Interview: 3-Star 2019 Texas QB Chase Griffin Gives Insight to UCLA Commitment

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The Thursday pairing of UCLA with Class of 2019 quarterback Chase Griffin was years in the making, and beyond the knowledge of either the program nor the prolific gunslinger. Griffin grew up in the Los Angeles area, and was even born in a UCLA hospital, but cut his teeth in the high school ranks at Hutto in Texas. Kelly earned his national reputation as an offensive genius bringing Oregon to prominence as offensive coordinator (2008-12), a Pac-12 Conference foe of the Bruins, before three seasons in the NFL. Now the journey for both convene in Westwood with conference and national title hopes in mind.

Griffin shot up recruiting boards after a sophomore season complete with 3,056 yards passing and 31 touchdowns tossed. He took his game to another level in 2017 throwing for 4,145 yards with 40 scores ending the year as the top passing quarterback in Texas 6A/5A.

With a GPA at 4.7 and off the chart standardized test scores, Griffin quickly caught Ivy League attention with Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Yale, and Dartmouth among the programs to extend an offer. When the twelfth offer was dropped by UCLA after a camp on Thursday, that sealed the recruiting deal for the three-star talent.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive, I sat down with Griffin after his Friday announcement of his comment for insight on how it all went down.

*Click link for April 11, 2018, RNG interview with Chase Griffin

Interview

How did the relationship with UCLA start to form?

“I have to thank Coach Dilfer and Coach Roberts (Elite11) for that. They speak to Coach Kelly on a regular basis, they recommended me to him. Coach Kelly watched my film and liked it. He contacted me about coming out to their camp to throw for them in person.

“I had met Coach (Dana) Bible (quarterbacks) before at another camp. Then, Coach Bible spoke to all of us about the NFL. I still have my notes from that camp, that was when I was 12. The things he said resonated with me. To work with him at this camp, and for the next four years, it is a blessing.”

How did the camp play out for you?

“I threw about 20 balls with Coach Bible. After the camp, I took a little visit with Coach Bible. He talked about expectations for Bruins’ players. Then, my father and I, we spoke with Coach Kelly for about 45 minutes. He asked me about what I wanted to major in, I told him Economics – that was a big part of the conversation. Then it turned into the process that UCLA takes with recruiting and offering quarterbacks. Then he offered me.”

What were your thoughts when Coach Kelly offered you?

“I remember in that moment how excited I was and what a blessing the offer was for me.”

What happened after he offered you?

“After he offered, I took a couple of pictures with the jersey on, then I said I wanted to commit. I knew this was home. I was born in a UCLA hospital and I grew up in Los Angeles, I knew it was time for me to come home.”

What did the coaching staff tell you they liked about your game?

“I spoke to Coach Bible in-depth about this because he is who I will work with the most. One of the things he likes about my game is my anticipation. That is something I take pride in. They like how I throw to receivers before they are open and with their back to me. I have honed-in on that. They like my movement and my ability in short spaces to get quick yards. I’m a guy that can get first downs.”

You obviously threw well during the camp, when you got to throw for them in-person, what were some of the routes you threw to in the 20-toss session?

“I did throw well during the camp. I threw a couple of deep outs each way. I feel like I was ripping to both sides, especially to my right. My best throws were the comebacks and bang eights. I showed my arm on those routes. You have to drive the ball on that route.”

Backtracking a little here, what were your thoughts on the campus and facilities?

“Oh – state of the art. They have the best complex I have ever been in. Magnificent. Amazing.”

You mentioned that after you tried on the jersey and took some photos you knew UCLA was the place for you, when did you have an idea that UCLA was the fit for you?

“When I was first contact by Coach Kelly, his reputation proceeds him as being one of the smartest minds in football. He is a thinking man’s coach. To play for a coach as well-rounded and intelligent as Coach Kelly, I have nothing but respect for him. I like the way he carries himself. I know I can win games and championships in his offense. To fully utilize my abilities, I have to be in a system that maxes my potential, Coach Kelly’s offense does that.

“I also knew from all the coaches on the staff I have talked to and worked with at various camps, that it will be an easy transition from high school to college with a staff I know I can trust.”

When did you commit and which coach did you commit to on the staff?

“I committed around 4:00 p.m. on Thursday and announced this morning.”

What was their reaction when you committed?

“They were ecstatic. I am the first commit in the 2019 class. It is up to me to rally more guys to be Bruins. That is a goal of mine.”

Congratulations on that. You are the cornerstone piece in their 2019 class that they will build around.

“Thank you. It is an honor.”

What are the plans with the rest of your offseason workouts?

“To improve in every way. This is my senior year, I am focused on it. My goal is to win state. I will do whatever I have to do to make myself and my team better. I am working on my speed and my running field vision. I am working on being more consistent in the passing game. I am always working on having better reads and improving my throwing power and accuracy.”

Chase, great catching up with you today. I appreciate your time. Congratulations, again, and good luck on the rest of your offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Griffin family; Chase Griffin at UCLA