Interview: 2021 Defender Jason Boyle Showing Off Skills from Safety to Outside Linebacker
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Those in the San Diego area know good and well about what Class of 2021 talent Jason Boyle brings to the field. On defense, he brings the pain hitting like a 6-4, 250-pound, defensive end, and on offense, well, he does the same thing. Boyle is that thumper on both sides of the ball wired differently than others as a natural football player. Those skills are growing and are on regular display for Mission Hills High School.
Boyle started earning that reputation as a player one does not want to go head-to-head with during his sophomore season coming up with 89 tackles, 50 solo, with a tackle for a loss, four passes broken up, and a pick playing safety. When the Grizzlies needed a hard-nosed runner on goal line or short-yardage plays, the 6-0, 195-pound, athlete stepped up busting loose for 138 yards on 38 totes with three trips into the end zone.
Jump to his junior season, Boyle is still ringing bells on both sides of the ball but has expanded what he brings to the field dropping down into the box playing inside and outside linebacker. Boyle’s toughness shows out as a speed rusher, shedding blocks against the run, and his experience as a safety comes through against the pass.
In an RNG catch-up interview, I sat down with one of California’s rising star defenders covering ground on his season to date.
Interview
Jason, you earned a reputation during your sophomore season for being a hard runner ready to ring some defender’s bells if they get in your way. What is your mindset when you are in the backfield?
“When I am in the backfield, the mindset is going downhill. I don’t like to juke. I am a one-cut and go or run you over kind of back.”
In which ways are you seeing your game grow this season on offense?
“Over the past year, my speed has improved and my yards after contact has improved.”
Your game as a defender grew a lot throughout the 2018 season, what were some of the big areas that you worked on over the offseason?
“Some of the big areas I worked on was my footwork and hand work. I worked on shedding blockers.”
Looks like the coaches have dropped you down into the box this season playing some inside and outside linebacker, how has that been going for you and what all are you asked to do within the scheme?
“I do a lot within the scheme. Against run teams, I can go on the line or drop back. When I see run, I come up as a rush end. At inside linebacker, over the past two games I’ve been more a rush backer, I have been playing at Will and Mike. I’m liking it a lot. I’m getting more contact and around the ball more this season.”
Which game was your best this season?
“So far this season, the Ramona (won 20-14) and Oceanside (won 27-0) games have been my best. Against Ramona, I had three tackles for a loss and a sack. Against Oceanside, I had two sacks and a tackle for a loss.”
What do you feel are the strengths to your game on defense this season?
“My strengths, I can shed blocks and maneuver around people. I am big on reading my keys this year. My linebacker coaches have helped me improve on that. I am reading the guard, tackle, and then the backs – reading that triangle to make plays.”
Which areas of your game are you working on every day in practice?
“I am constantly working on the defensive side of the ball. At running back, that comes naturally. On defense I work on tackling daily.”
Turning to recruiting, which schools are showing interest?
“I am receiving interest from Cal, Utah, Notre Dame, USC, UCLA, San Diego State, Washington State, and Northwestern.”
Have you visited any programs recently?
“Yes. I have taken visits to USC, UCLA, and SDSU.”
How did the USC visit go?
“It went well. I met the coaches, and I liked their defensive scheme. I like the linebackers’ attitude and how the coaches prepare them for each game.”
And UCLA, how did that trip go?
“That visit was a good visit. I like the coaches and staff. I didn’t get to see as much of the campus, but I went down on the field for the game. It was cool.”
The last one, the hometown team. How did your visit with SDSU go?
“I liked it a lot. They had the home town hero thing going. They showed a lot of love when I was there. It was easy to get along with. It felt like home there.”
Are there any more visits coming up?
“There might be a visit to Notre Dame coming up.”
Last question. The Grizzlies have won two in a row and shutout Oceanside last time out. The team gets Torrey Pines (3-3) this Friday. What kind of game are you expecting from the Falcons?
“I have to give them props, they gave it to us last year. I’m expecting the same thing from them, the same kind of effort. It will be a hard-fought game. We will have to leave it all on the field for the win.”
Jason, I enjoyed catching up with you today. Wish you and the Grizzlies luck the rest of the way.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Boyle family; Jason Boyle at San Diego State