Interview: 2020 Fresno DE Jaylen Tate is Focused on Big Season with Central
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
After years covering high school football, it is easy to tell when players have that sense of urgency to their game. That drive in competition more times than not comes around when players hit their senior season. For Fresno Central High School (3-0) defensive end Jaylen Tate, he knows the time is now on the gridiron. The 6-1, 235-pound, defender put extra work into his game over the offseason in spring ball and various camps and combines with the goal of hitting the field in 2019 better than the year before. Two games into the Grizzlies’ season, Tate had recorded four sacks and three solo stops.
In an RNG catch-up interview, I got a few minutes with Tate before Central took the field on Friday against Whitney (won 45-16) going over his summer workouts and the start to his senior season.
*Click link for May 2, 2019, RNG interview with Jaylen Tate
Interview
James, when we last spoke you were going into your summer workouts. Which areas of your game did you focus on over the summer?
“I focused on working on my bench press, my squatting, deadlifts, and cleans. With my technique, I was working on my footwork, my get-off, hand-placement, and my rip.”
The Grizzlies are a couple games into the season now, where are you seeing the biggest improvements in your game?
“The biggest improvements are mostly in using my technique better. I am getting off with my right foot and staying low.”
In which ways are you attacking opposing offenses within the Grizzlies’ defensive schemes?
“When we run base, I am going through the B game, then I am on the outside at defensive end.”
Did you go to any college camps this summer to work on the skills?
“Yes. I went to a Sac (Sacramento) State camp.”
Tell me about that camp performance.
“That went pretty good. Coach (Kraig) Paulson (DL) told me to come down there for the camp. I did well in one-on-ones; I dominated all of them.”
Back to the season. Looking over the team’s schedule, you guys have some big games coming up. Which ones are you hyped to play?
“I am hyped to play Buchannan. They have a good offense and a good defense. That will be good competition for us on Friday.”
What goals have you set for yourself for both on and off the field during your senior year?
“I want to keep my GPA at a 3.5 and I want 15 sacks this season.”
Jaylen, great catching up with you today. Good luck to you and the Grizzlies the rest of the way.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Tate family; Jaylen Tate at Sac State