Interview: 2022 Arizona WR Aidan Garcia Ready to Showcase Skills to College Coaches
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Injuries are an unfortunate part of football, and the only reason Aidan Garcia is not on recruiting boards up and down the west coast. The 6-3, 180-pound, receiver has all the tools, the hands, speed, and technique. The breakout season for the Class of 2022 target was supposed to happen with Higley during the 2020 season, but statistically it will have to wait for this fall. But showcasing the skills to next level coaches, that is about to happen this summer at college camps.
In a second spin in the RNG Lab, Garcia updates us on his offseason workouts, track season, and upcoming college camp circuit.
*Click link for RNG video interview with Aidan Garcia
Interview
Aidan, we mixed it up last back in February. Since then, how have your workouts gone overall this spring?
They have gone really well. I have been working a lot on my speed. The focus is on my top end speed to create more separation, getting out of my breaks faster, and making my routes crisper. I have been working on my speed a lot and on getting as much technique down as possible. I am fixing my weaknesses to make me an all-around receiver.
As mentioned, speed is such a big part of your game as a receiver. What are some of the exercises and drills that you’ve been doing to increase your speed?
Of course, running track, that has been a lot of it. I have been working out doing hip mobility exercises to loosen up my hips and to open up my stride even more. My stride is long, but I am getting an even longer stride. The difference is how quickly I am cycling my legs. Before, I was not as fast because I was not cycling my legs fast enough. Now I have long fast steps.
And for your flexibility and agility, what have you been doing to help along with your hip stretching routine?
I try to stretch at least once a day to get in there and to roll out. Even with football, we do yoga once a week; that helps. I am doing hip openers, fire hydrants – I do as much as I can with the time that I have.
What style of offense will the Knights run during the 2021 season?
A Spread with a lot of movement and a lot of passing.
Which routes will you be running within the scheme?
Almost all of them. I will be running all the routes on the route tree plus a few more. My coaches are working me in at slot and on the outside. They are working me everywhere. If someone goes down, I can fill in everywhere.
How have you worked to improved your overall technique this spring?
I spend a lot of time with my receiver coaches; I have two. With them, I am always working on route running. They have me going one on one with college level defensive backs. Going against them, I am learning from my mistakes. If I mess a route up, I learn from what I have done wrong. It helps going up against higher level kids. It allows me see where I am at with them.
That begs the question, how have you done going against college defensive backs during your workouts?
I am almost there in my opinion. I win a lot of the reps against them. They can be more physical than I am used to. They are more physical than high school defensive backs, but that makes me better and it helps me know if I beat the college guys then I can beat the high school corners every time.
You just mentioned track, which events did you compete in this year?
I ran the 200, 400, and 4×4.
What was your top time in the 400?
A 52.75.
Did qualify for state this year?
Yes, we qualified for state in the 4×4.
Where did you guys finish during season in the 4×4?
In our division, third overall and 16th overall in state.
Are you getting any 7v7 action in between track, receiver training, and school workouts?
I am getting some 7v7 action, but not much at Higley. I tried to get in as much as I could.
Have you gone to any football camps this spring?
Yes, I competed at the Under Armour All-American Camp in Arizona. I plan on going to the UNLV camp coming up.
Which programs will be at the UNLV camp?
Washington, Washington State, Utah, Arizona State, and Northern Arizona.
Very cool. Are there any other college camps you may attend this summer?
I am trying to get into Washington.
If you will, update me on the schools showing interest?
I have talked to a few D-II schools. Today I talked to South Dakota School of Mines. Black Hills in South Dakota and Western Colorado in Gunnison have also reached out. All the schools want to see my film. I know the Memphis and Washington coaches have my information; same thing, they want to see my film.
Aidan, keep up the hard work. The big push on recruiting is around the corner.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Garcia family; Aidan Garcia