Interview: 2023 QB Pierce Clarkson is Ready to Help St. John Bosco Repeat
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
As sure as the sun will rise, St. John Bosco will have an incredibly talented quarterback on the roster. Braves’ head coach Jason Negro has proven his magical touch grooming quarterbacks with recent talents like Josh Rosen (UCLA), Re-al Mitchell (Iowa State), and DJ Uiagalelei (Clemson) going onto the next level. Uiagalelei just guided Bosco to a 13-1 season with a MaxPreps national championship sitting in the trophy case, and now Class of 2023 dual-threat Pierce Clarkson is ready to help the team repeat.
Clarkson (6-0, 185) spent the 2019 season suiting up against freshmen competition with a late season call-up to the varsity level. His arrival on the gridiron at the varsity level is being highly anticipated with six offers already in hand. To talk about his growth on the field in 2019, offseason workouts, and early recruiting process, Clarkson sat down for a detailed RNG interview.
Interview
Pierce, during the 2019 season you were running the Braves’ offensive set against your peer group, how does the team’s Spread offensive scheme fit your abilities?
“It fits me well. I have the option to run or pass. We run some RPO (run-pass option), that fits my abilities. I like the offense, they have it to fit my abilities.”
No doubt you can make plays and have Houdini stylized escape-ability in the pocket. How else would you describe your play on the field?
“I like getting the ball to my receivers fast so they can make plays. Physically, I like to play the game.”
What do you feel are some of the strengths to your overall game as a quarterback?
“My strengths are reading defenses pre-snap and I have confidence in the throws I am making.”
What have you been working on this offseason?
“This offseason I have been working a lot on my mechanics and the mental part of the game. I am working on the little things so when the season comes, I am tuned up and ready to go.”
During the spring months, what has been your daily routine preparing for the 2020 season?
“No matter what, I am running getting some conditioning in, lifting weights, and throwing.”
You are preparing to step into big shoes left by five-star DJ Uiagalelei. All the physical giftings for you are there, how are you mentally preparing for the season and the high expectations that come with being a quarterback with the Braves?
“I am in my playbook every day, working against different scenarios, and going over where I would go with the ball. I’ve been watching the defenses from last year on film preparing for the season.”
Assuming the college camps happen this summer, are there any you may attend?
“Yes. I will try to go local camps at USC and UCLA, and I may get some out of state camps in for Pac-12 and SEC schools. With the Pac-12, I will try to go to Washington and to visit them as well. With the SEC schools, since Ole Miss offered, I want to go down there to visit with Coach (Lane) Kiffin (head coach) and their staff.”
Which schools are showing interest?
“When I visited LSU in January with Coach Terry, they were talking to me then. They’ve started showing interest, and Washington, they are definitely showing interest.”
How many offers do you have already?
“Six.”
Clarkson’s Offers Sheet (6): Florida Atlantic, Oregon, Oregon State, San Jose State, and Wake Forest
A couple of minutes ago you mentioned visiting LSU, which schools have you visited so far?
“LSU, Oregon State, Washington, Oregon, Texas A&M, and San Jose State.”
How did the LSU visit turn out?
“It was good. I loved seeing their facilities, the field, and how they operate their program.”
And the Washington trip, how did that go?
“It was good. They were straight up with me. I like their coaches. Coach (John) Donovan (OC/QB) and I talked during the visit. I am ready to build relationship with their coaches.”
Last question for you, my virus buster. What have you been doing for fun during the quarantine?
“Really, I have been busy with school, working out, and learning the playbook. When I have time, I hve been playing video games.”
Which ones?
“Madden and Call of Duty.”
Pierce, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your spring workouts.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Clarkson family; Pierce Clarkson at Oregon State and Oregon