Interview: 3-Star 2021 California QB Ari Patu Talks Folsom Football and Recruiting
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
During the 2019 California high school football season, the Folsom Bulldogs were a team no one wanted to face. The squad’s offense was prolific and unrelenting averaging 46 points per game during a 10-2 season. The offense had a one-two punch in the pocket between senior Jake Reithmeier and rising Class of 2021 quarterback Ari Patu. Patu (6-4, 195) proved to be an emerging presence in the Bulldogs backfield with an estimated stat line of 900 to 1,000-yards passing with four passing scores and rushed for at least 166 yards with four more touchdowns going up on the board. The abilities of Patu to guide an offense has impressed college coaches, so much so that four offers have been dropped.
In an RNG catch-up interview, we sat down going over his play on the field and recruiting process.
*Click link for previous RNG video interview with Ari Patu
Interview
Ari, we caught up over the summer at a camp. Then you told me what all you were working on to prepare for the 2019 schedule. How did the season go for you?
“The 2019 season was great. We went into the third round of the playoffs; we had a first-round bye. The regular season was great, we were 9-1 and our only loss to De La Salle. Game by game it was a constant growth and progression in the offense. It has been awesome to learn the offense and grow within. The team has been great, and we were getting better and better and playing more as one.”
Which offensive system are you running with the Bulldogs this season?
“At Folsom, we are a base Spread, but we mix it up. We run double tight and single-tight, all out of shotgun.”
What is your rotation into the game with Jake Reithmeier?
“The plan going into each game has been for Jake to start and then we split time as equally as possible. If he goes three or four drives, then I go for three or four drives. Each game is unpredictable on how it may turn out, but that was the plan.”
Where did you show the biggest improvements in your skillset throughout the season?
“One of the biggest things for me was seeing defenses and going against live defenses. I missed out on that last year. I am getting the ball out quicker this season and I am attacking weaknesses in coverages, those have been a big improvement in my game.”
For any given game, how were you preparing for a team?
“The preparation starts on Saturday. We would have team workouts to get lactic acid out, then we would watch our last game to see what we can improve on for the next game. Once we find out who we are playing, in the playoffs, then it is constant film study. We were watching to see what they run, their personnel, guys up front and in secondary. We would watch for variations of coverages, down and distance, and know their defense and understand what they are doing. Then, we would rep our game plan in practice so we were prepared on Friday.”
Schools are liking your play on the field. How many offers are you holding?
“Four – Duke, Kansas, San Jose State, and William & Mary.”
Which schools are showing interest?
“Miami, Stanford, Northwestern, Nebraska, Utah, Sacramento State, Oregon State, Colorado, and UCLA – those are the ones off the top of my head that I can think of right now.”
Understood. Have you taken any unofficial visits this season?
“Yes. The most recent, I went to Cal Saturday the 16th for their game against USC. I also went to Sac State earlier this fall, San Jose State, and I went to Stanford for the Oregon game. I am going to Stanford for the big game against Cal. I plan on taking more visits to some colleges out east this winter.”
Which schools might you visit this winter?
“Duke, Kansas, and possibly Miami.”
With the Cal visit, how did that go?
“It was great. My older brother Orin (OLB) goes there. I am familiar with the guys on the team. They have a very nice family atmosphere. Seeing the game day as a recruit and meeting other recruits, overall it was great.”
And the Stanford visit, how did that go?
“Amazing. The way they run their recruiting activities and team – you can tell the detail of leadership of Coach (David) Shaw (head coach). All the coaches are on point. It was great from start to finish.”
Ari, it was great catching up with you today. Thanks for your time and good luck with your offseason workouts.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Patu family; Ari Patu at Stanford