Interview: 3-Star 2021 Louisiana WR Jack Bech had the Breakout of All Seasons
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
When the offseason comes and athletes in their respective sports “talk” about how hard they are working, the productivity on the field the following season does not always align. For St. Thomas More receiver Jack Bech, he talked the talk and walked the walk leading to one of the more impressive breakout seasons one can have on the gridiron. Now the Class of 2021 talent is holding 19 scholarship offers as a result of his dedication to his craft.
Taking on Louisiana 4A competition is not easy, especially for a receiver. So it seems, every high school football team in the Sportsman’s Paradise has next level players lining their secondaries. Bech got his taste for the competition level and what was required to succeed during the 2018 season. He took in 12 passes for 135 yards with one touchdown and then hit the offseason like a man on fire. The results were an 11-2 run for his Cougars squad hoisting the state championship trophy at the end of the season after downing De La Salle 58-10 in the Dome. The 6-2, 205-pound, receiver did his part securing 91 passes for 1,668 yards with 20 touchdowns. Showing off more of his overall speed and athleticism, Bech added a 32-yard run to the stat column and returned nine punts for 202 yards with a long of 68.
As one might expect, the postseason accolades rolled in seeing Bech rated as a three-star prospect with first team All-District, All-Acadiana, All-Metro, and All-State honors forever attached to his amazing season.
With offers on the table and a march to repeat ahead, I sat down with one of Louisiana’s best for an in-depth conversation.
Interview
Jack, you tore it up during the 2019 season helping lead the Cougars to a 4A state title. What was the run to the title like for you last season?
“It was a lot of fun being with all my friends and playing with the seniors. It was fun helping the seniors out and winning a title for them. Now that my class will be seniors, we want to go out on a “W” too.”
In the championship game you shinned with 10 receptions for 186 yards and three touchdowns scored with one punt return for a score. Continuing your onslaught against opposing defenses on the biggest stage, when the game was over what did that mean to you having produced such a big game?
“It meant a lot after all the hard work we put in. The goal is to do that in big games with all the hard work. It was a good thing for me to be able to do that and it was good knowing hard work does pay off.”
What style of offense were you guys running last season?
“We run a Spread. Usually we have three out with a tight end on the line. We like to create mismatches on the inside, middle, or outside. We have all different types of concepts to get people open.”
Which routes were you running throughout the season?
“Oh man. All different routes – fades, quick routes, hitches, posts, digs, out-backs, the whole route tree. Whatever was open, we’d get the ball to that part of the field.”
The 2019 season was a breakout year for you after securing 12 for 135 with one touchdown as a sophomore. How did your game improve from the end of the 2018 season to the ’19 run?
“I was grinding harder than ever. I gained some size, muscle, and strength; that helped. Being more physical and stronger than the defensive backs I was seeing helped. The physiological part of my game improved too. Our receivers’ coach is great. That really helped out too.”
Your overall athleticism is such a big part of your game, your ability to high-point the ball and your speed to take it to the house. How fast are you?
“I have not run an official laser 40. My previous best was a 4.61 hand-timed.”
Do you compete in other sports?
“Yes. I also play basketball. We’ve won state two years in a row, and we are still going for three. I also play 7v7 for the Bootleggers, the elite team out of Louisiana.”
Are you taking on any new roles when the team takes the field in 2020 seeking to defend the championship?
“No. I am sticking to receiver.”
Which areas of your game are you working on this offseason?
“Getting quicker off the ball, my short burst, making people miss, being more explosive, and running more precise routes.”
Are you competing at any camps this offseason?
“Yes. I am competing at an Under Armour camp on the 22nd and I plan on going to an LSU camp.”
Nice transition into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered after the year your turned in for the Cougars?
“Cal, Virginia, LSU, Mississippi State, Yale, and Clemson a little bit.”
How many offers are you holding?
“I have 19 offers.”
Bech’s Offer Sheet: Arkansas State, Boston College, Dartmouth, Hawaii, Harvard, Houston, Liberty, Louisiana (ULL), Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Monroe, Pennsylvania, Princeton, Rice, South Alabama, Troy, Tulane, and Vanderbilt
Which programs were the last two to offer you?
“Boston College and Hawaii.”
Have you taken any unofficial visits over the last few months?
“I have. I took one to Virginia, Notre Dame last summer, and Vanderbilt.”
How did the Virginia visit go?
“Really well. I met some of the coaches, saw their facilities and the campus. I saw the locker room and all that when I was there.”
And the Vanderbilt visit, how did that go?
“It went really well. I really like everything about their school, especially being in Nashville. The coaching staff, I really like them. Being in the SEC is a big thing for me and they have great academics.”
Are there any planned visits coming up for you?
“Basketball ends next week; I am setting up everything then. I will plan out then what I will be doing.”
Jack, thanks for your time today and wishing you and the team success in the playoffs.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Bech family; Jack Bech at Vanderbilt and Virginia