Interview: 3-Star 2021 California CB O’Shae Pollard Talks Recruiting and Workouts
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
During the 2019 high school football season, Lawndale pushed their record to 9-3 against California squads thanks in large part to the all around skills of O’Shae Pollard. Pollard got after it at the skill positions (CB/WR) and as a return specialist. Once the 2020 season kicks off in January, the 6-0, 177-pound, three-star recruit will give college coaches a different look as the field corner for Inglewood High School.
With two offers on the table and interest ranging up and down the west coast, Pollard sat down for another RNG interview.
*Click link for March 2020 RNG interview with O’Shae Pollard
Interview
O’Shae, you were that two-way player, actually three-way, for Lawndale last season highlighted at the skill positions. What have you been working on with your strength over the summer months since we last talked preparing for your senior season?
I have been working on getting my legs stronger and my shoulders – I am getting ready for college. My goal is to get there with the proper weight and size for the chance to start in college. I’ve been working on my overall body with a focus on my legs.
How have you been adding more speed and agility to your talents?
With track workouts. I have been working out with speed coaches doing hurdles and on-leg drills to build ankle mobility and stuff like that.
Did you get a track time in this spring before everything shutdown?
We had one track meet; I ran the 200 in 22.9.
When we last spoke during the spring, you had just transferred to Inglewood. With a little more time in with the team, where all will you be playing this season with the Sentinels?
We have a lot of offensive and defensive players on our roster this season. The focus for me will be at field corner. I might play some nickel, but I will mainly be at field corner.
What style of defense will you guys execute this season?
We are running a dime, and every defense you can name. We have a lot of defensive backs that will allow us to run a lot of dimes in the 4-3. It all depends on what the coach wants. Our defensive playbook has a lot of plays.
You just touched on this, going into more detail. What all coverages will you guys execute?
We run a lot of 2-man and 3-man with the safeties flipping depending on the team we are playing. We have one play with the corner in the flats, in a three-by-one alignment, I play hard flats with the safety over top quickly.
What have you been improving upon with your skills on defense?
Being patient, proper hand placement, and quicker feet. A new technique in off-man I have been working on is a skate technique.
Tell me about that. What is a skate technique?
You turn your foot on the outside in and push off that foot and you don’t lift your back foot, you push until you see something. You stay in your back pedal longer. Younger defensive backs turn and run too soon.
With more time to prepare for the 2020 season, what goals have you set for the fall and winter months?
My goals are gaining weight, getting faster, becoming more technically sound, and to make a bigger name for myself this season.
Let’s dive into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
Pretty much the same from the last time we talked (*). UNLV and a lot of Mountain West schools showing interest.
*Schools Showing Pollard Interest: UNLV, Cal, Yale, UCLA, San Diego State, Eastern Washington, Hawaii, San Jose State, Kansas, and Oregon State
Two schools have offered, which two?
Central Michigan and Utah State.
This summer did you get to take any virtual visits?
Yes, I took virtual visits with Utah State, Oregon State, and another school sent me one.
If you were allowed to take visits next week, which schools might you visit?
Arizona State, Arizona, Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA, USC, Utah State, and Central Michigan.
O’Shae, thanks for your time today. Wishing you continued success this offseason preparing for your senior campaign.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Pollard family; O’Shae Pollard