Interview: 2022 California QB Lucas Lenhoff is Uncommon in More Ways Than One
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The modern era of football requires all quarterbacks to love slinging the pigskin around the yard and to do so at an elite level. But few, especially at the high school level, understand the balance needed in an offensive scheme to make it all work like a well-oiled machine. That is just one of the many traits that makes Class of 2022 quarterback Lucas Lenhoff uncommon.
Given the opportunity to throw the ball on every play, rest assured about 99 percent of the quarterbacks across the country would sign up for that action. But when opposing defensive coordinators rush two and drop nine, the realization of limited passing lanes and lack of holes in the zone without a ground game becomes a every snap frustration. Throughout the 2019 season, Lenhoff (6-2, 193) did his best living the dream of throwing on every other down picking apart Southern California defenses for 2,718 yards with 18 scores earning All-State and first team All-League honors. But Lenhoff shows how he is truly uncommon wanting a rushing attack to compliment his skills in the pocket.
When the 2020 season gets going for Cathedral High School in early January, Lenhoff will see his dreams come to fruition executing an offense that trusts in his talents guiding a squad with his arm but also supported by a strong run game forcing defensive coordinators to pack the box again. After seeing nine in coverage a year ago, scanning for the open receiver through even seven defensive backs will seem like a breeze.
In an RNG first-look interview, Lenhoff meets up in the Lab giving detail to his sophomore season, offseason workouts, and expanding recruiting process.
Interview
Lucas, your sophomore season was a big one in more ways than one. As you were compiling the stats and throwing the touchdown passes, what were some of the things you learned from all that experience that has helped make you a better quarterback?
I think with everything that happened last year it gave me an opportunity to get better overall at a high level. As the season went on, we played against a lot of tough teams, that has prepared me. My footwork and mechanics got better, but I still have to work on it all. The season did not turn out exactly the way we wanted but I am excited about the upcoming season. We have a great coaching staff and great players.
What style of offense were you running with the Phantoms last season?
Last year we ran a Spread/West Coast offense. We threw about 80 to 90 percent of the time. This year we will be more balanced. Last year I never went under center and we only ran the ball four to five times a game.
Because we passed the ball so much last year, I was only seeing two defensive ends; they were dropping the defensive tackles. There were putting nine in coverage against us. With us throwing as much as we did, that gave me an opportunity to excel. I love throwing the ball, but it is great that we will have a run game this season.
You had the vertical passes down, what were some of the other routes you were throwing to within the scheme?
We threw a lot of deep balls last year. That was the big part of our offense, the home run ball. We did not do a lot of underneath routes. I think I excel in reading coverages and with the mental aspect of the game. The deep balls, that is what we did last year. Now I understand more of the game. We were seeing a lot of crazy coverages and a lot of defenders back there. Seeing that will help me this year. I won’t see the crazy defenses, I will be seeing an ordinary defense. We will excel this season.
Entering into the offseason, what was the focus of your workouts from a technical standpoint as a quarterback?
Getting faster and being focused on my mechanics in general. I work out twice a day, once with Fast Houston and my QB coach, and with my offensive coordinator from Cathedral. I have been going twice a day every day for four months or longer. They are great coaches and great people. They’ve helped me become a better leader and helping me learn more of the game. If I focus on my game it will come. With the work put in on my footwork and arm motion, I am very excited for this year.
How have you worked to expand your football IQ this offseason?
I have watched film every day. We did not watch a lot of film together last year, this year I have watched hours of film with my offensive coordinator. I have been taking mental reps as we watch film and I am going over the game. The mental reps, the arm motion, getting the ball out, my drops, and making sure everything is on par and looking good.
Where are you already seeing the improvements in your game during this extended offseason?
My body has changed in the past couple of months, my height and I am stronger this year. I have worked with coach Don Johnson; my throwing motion has improved and I am getting rid of it faster and sooner. Reading coverages has improved and my speed is up along with my mobility. I am getting out of the pocket and extending plays.
You touched on this a minute ago. Going a little deeper, what style of offense will you be executing this season?
As mentioned, it is more balanced. I go under center but we also do a lot of no-huddle. We have the same vibe as last year but it is more balanced. We have double-tight formations and a lot of different looks. You never know what offense you will run in college with coaching changes, running this offense will help me in college. I am excited to expand what I can do in the game.
What have you been doing to keep chemistry with your receiving corps this summer?
I throw every day with my receivers. It has been great. Our vibe is different, we are playing as a team. We were more individuals last year, which maybe is a reason we did not do as well. The culture is different on our team. Fast LA, our 7v7 team, we just have a great time out there. As a team we are getting better. The new kids coming in our good. The understanding of the game has helped.
What is the practice schedule or the fall camp layout for the Phantoms?
We are practicing three days a week. With the virus, it is weird. The use of balls is limited and we are social distancing, but we’ve been practicing. As soon as we can get in pads and in the weight room, we will be in there.
Going into recruiting now. I know a couple of schools have offered, which ones?
Florida Atlantic and Mount Union.
Nice. And which schools are showing interest?
I have been in contact with Northwestern, Columbia, Harvard, Dartmouth, Princeton, Nevada, Louisville, Baylor, Texas, LSU, and Rice.
Going back to around this time last season up until they shut the campuses down in March, did you get to take any unofficial visits during that time?
Yes, I went to a Junior Day at Texas. I had a great time.
What did you see and do during the visit?
I went with a bunch of my Fast Houston teammates. They showed a bunch of love to us, it was great. I love the campus. The visit was a lot of fun. I also went to Tulane the week before the virus shut everything down.
This summer did you get to take any virtual visits?
A couple of schools like San Diego State and San Jose State reached out to take a virtual visit but I either had a 7v7 tournament or a workout already scheduled.
Do you have any in-person visits planned or any virtual visits coming up?
The week that schools were shut down I was supposed to visit LSU. With my 7v7 team, we were going there and we were going to Rice and SMU. I’d love to visit all the Ivy League schools. Academics is important to me; football does not last forever. I plan on visiting all the Ivies, LSU, and definitely Rice.
Lucas, I appreciate your time today and wish you success with the rest of your offseason workouts.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Lenhoff family; Lucas Lenhoff
Photo credit: John Galby/ Lenhoff family; Lucas Lenhoff