Interview: 24-Offer 4-Star 2022 QB AJ Duffy is a Natural in the Pocket
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
It is hard to call a sophomore high school football player a grizzled varsity veteran, but that is the case with dual-threat quarterback AJ Duffy. Duffy took the reigns of Rancho Verde High School’s offense in 2018 as a freshman proving to be a natural all-around talent with expertise in putting wins up on the board.
Expectations for a high school team starting a freshman quarterback tend to be low if for no other reason lack of experience against the strength, knowledge, and speed of varsity players; that notion was lost on Duffy. Duffy hit the 2018 season with all guns blazing ripping Division II California defenses for 2,984 yards and 40 touchdowns while rushing for 316 with four trips into the end zone. The fantastic stat line was not obscured by a forgotten season seeing the Mustangs roll to a 13-1 record.
The 2019 season was more of the same for the 6-1, 205-pound, gunslinger and his team. The Mustangs were once again one of the feared teams in their division posting an 11-1 run while their four-star talent picked apart squads hitting 185 of 261 passes for 2,568 yards with 29 touchdowns tossed and covered 501 yards on the ground with four more scores posted on the board. Entering the offseason, Duffy has not grown complacent in his quest to perfect his game.
The physical and mental giftings coupled with upside has brought about 24 college scholarship offers for Duffy. To talk about his skills and recruiting, I sat down with Duffy for an in-depth conversation.
Interview
AJ, during the 2019 season it appeared that defensive coordinators were trying to do different things to throw you off your game, but you were still able to burn them. How did you prepare during the week for any given game to help exploit defenses?
“This year, I’d say the defense we saw a lot was a 4-3 with a Cover 2, but they’d change their defense around. We’d watch film to see tendencies on defense, but they’d switch it up playing against us. We had conversion routes we’d run. As long as my receivers and I are on the same page we had no problems.”
You mentioned Cover 2, what were some of the other coverages you were facing last season?
“Halfway through the season our run game took off, then we saw Cover 1 and Cover 3. We were hitting verts and man beaters against them.”
When you want to unleash a rope with heat you have that gun for an arm. How have you developed your arm strength over the years?
“I played baseball growing up; I was a pitcher. I have a naturally strong arm and lifting helps. But it is not all arm. You have to connect with the lower body and core work too.”
Another big part of your game is your footspeed. How fast are you?
“I ran a laser 4.84 at the Under Armour Camp. That was one of my first times running a 40. If I learned to run it, I would get faster.”
Putting all the talents you displayed last season with an understanding of the game, arm strength, and dual-threat abilities, how do you feel your overall game improved in 2019?
“I feel like it improved a lot from my freshman year. My play and leadership improved a lot. As a freshman, it was hard to lead, but I earned their respect over time. It is only up from here.”
Is there an area to your game that might get overlooked?
“I don’t know. I can run a little; I think you are spot on.”
Will there be any changes in the Mustangs offense this season that you are preparing for now?
“A little bit. We will go some five-wide. We have athletes to spread the ball around to this year. We will have different ways to get our play-makers going.”
Since the season ended, what have you been working on with your technique and mechanics?
“A lot of footwork, getting bigger in the weight room, accuracy, and I have been watching a lot of film. I have been looking at last year to see where I messed up and how I can improve.”
This summer, are there any college camps you may compete at if that option is open?
“I want to go to USC and UCLA. I have a USC offer; it is good to get coached by them. I want a UCLA offer; I want to compete there and do well to earn that offer.”
Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
“UCLA, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama – quite a few schools. A lot of the schools wanted to come out to see me throw but they couldn’t this spring because of the Coronavirus.”
A truckload of offers has been dropped for you so far. How many are you holding?
“Twenty-four. I got UNLV last week.”
Duffy’s Offer Sheet: Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Boston College, BYU, Colorado State, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Michigan State, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, Oregon State, Penn State, Rutgers, USC, UNLV, Utah, Utah State, and Washington State
Going back a few months, have you had a chance to visit any programs?
“Yes, I went to USC for a Junior Day. That was fun.”
Looking ahead, are there any planned visits coming up?
“USC, UCLA, and I will try to get to most of the Pac-12 schools that are recruiting me the hardest. The Florida schools, Florida, Florida State, and Miami; I like it out there. Penn State too. As many visits as my dad will let me take.”
This next question I have been calling my virus buster question. What have you been doing for fun this spring to keep yourself entertained?
“Besides working out, I have been playing video games, playing with my little sisters, and resting. I have been working out a lot.”
This is also a reoccurring question, which video game(s) have you been playing?
“Fortnight, 2K, and Madden; those are my top three right now.”
AJ, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your workouts this spring until we talk again.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Press Enterprise; No. 10 AJ Duffy in action