Interview: 3-Star 2019 WR Tyler Shimomura is that Do-Everything Playmaker for JSerra Catholic

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The 2018 season is picking up right where Tyler Shimomura left off, but maybe even a little better. The do-everything athlete hauled in 42 passes for 715 yards with eight touchdowns a year ago while contributing one carry for 16 yards and took 11 punts back for 91 yards. Stats for JSerra Catholic’s 2018 season have not been released yet, but Shimomura (5-11, 180) already has a punt return for a touchdown and a pick-six against Calabasas in Week 2 helping his Lions’ squad improve to 2-0 on the year.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the three-star California recruit to learn more about his game, how the 2018 season has started off for JSerra, and got a quick recruiting update.

Interview

Tyler, the Lions are off to a great start with a 2-0 record and the offense appears to be humming averaging 49 points per game this season, what all is clicking for the team on offense so far this season?

“Everything that is clicking, we are coming together as a unit. We are all becoming one big family. Everyone is picking up one another. I feel like our new quarterback (Caden Bell) and running back (Chris Street), they still have a couple of things to learn about the offense, but they are doing very well. Our running game is definitely clicking.”

What has been the progress for the offense from fall camp when all was kind of rusty to Game 2 with the team beating a very good Calabasas squad 49-21?

“A lot of coaching. Coach (Pat) Harlow is hard on us and with big expectations. He is a great coach and we trust him. We have two or three returning starters on the offensive line; they know what to do. The offensive line has led the team early. They pulled together over summer ball and took control of the offense.”

What did you work on with your game during fall camp?

“I had a speed coach I worked with over the summer. I trained almost every day; I did not play baseball this summer. I played 7v7 for Premium and stuck to working out as much as I could. I worked on my route running, worked a lot on technique, getting my hands right, and catching the ball in traffic.”

You lined up all over the place last season, where all are we seeing you on the field during your season campaign?

“Receiver, free safety, and kicker.”

What do you consider the overall strengths of your game at receiver?

“My strengths are knowing what I am doing on each play, being a good route runner, and I feel that I am one of the best at catching the ball I traffic. I don’t take plays off.”

Did you get a chance to showcase your skills at any college camps this summer?

“I did. I went to a UC-Davis camp and an Azusa Pacific (APU) camp.”

Which was you best camp performance?

“I’d say the UC-Davis camp was my best. I had a really good day until the end.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“UC-Davis and APU.”

Back to the 2018 season, the Lions get Bishop Amat next week. I know it is early in the preparation process, but what kind of game are you expecting from them on Friday?

“They held their own against Mater Dei; we are expecting a tough game from them. We know the crowd and intensity will be great there. The best thing we can do preparing offensively is to get going right away there.”

Playing in the Trinity League provides a challenge every week, for those not familiar with the Trinity League, what is it like playing in arguably the toughest high school football conference in the nation?

“I think it can be compared to a D-II college league. If you think about it, last season there were guys in the league like Amon Ra St. Brown (USC) and JT Daniels. Those guys are already playing at USC as true freshmen. You are not playing against weak competition, you are playing against some of the best in the country.”

Which games remaining on the schedule are you hyped to play?

“I am excited to play Pinnacle (AZ) on a Saturday game at 4:30 and OLU (Orange Lutheran). They are a rivalry for me. I have a lot of friends on the team there.”

What are your personal season goals for the season?

“My personal goals are to do the best that I can. I want over a 1,000-yards receiving. I did not know I was going to play as much defense as I am, so I am not sure what goals to set there. I just want to be the best utility guy for the team that I can and help us win games.”

Tyler, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of the season.

“Thank you.”

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Featured photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Tyler Shimomura in the open-field

Photo credit: Raymond Joyce Photography; Tyler Shimomura tackles Johnny Wilson