schools are showing interest?
“After the APU and USC camps, Nebraska has started showing interest, UCLA, and Utah State has been showing a lot of interest. Illinois has been showing interest as well.”
Do you have any planned unofficial visits for the summer or this fall yet?
“I will during the season, but I have none planned right now. We will more than likely go to Washington during the season, I’m just not sure when.”
Back to football. Are there any games on the 2018 schedule you are already hyped to play?
“Serra (Gardena). I am ready to play against one of the best teams in southern California. We have a rivalry with Helix, I am looking forward to that one as well.”
Last question. What goals have you set for yourself for the 2018 campaign?
“For me, we are so talented at receiver and we have one of the best running backs in San Diego, my goal is to not to do too much. If I get the ball to my guys, great things will happen. I don’t want to overdo it this season.”
DJ, always great catching up with you. Thanks for your time today.
“Thank you.”
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