Interview: 4-Star 2022 LB Taariq Al Uqdah Updates Summer Workouts and Recruiting
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Playing among one of the more talented rosters in California, and in the nation, Taariq Al Uqdah showed he was an elite talent during the 2019 season. Knocking helmets for Narbonne High School a year ago, Uqdah (6-0, 213) put an end to 67 plays with 11 tackles for a loss, two sacks, three quarterback hurries, and jarred a pigskin loose. The payoff for the hard work has been four offers dropped from Kansas, New Mexico, USC, and Washington along with four-star recruiting status for the emerging linebacker. Currently enrolled at Jefferson High School, Uqdah will give college scouts different looks during the 2020 season playing more at outside linebacker with touches on offense coming out of the backfield.
In an RNG revisit, Uqdah updates us on his growing recruiting process and preparations for his junior run.
*Click the link for the Jan. 29 RNG video interview with Taariq Al Uqdah
Interview
Taariq, how have the offseason workouts been going overall?
“They have been great, really great. I have improved this offseason. I have gotten stronger, bigger, and faster. Everything is pretty good.”
Sticking with bigger and stronger, what have you been doing to add strength and size to your game this offseason?
“I was about 190-something, now I am at 213. Now, I am squatting four plate. On bench, I felt really good one day and got 315. Last season, I could not hit two plates, maybe once or twice, but now I am hitting it.”
That is impressive.
“Thank you.”
What has been your workout routine to achieve adding 15 to 20 pounds?
“Every week, for two or three days I was at a teammates house who has a gym. We’d go there to lift, and we’d lift hard. We would do 100 cleans, shoulders – five sets at 25, squats and lunge squats, burn out sets, overhead bench press – we go hard.”
What have you been focusing on with your skills as a defender?
“This season I am trying to show that I can cover. Some people are trying to put me at middle linebacker; I think they feel that I might not be able to cover. This season, I will be outside more showing my cover skills. I am trying to get faster to show when I am out there that I can run with anyone.”
Last time we spoke you were looking at playing some running back this season, is that still a possibility?
“Yes. I should be playing some running back this year.”
What have you been doing to prepare for that role?
“During the quarantine, I have done a lot of offseason work, even before the team workouts started. I have been going to a park training on agility and balance. As a running back, I have focused on my balance, jumping, redirection, and stuff like that. Playing running back, that comes more naturally. My main focus is as a defender.”
Since we did our last video interview, recruiting has picked up for you with four-star status coming your way. Which schools are now showing interest but have not offered yet?
“Interest is coming in from Michigan, Oregon, Arizona, Ohio State, and some from Cal too.”
How many offers have been dropped?
“Four.”
Which program was your latest offer?
“New Mexico.”
Before the campuses were closed off, did you take any unofficial visits?
“Yes. We visited Oregon, Washington, and Oregon State.”
How did the Oregon visit go?
“It was dope, really dope. I had never seen technology like that. Those were my first visits outside of California. Oregon has been one of my dream schools forever. LaMichael James is someone I have always liked. If they offered, I would be so excited. When I was there, I was like a kid in a candy store. The technology they have at their school, I had never seen that before. The technology they use to help their athletes, stuff like how they help with recovery was amazing.”
And the Oregon State trip?
“That visit was dope too. That was a really good visit. We took pictures in the gear… that was a dope visit. It was cold when we were in Oregon. Besides the weather, they were all great. We had to rush to the airport when we were at Oregon State. I wish we could have stayed longer, but it was good.”
Taariq, it was great catching up with you today. Wishing you continued success this summer preparing for the 2020 season.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Taariq Al Uqdah