Interview: 3-Star Chaminade QB Ryan Stevens Talks Football and Recruiting

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

There are a lot of positive characteristics to point out about Class of 2019 quarterback Ryan Stevens. On the field, he is a fighter who cracked the rotation under center for California powerhouse Chaminade as a sophomore becoming a starter midway through the 2016 season holding his spot ever since. In the classroom, Stevens is an amazing student with a 4.6 GPA this semester, a cumulative at 4.4, and scored a 1480 on the SAT missing just one math question.

Stevens (6-1.5, 180) and the Chaminade Eagles have been tested with a very tough schedule this season, but have scratched and clawed their way through each game giving max effort. In an RNG in-season catch-up interview, I checked in on Stevens to see how his game is coming along while receiving a recruiting update.

*Click link for June 20, 2018, RNG video interview with Ryan Stevens

Interview

Ryan, after seeing you all over the place in the offseason working hard on your mechanics and technique, where are you seeing the biggest growth in your game this season?

“I am seeing the biggest growth through my leadership. With my game, I am seeing big growth in my running ability and my ability to extending plays. I believe all five of my passing touchdowns this season have come off extending plays giving them time to my receiver to get open. I have run more this year than I ever have. It is fun being part of the running game this year.”

Are there any areas of your game that have improved so much that you even surprise yourself?

“Yes. My running game. I have never ran the ball at all within our offense. My ability to run the triple-option, read zone, and attack outside linebackers to get the extra yards is surprising even me. Now, I have a new offense I can be involved in.”

With each practice this season, what all are you working on to continually fine-tune your game?

“I am working on my timing with receivers, going through my progressions, and understanding defenses. I have watched so much film this year scouting defender’s tendencies, their fronts and knowing their coverage off their fronts. I am getting good reps in practice to experience it live which helps in the games.”

What has been the biggest challenge for you this season?

“I’d say not having (receiver) Michael Wilson (Stanford). Not having that deep threat at receiver, it has been tough. Having to step up being a senior leader is helping me. The challenge of this season is helping understand how to better led the team week in and week out.”

How have you taken on that challenge and become a better player and leader for it?

“Going through the challenges of the season is helping me as a player to understand even more of the game. This year I am making line calls for blocking protection. Being a team player means understanding everyone’s role and making them stay on task. As a leader, you have to bring the entire offense together and have everyone working together.”

Which game this season has been your best and why do you consider it to be your best?

“For me, the Folsom game was my best. Against Folsom, my ability to be comfortable with my reads, I was getting the ball out fast, and I had 3 touchdown passes. It was a lot of fun. It was fun seeing everyone doing their job.”

You guys host a talented Loyola team on Friday, what are you expecting from their defense?

“We are expecting a lot of hard hitting and guys flying around the field. They have a physical defense.”

Turning to recruiting, which schools are showing interest in you but have not offered yet?

“I am receiving interest from UPenn (Pennsylvania), Yale, Cincinnati, and Rice.”

Which schools have extended offers to you?

“I have offers from Davidson, Drake, Stetson, and Colorado School of Mines.”

Have you taken any visits over the last couple of months?

“Yes. I went to Johns Hopkins for a game.”

Do you have any planned visits upcoming?

“Yes. I am planning on visiting University of San Diego, Davidson, and MIT; they do have a football program at MIT.”

For those readers out there who may not know your well or at all, what type of student-athlete is Ryan Stevens?

“I’m definitely a hard-working and dedicated player. I am the type of kid who never gives up. Once I start something, I will never give up. I will always continue to fight no matter what. If I can play, I will play. I never want to be pulled out of a game for any reason.”

Looking back at this point in your career, you have been down a long tough road, how has that shaped you as a QB?

“I feel that this path in football has development me into a better man. Down this path, I have developed better character. There are problems in life where we face adversity. You can only control what you can control, you can’t control what others do. I have learned that you don’t give up and you keep fighting. I am always giving my best effort on and off the field. Football has developed me to being a better person. I feel that I have developed into a well-rounded person because of football.”

Ryan, great catching up with you today. Good luck against Loyola.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Team captains – No. 17 Ryan Stevens