Interview: 3-Star 2019 QB JP Andrade is Already Shredding California Competition

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

There is an old saying in football… looking in mid-season form. The expression is to imply that by mid-season football teams are playing at their best, nearing the peak if possible. After two games into the 2018 season, if JP Andrade is not already in mid-season form, God bless opposing California secondaries once he gets there.

The hot start to Andrade’s season is no surprise to high school football fans in Southern California. During Andrade’s sophomore season, he threw for 2,985 yards with 25 touchdowns tossed in 10 games played. He had another standout season through 10 games last season tossing for 2,072 yards with 19 more scores going up on the board. But, something seems a little different, and a lot better for Andrade in 2018.

The Bonita High School record holder for most passing yards in a season, single-game passing yards (485), most completed passes in a season (236), and most completed passes in a game (37) appears to be on pace to break his high-marks set. Through two games, the 6-2.5, 196-pound, gunslinger has hit 48 of 67 passes for 759 yards with eight touchdowns. The 72 percent completion percentage is amazing, but equally as important, Andrade has not thrown a pick this season and the Bearcats are 2-0.

In a Recruiting News Guru catch-up interview, I sat down with the La Verne area three-star recruit for an update on his overall game in the pocket with a look at the Bearcats’ early season success.

*Click link for Jan. 23, 2018, RNG interview with JP Andrade

Interview

JP, the Bearcats have jumped out to a 2-0 record with big wins over Arroyo (42-24) and Diamond Bar (62-20). The offense is averaging 52 points per game thus far, what is working allowing you guys to be so productive?

“The coaching. Coach (Steve) Bogan and his offense is the big difference. We all bought in to him and his offense. He is a mastermind with the athletes we have. We have put it all together under Coach Bogan. Coach Bogan is a big factor in our success this season. Our mindset is different – better. We have come together as a team, as a brotherhood.”

You have been drilling the ball throwing darts out there completing 72 percent of your passes, what is clicking for you in the pocket this season aiding in you tearing it up?

“The offensive line – they have been doing a great job. We have a lot of seniors and a lot of returning varsity experience on this team. I am comfortable in the pocket and ripping it. My receivers and I, we’ve been working since the spring. But, I have to give a big credit to the o-line. They are giving me time to make plays downfield. I’m not doing anything special, I am allowed to do what I do best.”

Over the offseason, what did you work on with your technique?

“In the offseason I focused on gaining weight and increasing my speed. I put on 20-25 pounds and increased my speed while doing so. My mechanics was something I worked on as well. My arm path is different now. It is smoother and quicker. I am more efficient with more velocity.”

Where are you seeing the biggest improvements in your game thus far during your senior year?

“My reads are a big improvement. I feel that I am making better and quicker reads. The game is easier for me. Watching film is helping me with my reads. I am seeing better opportunities for the team. My pocket presence is better, and I am doing a better job of keeping my eyes downfield while moving around in the pocket.”

Obviously, you are tight with the receivers, the chemistry is there, how did you guys refine the timing over the summer months and fall camp?

“Aalias Williams and Elijah Maldonado are two good juniors I have out there, and Cade Cadam is a senior. I have been working with these guys for almost two years now, at least two years. We work together on and off the field. We stay after practice to throw and work on our timing. We go over hot reads and checks. That work builds up every day. We talk about our goals and dreams, that helps us build that chemistry needed.”

You may have thought I forgot about your rushing abilities, but I haven’t (JP laughs). You are off to a nice start with two rushing scores while averaging 10 yards per carry, what is working with that part of your game this year?

“I feel like last year I was not respected as a runner. I worked hard in the offseason getting my hip flexors stronger. Teams have been sleeping on my running abilities. I can extend the play now downfield. They will have to respect me more as a runner. That’ll create more plays and opportunities downfield in the passing game.”

Which summer camps did you end up attending?

“I went to the USC Mega Camp, three Ivy League camps, Florida, Texas A&M Commerce’s Mega Camp, UCLA, and an Azusa Pacific camp.”

Wow. That is a lot of camps. Of them all, which was your best camp performance?

“I feel like the Florida camp was my best. There were some great players there; it was an invite only camp. That made me step my game up a lot. It pushed my performance up. My inner dog came out at the Florida camp to get better and showcase my abilities. That was a big stage to compete on and it got me better for the fall.”

Which schools are currently showing interest?

“Cornell – they are showing a lot of interest, Oregon State – Coach Smith, and University of San Diego are the top three right now showing interest in me.”

Which schools have offered you thus far?

“I have an offer from South Alabama and a preferred walk-on offer from Florida.”

Nice. Do you have any fall visits planned?

“I plan to go to Florida for a game, but I am still scheduling it out.”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“I ended my junior year with a 4.0 cumulative GPA.”

Fantastic. Back to some football. Is there an area of your game you feel may get overlooked?

“I feel like the area that gets over looked is the mental aspect. I had a weird release before, but I have worked on that. When coaches saw my old release, it was a turn off. With the mental, I can make the throws and make the plays. I shine in game situations. In these one-on-ones in camps, they can’t see that. In games, I shine over the rest.”

I like that. What personal goals have you set for your senior year?

“My goals are a league championship, a CI championship, and I am praying to God we all stay healthy. Being All-CIF, All-League, and passing for over 5,000 yards with over 40 touchdowns would be nice.”

What are some of the big games coming up on the schedule you and the Bearcats are looking forward to playing?

“I always look at the season week-to-week. I just take it one week at a time. We are not looking ahead. We have Poly (Riverside) this week, now they are the biggest game of the season.”

For those readers out there that may not know you, what type of student-athlete is JP Andrade?

“I am a driven one. I am driven on and off the field and in the classroom. I give 100 percent in the weight room, on the field, and in the classroom. If I get a B on a test, I know I can do better and push myself to do better. I don’t settle for good, I want to be great. I see myself as different because I don’t settle. I don’t see myself being any different than the other high ranked quarterbacks in California just because I go to a smaller school.”

Well said again, JP. Thanks for your time today and good luck on Friday against Poly.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Andrade family; JP Andrade pre-game warmups (2018)