Interview: 3-Star 2020 OT Jeff Persi Updates Recruiting Ahead of Michigan Visit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The 2018 season turned out to be a great one for JSerra Catholic and Jeff Persi. The Lions had a stacked roster rising up through the national rankings earning an end of season No. 17 positioning after posting a 9-3 campaign against a national schedule and Trinity League competition. Persi, a newcomer, earned a starting spot with the Lions taking on five-, four-, and three-star recruits throughout the year while opening up holes for three-star 2020 running back Chris Street and three-star Class of 2019 quarterback Caden Bell. Persi’s size (6-7, 265), growing talents, and potential have taken college football by storm. The three-star recruit is up to 27 offers coming off visits to Cal, Nebraska, and Stanford with a weekend trip scheduled to Ann Harbor.

In an RNG catch-up Q&A interview, I sat down with Persi covering his offseason workouts and camp performances with a look at his busy recruiting dance card.

*Click link for Nov. 7, 2018, RNG interview with Jeff Persi

Interview

Jeff, the 2018 season was a big one for you on the field. When the season ended, what did you feel were the strengths to your game as an offensive lineman?

“My biggest thing, especially being new and not having the experience, was being aggressive. I played to the whistle and used my strength to my advantage the best I could.”

What have you been focusing on with your pass-pro this spring?

“I am switching over to left tackle for my senior season. I am working on a basic set and my footwork. The main thing is probably being balanced in my set so I can kick and punch freely without shifting weight. Am I am working on being in a solid spot, not on my heels or toes too much.”

What about with your run blocking?

“I am working on staying low, working on my in-steps, and getting my hips through on my block. I am working on not staying too compact for too long and working on getting separation early.”

Which national camps have you attend thus far?

“I have attended the Nike Opening in Los Angeles, Adidas, and the Under Armour All-American Camp.”

How did the Under Armour camp go for you?

“It was alright. Those camps were my first real experience going through that process, especially doing the one-on-ones, and I was playing left tackle at the camps. It was all new to me, but that is not an excuse. The camps were a learning experience. Getting the coaching tips and points on blocking from the camps were good for me.”

Over the last couple of months, you’ve been living the dream on the recruiting trail seemingly receiving a new offer every other day. How many offers do you have now?

“I have 27 offers.”

Nice. Which programs were the last couple to offer you?

“Ole Miss, Auburn, Pitt, and Kansas.”

Jeff Persi’s Offer Sheet (27): Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Boston College, Cal, Colorado, Duke, Indiana, Kansas, Kansas State, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, Northwestern, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh, Purdue, TCU, USC, UCLA, Utah, Utah State, Vanderbilt, Washington, Oregon State and Washington State

With that many offers, it seems hard to believe that there still might be schools showing interest, but which ones are?

“I am talking to Tennessee right now, but that is  pretty much it.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits over the last few weeks or months?

“Yes, sir. I have visited Cal, Nebraska, Stanford, and Northwestern.”

How did the Cal visit go?

“It went well. It was great to meet all the coaches. Coach (Steve) Greatwood (OL), it was great to meet him. I get and like his coaching style.”

What about Nebraska, how did that visit go?

“It went well. It was great talking to Coach (Scott) Frost (head coach) and Coach (Greg) Austin (OL). I saw their facilities on the visit but not much of the school. But I can see what they are doing there going forward.”

And Stanford, how did that go?

“That was a good visit. I got to talk to Coach (Kevin) Careberry (OL) a lot. I saw the campus, it is a beautiful campus, and I saw the facilities. I talked to some of the players, which was cool. I got advice from them and I got to pick their brain about the school.”

Which visits do you have upcoming?

“I am leaving Thursday for Michigan, and then I have Oklahoma, UCLA, and something set up for Washington.”

What has you excited about visiting Michigan?

“Michigan is obviously a great program with a great history. I have been talking to Coach (Ed) Warinner and some of the other coaches on staff, they seem like great guys and coaches. It will be good to talk to them in-person, see everything, and meet Coach (Jim) Harbaugh (head coach). I am excited to see if Michigan is somewhere I like.”

In general, what are the coaches telling you they like about your talents on the field?

“The main thing they like is my aggressiveness and willingness to finish plays. From a body perspective, they like my length and height. They like my potential.”

With the recruiting process, everything is coming at you quickly. But as things move forward what are the key factors to you that will eventually start narrowing your list of contenders down?

“Once I start seeing the rest of the schools, I will figure out which areas are the best for me with the campus and the coaching staff. The biggest thing right now is building the relationship with coaches. When it comes down to it, I will go where I feel most comfortable.”

Jeff, it was great catching up with you today. I wish you success with all your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Persi family; Jeff Persi at Nebraska and Stanford