Interview: 4-Star California DE/TE Jermaine Terry Updates Recruiting, Visits and Workouts

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

There was a party held on the Kennedy High School gridiron during the 2018 season and Class of 2021 athlete Jermaine Terry was the host. Trouble is, the guests attending were not having a good time seeing the 6-4, 235-pound, tight end and defensive end dominate the festivities. On defense, Terry rolled up 61 plays, 27 solo, with 13 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, forced a fumble, and scared the living daylights out of a quarterback 18 times. Used primarily as a blocking tight end in a run-first offense, his opportunities as a receiving threat emerged pulling down six passes on seven targets for an estimated 100 yards with three receiving touchdowns. Adding a little more to the resume, he also took an onside kick back to the house some 52 yards. The work, upside, and athletic abilities have 11 scholarships set before him with interest rising.

In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down the rising four-star recruit out of California’s Richmond area gaining insight on his game and recruiting process.

Interview

Jermaine, there are a lot of questions I have for you today, but I want to start off with the on-side kick return taken to the house for a score. It looked like you were running as fast as a track star. Walk me through what was going through your mind on the play.

“Usually I am on the line or on the second level, but I have never done that before. It was a great experience. It was fun. I saw the hole open up and just went, and I ran as fast as I could.”

Even though it is early in your high school career, you are starting out like receiver Cris Carter, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles, in that all you do is catch touchdown passes, and you were about four yards shy of going three-for-three in receptions and touchdowns. How did that part of your game develop last season?

“Most of my life I have been on the defensive side. I went on the offensive side to better my future and help out my team. I just tried go get better day by day. You have to work, nothing is handed out. Working with Courtney Anderson, he is a former NFL tight end (Raiders), I was picking up on his wisdom trying to help my team. I just wanted to win and play the sport I love.”

You are a force on blocking downs working as an extra tackle on the line, how did that part of your game improve during the 2018 season?

“It improved by working more with my offensive line coach and doing different techniques. My mentality is you are not taking off my plate, I am taking off yours. I have been playing on the line my whole life. Playing on the line comes natural to me. It is natural to be a force on the line for me.”

During your sophomore season you were causing chaos in the opposition’s backfield using your speed to make plays behind the line. What are some of your other strengths at end?

“My football IQ. I have a knack for where the ball will be. I am not the fastest, but I find a way to the quarterback. My release is another strength to my game.”

Which areas of your game are you working on this offseason on offense?

“I am trying to get my twitch faster, my speed up, and improve my route running.”

What about on defense?

“I am working on my get off, understanding the game even better, and being more versatile. I am playing some outside linebacker this year. I am preparing to play both positions this season.”

Have you gone to any camps this spring?

“Yes. I went to the Under Armour Camp in Folsom and this past weekend I went to the Oakland Nike Opening Regional. I have also been to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Camp. That was great learning technique from those guys.”

How did the Nike Opening go for you?

“It went great. The one-on-ones went well. The combine stuff was good. I have two more years to improve on all the combine drills.”

Are there any camps upcoming you may attend?

“I have been invited as a tight end to the Ray Lewis Camp. I would like to go to that. There are some satellite camps I am looking at and may attend, but I am not sure where all I may camp yet. We have a lot of 7v7 tournaments coming up as well. Playing with my team comes first.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest but have not offered yet?

“UCLA and Cal are showing the most interest right now. I talk to them the most. They go out of their way to talk to me.”

How many offers do you have now?

“I have 11 offers.”

Which schools have you visited this offseason?

“I have taken visits to Oregon, Oregon State, Portland State, and Cal.”

How did the Oregon visit go?

“It was great. I talked to head coach Mario Cristobal. Visiting Oregon was a different experience. I went with my 7v7 team. I was thankful for it. I like seeing new places and seeing new things. I take all schools into consideration on my visits. I look at how they treat people. Oregon was a great visit, I would love to go back.”

What about the Oregon State visit, how did that go?

“It was a great visit also. They have a family feel up there. Coach (Jonathan) Smith (head coach) has the right people to do the job building for a national championship. I would love to be a part of it.”

And the Cal visit, tell me about that one?

“It always goes well when I visit Cal. Cal is so close to home. They show how much they want me. That visit is always great. I have been there about three times now and I plan on going some more.”

Speaking of planned visits, might you visit any other schools coming up?

“Yes. I plan to go to Tennessee, Florida, UCLA, Arizona and Arizona State this summer. All the schools that offered I plan to visit.”

We all know you can play on the gridiron, but what is Jermaine Terry like off the field?

“I am a humble person really. You’d never know I have offers. I am a cool guy. I like to help people. I am a great student. I want to be a nurse if football does not work out. I am a hard worker. I am one of the hardest workers you will meet. I want to feed my family with football.”

Since you like to help people, are there any teammates that could be on the field with you in college one day?

“Yes, sir. We have prospects at my school. We have a lot of young guys doing special things like Jaylen McDaniel, Ben Freeman, Sateki Lavulo, Elijah Cannon, and Michael Richardson; we have more than that. We have a bevy of talent. I know we can do something special this year. I am not the only person coaches can come here to see play. I want to help everyone out.”

Jermaine, thanks for your time today and good luck with the upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Terry family; Jermaine Terry at Oregon and Oregon State