Interview: 2020 QB Hugh Brady Continuing Outstanding Hawaii Lineage of Play in the Pocket

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The movement of top high school players coming out of Hawaii taking over the collegiate ranks is real and for just cause, there are so many fantastic talents roaming the gridirons in paradise. The talents of quarterbacks coming out of Hawaii is now well-documented and continues thanks to highly motivated players like Punahou Class of 2020 rising star Hugh Brady.

Brady got one start during his sophomore season leading to a breakout junior campaign this year. The 6-3, 200-pound, gunslinger is tops in Hawaii in passing yards (2,300) and touchdowns tossed (26) through 10 games with another big game upcoming, a divisional playoff game against No. 13 nationally ranked St. Louis for the right to go to the state title game. The Buff n’ Blue slugged it out with St. Louis in September giving the powerhouse team their only real scare of the season, a seven-point margin of victory.

With a national stage to showcase his abilities in the pocket, even more college programs will have a chance to see Brady in action against top level competition. Teams already showing interest range across the mainland from Dartmouth and Boston College to teams like Colorado and Nevada; more interest and offers are soon to follow.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Brady covering his sensational season thus far with the Buff n’ Blue with a preview of the St. Louis playoff showdown.

Interview

Hugh, the offense has been blowing the doors off teams this season averaging 36 points per game. What is working so well for the offense this season?

“I think it is our chemistry between the receivers and our running backs that is allowing us to be so productive. Our offensive line has done a great job of giving me time. We have been playing against top teams in-state this season forcing us to have that next play mentality. We are focused on task at hand and move onto the next play. Our coaches have been putting together great game plans each week and we are executing them well. This has been a great season for our offense.”

What style of offense are the Buff n’ Blue running?

“Spread – run and shoot. When I watch certain colleges like UH (Hawaii), there are a lot of similarities to our offense, Cal’s offense as well. One of our coaches coached at Cal. We like to hit the short horizontal passes that sets up our vertical game. We have a great running game as well. I think our offense is the best in the state right now.”

How does your skillset fit the offense?

“It fits, I am the captain out there. I know everything that is going on. We have a passing offense more than a dual-threat offense. We call a lot of passes, and we throw a lot in each game. I don’t get mentality fatigued in games. I do not get distracted. My skillset is perfect for the offense. I can run RPO and get yards downfield if needed or drop back and pass.”

What are the strengths of your game as a quarterback?

“My strengths are my abilities to go through reads and find the open guy. I also think another strength is my movement in pocket to extend plays. This past game, I was the leading rusher in divisional semifinal. I am very accurate with my passes and have a strong arm, I do not underthrow guys. Accuracy is important to me.”

What is your weekly preparation like for a game?

“We normally have weight room sessions on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. We practice throughout the week and do a walk-through on Thursday. I watch film at least an hour a day preparing for that week’s opponent.”

What are you watching for when you look over the film of your opponents?

“I am watching tendencies on defense and getting mentally prepared for what I will see in the games. Then, I get with my coaches on the game plan so I am going out confident and executing in the games.”

You guys just upended Kamehameha Kapalama 35-0, how did the game go for you personally?

“I thought it was a good game. Our defense did a great job shutting them down. We put up 28 in the first half, that was nice. I thought I had good stats. We were up for the mercy rule, I came out then. I had a poised game. It was a good ahead of the biggest game of our season.”

Speaking of, the team gets another showdown against St. Louis, the No. 13 ranked team in the country, on Saturday. What kind of game are you expecting in this rematch?

“I am expecting a hard-fought game. It will be our best 11 verses their best 11. I think our best 11 is better than theirs. It will be a close game. I think it will be the game of the year. It will come down to execution, who can convert plays, and who can take advantage of opportunities presented.”

When you guys faced St. Louis on Sept. 15, it was a thrilling game for the fans (35-28), how did that game go for you personally?

“There were a lot of good things for me in that game and a lot of work I needed to do after it. Coming out of it, I thought there were more positives than negatives. It built my confidence. I think they were No. 8 in the nation then. My mindset was to learn from my mistakes and get better. Our main goal is to get the “W.”

Going into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest in you?

“Hawaii, I’ve been talking to the QB coach for a while. I went to their game against Nevada on Saturday, I went on the field for their warmups and I got to talk face-to-face with the coaches. That was great. I have a few Ivy Leagues schools showing interest in me. Dartmouth, Nevada, Boston College, and Colorado have been in contact with me.”

You mentioned the Hawaii visit, how did it go and what all did you do?

“We had field passes for the game. We went on the field for the warmups, there were a bunch of other recruits there. I got to talk to the QB coach for five or 10 minutes. He told me to keep up the good work and keep in contact with him. Then we went up in the stands afterwards for the game. It was nice to meet him in person and get the direct communication in over text messages.”

Hugh, I appreciate your time today. Good luck against St. Louis.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: ScoringLive; No. 14 Hugh Brady riffles a pass