Interview: 3-Star 2021 QB Xavier Ward Details Commitment to Washington State
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The Washington State Cougars added the must-get build-around piece to their 2021 recruiting class on Thursday when three-star quarterback Xavier Ward went public with his commitment. The 6-2, 195-pound, pro-style quarterback drew recruiting attention his way last season after throwing for 2,044 yards with 20 touchdowns and one rushing score for Roosevelt High School. The win for the Cougars on the recruiting trail is two-fold, landing their target in the pocket and pulling their first of eight so far in the 2021 class out of the fertile California recruiting grounds.
In an RNG catch-up interview, Ward drops by for a quick interview taking us behind the scenes on his commitment to Washington State.
Interview
Xavier, congratulations on your commitment to Washington State.
“Thank you.”
From the time the Washington State staff started showing interest to the offer reported on June 6, and to your commitment on June 11, what was that process like for you?
“They started showing interest in me back in February. They talked to my head coach, then I met Coach Craig Stutzmann (QB) through my head coach. They had some insight on me through my quarterback coach Steve Calhoun. From there we built a relationship over the phone, and in March we talked on the phone more and more. A couple of weeks ago, in April, I met Nick Rolovich (head coach) and got his number. I continued to build those relationships with both coaches – I really liked both of them, it was really good. I sent as many videos as I could to them to show them what I was doing and working on. In June, they said they were close to offering. What set it off was the Top 100 So Cal Showcase – that topped that off. They could see my combine numbers and athleticism, and that gave them more reassurance; they offered the night of that camp.”
At what point did the Cougars start to become a serious contender for you as a college fit?
“Since we had built that relationship from February to June, I knew then, once they offered. I had a Zoom meeting with them last Tuesday, I met the whole staff then: academics, the athletic director, their weight room coach – all of the coaching staff. Meeting Coach John Richardson (RC/CB) was a good thing. He made a PowerPoint presentation for me; that made me like the college even more.”
How do they see you fitting into their scheme?
“Because of my ability with my arm strength, my accuracy, and I have a live arm, I can put it anywhere on the field, and my ability to extend plays they see me in their Run and Shoot airing it out deep. They thought I was perfect for their offense. My arm ability, how dynamic I am with my feet and arm, I am almost perfect for the Run and Shoot offense.”
When did you verbally notify the staff and which coach got the good news?
“I verbally notified the staff the night before my Twitter post, two nights ago. I called Craig Stutzmann – my exact words were, “I will be a Cougar.” They were at Coach Richardson’s house; they were all together already. He was super excited and gave phone to Coach Rolovich. Coach Rolovich was really happy and said we are excited about you coming, excited about you, and think you will be a great fit.”
That moment, right before you committed, what was going through your mind and what were you feeling?
“I was thinking, I am ready, I am ready to commit. I had talked about it and prayed about it, that was the focal point of all conversations in my house leading up to my commitment. Going over all the check boxes, they checked all the boxes. They have everything I need. I was really-really excited to do it, excited afterwards, and still excited now.”
You kind of answered this, but I will ask anyway. Now that you’ve accomplished this major achievement, how do you feel?
“Like I said, I am excited, ecstatic, every positive word in the book. I can’t wait to see what the future is in store for me at Washington State.”
Are you going to start recruiting others to join you in Pullman? If so, what’s your pitch to them?
“Of course. Brian Smith, their offensive coordinator, asked me to help with that already. I am thinking about three receivers now, that will expand soon. My pitch to them, we will throw the ball in the Run and Shoot offense. Your will get yards on top of yards; you will get your stats and I will get mine. It is a school that will get you in the NFL, especially with the offense they run.”
What are you going to do to celebrate reaching a major life milestone, or have you done something already?
“We have not done anything yet, but we probably will soon. My parents have been working, I understand. We are going out to eat, and we plan on visiting the city of Pullman to see how it is on our own. That would be a great celebration, see how the city is.”
Xavier, any last words before we wrap the interview?
“This is one of the best decisions of my life. I really like the people at Washington State. I think it is a great fit and they will do a great job developing me for the next level, the NFL, that is where I want to go.”
Again, congratulations on your commitment and thanks for your time today.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Ward family; Xavier Ward at the 2020 Elite 11 California Regional