Interview: 3-Star 2022 Arizona OLB Tristan Monday Talks All-State Performance and Recruiting
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Coming down the line with his hand in the dirt or off the edge in a two-point stance on a passing down, best believe Arizona quarterbacks and running backs hate seeing No. 52 lining up for Saguaro. The 6-2, 240-pound, outside linebacker/defensive end wearing No. 52 picked up second team All-State honors for the 2020 season after crushing 40 plays, 16 solo, with 18 tackles for a loss, eight quarterback hurries, and 4.5 sacks; he even caught a couple of passes turning one of them into a touchdown. The play on the field has brought fear into the eyes of 5A Arizona offenses and joy to prospective college coaches seeking to place the talents of three-star 2022 recruit Tristan Monday on their roster.
With seven scholarship offers under wraps and another big offseason ahead, Monday sat down for an RNG one-on-one covering his skills on the field with an update along the recruiting trail.
Interview
Tristan, how did the 2020 season go for you?
I thought it went good. I only got in six games; the stats are not where I want them to be. With a defensive line as good as ours, teams were running to save their quarterback as much as possible.
What scheme were you guys running this season?
It all depends on the team we were playing. We felt like we had the athletic advantage no matter who we were playing, we ran man mostly. We gave up the least amounts of points per game this season (48 total), something like 7.3 points per game.
What was your role in the scheme?
I was more of an enforcer. If we needed a play, I could make it. With that, I led the team in tackles for a loss, solo tackles, total tackles, and sacks.
Nice. In the shortened season, how did you see your overall skills improve?
I felt like it came from the offseason and working out with my trainer. I got better with my hands and gained a lot of speed over the summer.
Which areas of your technique took that jump?
I definitely got better on the down blocks. Last season I was not great at squeezing the tackle down, but I learned doing that is for the other linebackers so there are no free shots on my guys.
Now that the 2020 season is over and you’ve had time to reflect, what are the strengths to your game as a defender?
I feel like I am a great tackler and good at recognizing the play before it happens. With all our film study, I was recognizing the play before it happens, the pass or the run. I was using the offensive tackles’ momentum against them. If the lunge, they shoot their hands out. A strength of mine was finding that spot on their hands, hitting that and they were falling forward. Or if they were staying back, I’d hit them in the chest and drive them back.
If we were to sit down and watch film together, and I wanted to see your best game of the season, which game are you putting on for us to watch?
The Hamilton game. The ESPN game. That is the film I would want to show.
What did you do well in that one to make it your best?
I felt like I was well prepared, I knew the plays that were coming. In that game I had 12 tackles and six for a loss. They relied on their run. Our special teams play killed us in that one (lost 13-7).
So far this offseason, what are your weight room workouts like?
We don’t get back to school for lifting until next week. For now, I am working with my trainer. He has a good rotation for me from the main lifts. I am working out all those main groups separately as well as working on my speed.
Do you have a specific focus this offseason with your technique as a defender?
Perfecting my spin move. There were a lot of situations this season where an effective spin move would have helped me a lot.
Going into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest after the big season turned in?
UCLA is the biggest one. Washington and Oregon are also showing interest. There are a few other ones that my coach has been in contact with, but I am not sure of those yet. Any school that does not have my address, sending letters to school, I have no access to that yet.
How many offers do you have?
Seven.
Which programs were the last couple to offer?
The last three were Colorado and U-of-A on the same day and Idaho.
Monday’s Offer Sheet: Arizona, Baylor, Colorado, Florida State, Idaho, Iowa State, and New Mexico
When visits get going again, are there any campuses you’d like to go see?
Yes. U-of-A, I want to meet their new staff. U-of-A is only two hours away. Colorado, Baylor, and Iowa State, I am working on them to go visit.
Are you playing any other sports for Saguaro?
Yes, I play basketball.
Are you guys in-season?
Yes. Two days ago, they voted no on winter sports. But there was a petition to have them, so they reinstated it. We got that going again.
Which position are you playing?
I am playing power forward.
Did you play last year?
I did. I am a two-year varsity starter. That is cool to me, I played basketball before football.
Did you get any poster dunks last year?
Nah (laughs), but I am going for one this year.
Go get it, Tristan. I appreciate your time today. Good luck with the basketball season.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Monday family; Tristan Monday