Interview: 3-Star 2021 Arizona QB William Haskell is a Silent Verbal Commit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Running a successful Spread offense layered with run-pass option plays not only takes a student of the game but also requires an athletic quarterback capable of making teams pay with his arm and his legs. When ran correctly, the Spread can rip the best of defenses apart with the versatility of the attack. Out of Ironwood High School in Arizona, three-star dual-threat William Haskell is perfecting his game to be that guy for the Eagles and at the next level.

Over the last two seasons, Haskell has improved upon his craft in the pocket against 5A Arizona squads ending his junior season earning second team All-Region honors. The work of the 6-4, 208-pound, field general produced 1,401 passing yards with 20 touchdowns off 101 completions and 965 yards on the ground with 14 trips into the end zone off 106 totes. Haskell put the Eagles’ offense on his back aiding in a 6-5 run for the Glendale area squad. Six offers are on the table for Haskell, but his recruiting process is done already behind closed doors.

In an RNG exclusive interview, Haskell talks about his skills on the field cluing us in on his silent commitment.

Interview

Will, you ate up 5A Arizona defenses last season with your arm and your legs. In your own words, how did the 2019 season go for you?

“It was a little different. I’ve had the opportunity of being a varsity starter since my freshman year. How I play the game and how I am learning the game, it is showing me how I am freak athlete and a great player in my point of view. I went through my fourth coach at that point in time last season. It was his first year being a head coach; he (Chris Rizzo) was a linebackers’ coach the year before.

“We had a connection from the beginning. He was showing me the right way to lift and everything. Coach Rizzo and I had that chemistry and bond. He made that promise to make me a great athlete and player, and a great person, father, husband, and son.

“Learning from him, it really made me think about trusting my coach and believing in him. Everything he has done for me, breaking down defenses and going over film, has showed me how I can go further in life and with football. From the first game of the season, I was 100 times better running and passing the ball. Seeing how much time went into our offseason workouts, showing up at 6:00 a.m. and working to 8:00 p.m. doing three practices a day and two weight lifting sessions, getting on the same page with the offense in the offseason, all that he invested in me, it was one of the things that showed me that I am capable of being a next level player.”

What style of offense were you running with the Eagles?

“Last season, it was complicated. We were more a 50-50 run-pass offense. The running game was a zone read but incorporated the quarterback. The overall approach was a West Coast offense.”

How does the offense fit your skillset?

“For me, when I was growing up I wanted to be a receiver or a running back. My first season playing football, our coach needed a quarterback. I tried it, and since then I have put 100 percent of my time in at quarterback.

“I want to be known as a pocket passer. The stereotypical black QB is a run threat, not so much a passer. What set me different from the stereotypes, I am a phenomenal passer, but I can also run the ball really well. I am more that dual-threat killing with you with my arms and legs. Our offense will benefit me well helping me get to the next level.”

Last season, what routes were you throwing to within the offense?

“It was more two-man routes: hitches, corner, slants, outs, goes, posts – we had the whole route tree in our offense. We were more of an RPO (run-pass option) going off down and distance based on what we planned during the week with our scouting. All of it depended on how we wanted to attack their defense. We would tag on one side, and the opposite side had a different play going. We had the whole route tree; the receivers knew the routes from bottom to top and our connection was phenomenal.”

What will the 2020 offense look like?

“We got rid of our staff, but Coach Rizzo is still there. We are getting a new offense. It will not be the same. We will be under center this year. Last year, we were 90 percent in the shotgun. We are mixing up different offenses, pro-style, west coast, and every type of offense. It will be hard for defenses to stop us because we have so much talent on our team. It will be hard to matchup with us.”

What have you been working on this spring with your skillset as a QB?

“Mostly I am perfecting my craft throwing the ball. No one is perfect, I have to step up. I was taking hits last year; I am trying to work on staying calm in the pocket and working around my offensive linemen. If there is a rush coming, I am working on not coming out of the pocket but staying in and taking the hit. The work is on moving my feet while trying to find the open receiver. I have been training really hard on the field and keeping my agility up. Trying to not focus on one thing but to perfect everything.”

Going into recruiting, which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?

“A lot of schools: Utah, Wake Forest, those are the top two that have been on me. But I have already made my verbal commitment.”

I will circle back around to your commitment. But first, how many offers do you have?

“Six.”

Haskell’s Offer Sheet: Akron, Duke, Fresno State, Iowa State, Northern Arizona, and San Diego State

Going back to the start of last season, did you take any unofficial visits?

“One visit to Arizona.”

How did the Arizona visit go?

“For me, being able to see what colleges offer their student-athletes, seeing it with my own eyes and not on TV or through a website, that really caught my eye knowing if I put in the hard work that I have been putting in for over 10 years, this is where I can be furthering my athletics and academics. That one visit changed my perspective on football. It changed me not just for Saturdays or Fridays, but changed me with school. I want to earn a degree in business or sports medicine, I have to think about it all now.”

When will you make your announcement on your verbal commitment?

“Late this week or by Monday of next week.”

Are there any planned visits coming up once the campuses open back up?

“When I made my decision, I am sticking with my decision. My decision is the right one for me to further my academics and athletics. I am a man of my word. If I say I will do it, I will do it. If a coach gets fired, we’ll see, but the only visit I will take is to the school I committed to.”

Time for my virus buster. What have you been doing this spring to balance out your time with some fun?

“Mostly I have been hanging out with the family and my friends. I am making sure I am with the people that care about me the most and that I am there for them. We have to stay strong and cannot let the virus get the best of us. Even if we do not have it, we have to fight it.

“I have also been training a lot, getting my conditioning in, lifting every day, and putting on good weight for the season so I will play better. Going into the season, I want to play and look the best possible letting everyone know that I am the best player in Arizona regardless of the position. At the end of the season, I should be on the Top 100 in the nation. My goal is proving everyone wrong who has ever doubted me.”

Will, congratulations on your commitment. I am excited to see which school is the ideal fit for you when you announce.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Twitter.com; No. 1 Will Haskell in the pocket