Interview: 2021 California SS/OLB Jason Boyle is Cracking Helmets for Mission Hills

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The biggest, fastest, nor strongest always rule the gridiron when it comes to winning one-on-one matchups. Sometimes the guys you might overlook bring the most pain to the field with their style of play – Class of 2021 strong safety Jason Boyle is one of those guys.

“Bringing the Pain” or “No Fear”, or better yet “Bringing the Pain with No Fear” – any of the phrases can sum up the play of Boyle on the field during his sophomore season for Mission Hills High School (2-3). At 6-0, 195-pounds, he does not care if you are his size or a 6-5, 300-pound, lineman, he is going to hit you and hit you hard without thinking twice about it. His play on defense at safety and outside linebacker has led to him being a short-yardage back toting the ball 19 times for 49 hard yards to keep drives alive. On defense, he is one of the team leaders with 45 total stops, 25 solo, while breaking up two passes with one tackle for a loss in five games played.

With the Grizzlies about to enter the thick of their Division-I Avocado League run, I sat down with the emerging defender for an update interview gaining insight on his growing talents on the field.

Interview

Jason, you have come up through the ranks as that all-purpose kind of athlete. That is not easy to sustain at the California varsity level in Division-I, where all are you lining up this year?

“I am lining up at safety, a lot at outside linebacker, and on offense at running back and sometimes in the slot.”

You and McKyle So’oto, two sophomores, are neck and neck for the Grizzlies in total tackles through five games this season. What all are you doing well as a defender this year to make such a big impact?

“I am reading my keys. I am doing my job and doing my assignments.”

On offense, it looks like you are the short-yardage down back. One can see you take that role seriously and lower the head and bowl jokers out of your way. What is your mentality with the ball in your hands?

“My mentality is to not go down. Run forward with high knees and through the defenders to get the first down.”

You guys started the season out playing three very good teams in Paramount, Westlake, and Chaminade more than holding your own.  Now the team is on a two-game winning streak after whipping up on Carlsbad and Ramona. What all is working well for you guys during the winning streak?

“We have switched it up at quarterback. Instead of airing it out we are throwing shorter routes, that has made a big impact. Our defense has been doing well, even in the three losses our defense has been outstanding.”

The Grizzlies are on a bye this week, what has been the plan? Rest up and get ready for the stretch run or focus in and tighten up on the small things?

“All of it. We are focused on all the small things and getting ready for the stretch run with Oceanside when we get back. Their quarterback and running back are good. We are getting ready for their two play-makers.”

As mentioned, you get Oceanside on Sept. 28, what kind of game are you expecting from their offense?

“I am expecting sweeps to the outside to stretch us out so the QB can scramble. He is fast and he is a play-maker.”

What are some of the other marquee games left on the schedule for you and the Grizzlies?

“La Costa Canyon and Torey Pines.”

With recruiting, which schools are showing interest in you?

“I am receiving a lot of interest from Washington State. BYU, Arizona, and Colorado are also showing interest.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“Yes. Over the summer and during the offseason I went to UCLA, USC, Texas A&M, Tennessee, and Arizona State.”

Do you have any planned visits upcoming?

“Not during the season but in the offseason, I am planning on taking one to Arizona State.”

When your sophomore season has concluded, what all are hoping to have accomplished?

“I want to have the most tackles on our team and be top 10 in county. I want to make All-CIF and All-League as well.”

Jason, great catching up with you today. Good luck on Sept. 28 against Oceanside.

“Thank you.”

 

Photo credit: Boyle family; Jason Boyle at USC (summer 2018)