Interview: 3-Star 2021 Ryan Lange is Becoming That Prototypical Cornerstone Tackle

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

At every level of football, as a team, if you have a dominating left tackle, you are on your way to winning a lot of ball games. That is the case at Pittsburg High School going into the territory where Ryan Lange dominates. The 6-7, 320-pound, behemoth is a force in the run and passing attack blowing open holes for his running backs while keeping dirt off his quarterback’s jersey. The Pirates are 6-1 this season taking on Division I California Bay Valley League competition. With Lange anchoring the line, his team is averaging six party celebrations per game in the end zone.

Having the look, strength, and growing technique of a cornerstone left tackle with next level All-Conference kind of potential, offers have been dropped from Arizona State and San Jose State with interest building up and down the west coast. To talk about it all, I spent a few minutes with one of California’s best linemen talents in the 2021 class for an update.

*Click link for June 27, 2019, RNG interview with Ryan Lange

Interview

Ryan, I saw you working hard at a camp over the summer. Throughout the summer and into fall camp, which areas of your game did you focus on before entering the 2019 schedule?

“The thing I worked on the most by far was my technique in pass-pro. My strong suit, no doubt, is with my run blocking, I wanted to make pass protection my strong suit as well. I got bigger and stronger and worked on proper technique and my speed.”

The team is putting it on opposing Division I teams for 44 points per game. What are you guys doing to rough up defenses so well?

“We have a lot of good team synergy. We have bonded on and off the field. We are a good tight unit out there.”

What is your part in the high-scoring offense this season? What are the coaches having you do on the field?

“With run blocking, I am the freight train letting the stars run downfield and I am keeping my quarterback safe.”

Which areas of your game are showing the most gains?

“My aiming point is showing a lot of improvement. Before, I could be shaken or juked because I was aiming too high. I am staying focused and low now. I am not being juked around the edge. I am able to sustain him in my arms and lock him up. With run blocking, my coaches’ belief in me has been a big improvement for me. They are running behind me knowing I will put a hole open for the running back. That is helping me succeed and letting my potential come through.”

All players come across a difficulty on the field that in turn makes them better. What challenge(s) have you faced this season, how did you prepare for that challenge, and how did you overcome that challenge?

“Before the season began, I knew my big opponents were Serra Padre’s (2020) defensive end Nusi Malani (3-star) and Liberty High School’s (2021) end Akili Calhoun (4-star). They were the two big players I prepared for this season. The week of the Serra game, I learned all Malani’s moves and went over what he would do in the game. I also went over my weaknesses that he would go after to make sure I was ready.

“Even if I am not going against a big opponent, I respect whoever I am going against. It is easy for them to get past you one time and that can change the course of the game. I feel like we overlooked St. Mary’s in Week 1. They got an early start on us, same with Freedom. Against Wilcox, we buckled down and got the win. That was a game other people thought we would lose.”

Ryan, I know you have the offers from Arizona State and San Jose State, which other schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?

“There are quite a bit of schools showing interest, mostly Pac-12. Every one of them other than Arizona and Stanford. Notre Dame, Nevada, Washington State, USC, Cal, UCLA, Oregon State, Nebraska, Penn State, and Oregon are all showing interest.”

*After the interview, Washington State offered Lange

After we last spoke this summer, did you take any visits?

“Yes. I took one to Cal over the summer.”

How did that go?

“That was really cool. It surprised me. That was my third time there. I got to see how everything works. I had a cool one-on-one session with the coaches. I got to see the film room, see how the weight room works, and I got to see one of their practices. It was great seeing how hard the guys work. They have academic help if needed for the players. I got to see how they do their film study. The players are really close with their coaches. They meet every day and practice on the field every day with the coaches. I got the experience of being in the shoes of a Cal player. It was a cool experience.”

Are there any planned visiting coming up?

“There is one planned to Arizona State, but I am not sure when.”

Last question. You guys took care of Freedom 48-33 before going into the bye week. The Pirates take on an impressive Liberty (7-0) team on Friday. What can the fans expect in the showdown?

“They can expect that both teams will be heavy-headed and want to win. We have prepared well. We are ready, dug in deep, and we are ready to take them on. I believe we will come out on top.”

Ryan, great catching up with you today. I’m wishing you and the Pirates success until we speak again.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Lange family; Ryan Lange at Cal