Interview: 2020 DE/OL John Collier is the All-Purpose Player Helping West Ranch Win Games
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Most high achieving high school football teams are lucky to have 50 to 60 players on the roster year in and year out, if that. Teams do not win without there best athletes stepping up and getting outside their comfort zone taking on a new challenge proving to the world and themselves the personal fortitude they have deep down inside. For West Ranch High School, safe to say the Wildcats would not have posted a 9-3 campaign in 2018 without John Collier playing iron man football stepping firmly into various roles he might not have done otherwise.
The Wildcats were not without playmakers on offense led by senior quarterback Weston Eget and fellow play-making senior athletes Jovan and Ryan Camacho. When Eget dropped back or either one of the Camachos toted the pigskin, Collier was lining up as an undersized tackle keeping Eget’s backside clean while allowing the running backs to trounce Division VI California competition. Even though Collier is not currently sized to be a collegiate offensive lineman despite earning All-Santa Clarita Valley and All-CIF honors, he does have the frame for a tight end or perhaps a defensive end/linebacker. College coaches got a glimpse of the 6-3, 200-pound, rising defender during his junior season as a defender. Playing more towards the end of the schedule due to an injury, Collier stepped up with 32 tackles, 27 solo, two tackles for a loss, and one fumble recovery for a touchdown making an impact as an end.
With a big offseason filled with national camps and combines ahead of what is sure to be an even busier college camp circuit, I sat down with the Valencia area product covering the 2018 season and his offseason workouts.
Interview
John, you were all over the field for West Ranch and on both sides of the ball last season. I have you playing left tackle on offense, linebacker and defensive end on defense, am I missing a spot?
“No, that’s all of them.”
What was the weekly game preparation like for you with all your responsibilities?
“My preparation was making sure I knew what to do, making sure I did not mess up during the game. I did a lot of film study. I watched film every night for at least an hour. I would watch the guys I was going against and see what they do play after play.”
Of all the positions played, which do you like the best?
“Defensive end.”
Where all might we see you on the field during your senior year?
“Left tackle and linebacker most likely.”
I have to ask about the 50-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Most defenders do not get something like that, walk me through that play if you will?
“That was on a screen pass, Jovan Camacho stripped him and I picked it up and ran for the touchdown. That was my dream. It was too easy.”
Yeah. You had a straight line and took off like a running back. At linebacker, how did your game improve throughout the 2018 season?
“It improved with practice over the summer. I did not play that much linebacker until we had an injury. Then, I did what I had to do. As the season went on I was reading the linemen better, seeing their steps to see run or pass, and getting off blocks better.”
What about as an offensive lineman?
“I figured out more of their moves and figured out how to counter their moves. We worked on steps a lot. I would go through all of them a lot to work on it for perfection.”
What are you working on with your game overall this spring?
“I am working on strength, gaining weight and my footwork.”
Have you competed at any camps this offseason yet?
“Yes. I competed at the Adidas Three-Stripe Camp and and Pro Hall of Fame Camp.”
How have the camps gone?
“Pretty well. I held my own against the big guys.”
Which position did you compete at with both camps?
“Defensive end.”
Do you have any upcoming national camps you may attend?
“Yes. I am planning on competing at the Nike Opening in Oakland and the U.S.A. National Camp.”
John, I appreciate your time today and wish you success at the upcoming camps.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Collier family; No. 51 John Collier