Interview: A new era begins under center for St. John Bosco with Quentin Davis

An era has come to an end at Saint John Bosco. The Los Angeles area powerhouse high school football program said goodbye to senior quarterback Josh Rosen at the conclusion of the 2014 season.

Over the past three years Rosen had thrown for over 8,400 yards with 90 touchdowns against 19 interceptions, just four tossed during his senior campaign. During Rosen’s time in the huddle, St. John Bosco won eight games in 2012, 16 in 2013, and 12 contests in 2014. With the wins came a 2013 California state championship along with a national championship. In 2014 Bosco lost to the eventual national champs Bishop Gorman 34-31 on the road in Vegas and in the semifinal round of the California playoffs to Centennial 48-41.

As is the case in every sport at every level someone new has to pickup the torch for accomplished and celebrated players continuing the winning tradition when the time comes. The related parallels on a national level would include Matt Leinart taking over for Carson Palmer at USC, Colt McCoy filling Vince Young’s shoes at Texas, or even at the NFL level when Aaron Rodgers kept the Green Bay Packers at an elite level once Brett Favre was gone.

For the Bellflower high school football program the next in line to start his own legacy is Quentin Davis.

Davis is a 6’1”, 207 pound, quarterback who brings his own unique skills to the gridiron. Rosen (UCLA) was rated the No. 1 pro-style quarterback in the nation as part of the 2015 recruiting class. Davis is a true dual-threat in the pocket. He may not have all the compiled stats of other Class of 2016 signal callers but in his time on the field he has completed 70 percent of his passes with one touchdown, no picks, and ran for over 100 yards in a quarter against Crenshaw flashing his 4.6 speed.

The good thing for Braves head coach Jason Negro and fans, Davis will not have to carry the load by himself. Bosco has do everything running back Sean McGrew and his 1,800 rushing yards back, along with Anselem Umeh’s 29 receptions for 536 yards with four touchdowns and Jared Harrell’s 30 receptions for 544 yards with another six scores.

On defense Bosco is expecting DJ Morgan and his 112 tackles back, along with defensive backs Mykal Tolliver, 52 tackles and 4 picks, Traveon Beck and his 96 stops, and Bryce Turner’s two picks and 55 stops. Plain and simple Bosco is stacked on both sides of the ball.

The world maybe looking at Davis but the weight of the world is not placed solely on Davis’ shoulders. And with road graders like Joe Murphy and Matthew Smith among others protecting up front those shoulders should stay clean and untouched while in the pocket once the 2015 season gets underway.

In an exclusive Recruiting News Guru interview Quentin Davis took time to talk about learning the ropes of St. John Bosco’s offense under Josh Rosen, preparing for the 2015 season, and managing the high expectations that come with being the expected starting quarterback of the Braves.

 

Quentin, give us a rundown of how the 2014 season went for St. John Bosco in your eyes.

“Last year Bosco was an athletic team with a lot of good players. We were really young and we had lost some great guys. We lost some key seniors. Towards the end of the year we were really rolling. Once we got into league we got on that roll. In the playoffs we were playing great. Centennial unfortunately got the better of us.”

What was it like for you playing behind Josh Rosen?

“I think it’d be tough for any backup quarterback. Everyone wants to get on the field. Playing behind him was a privilege. He’s a great friend and a great mentor. I really enjoyed my time with him. He’s already at UCLA tearing it up. He’s already getting first team reps. He was a great guy to play with, I’m honored to say that I played behind him.”

How much time did you get on the Junior Varsity level?

“My sophomore year I had to sit out the first five games due to the transfer rule. I transferred in from Mater Dei. I played against league teams and then was on varsity for the playoffs.”

What is your approach to a given game?

“My approach has changed. My sophomore year I was getting pumped up listening to different types of music. Coach (Chad) Johnson gives us a quarterback test at team meal. The test is 45 questions long. Now I’m getting mentally prepared. Before the games I’m getting ready by studying for my test. After the test I’m going over the test reviewing my answers and then listening to music.”

Are you expecting to be the starting quarterback for St. John Bosco once the season begins?

“The thing about Coach Johnson and Coach Negro, every year you come in to compete for a starting spot no matter who you are. Even though we had Josh the competition was open. You have to act like you are ready to compete. This year I am going to do the same things, with the test, etc…”

How are you managing the heavy expectations of taking over the reigns of the program?

“I’m just trying to be an all around person. Right now I am the Junior Class President, I’m in a bunch of clubs, my GPA is up to par, hopefully my play on the field is up to par. I’m just trying to be a good citizen, my volunteer hours are up. Just trying to be the best person I can be.”

Who is your Week 1 opponent and what are your thoughts about them?

“La Mirada.”

Have you started preparing for La Mirada yet? Have you started watching any game film?

“Not yet. On April 27 we start spring ball. Once we start summer ball, then we have 7×7, end of summer ball, and then fall ball starts, then we’ll start looking at La Mirada.”

Do you watch a lot of game film?

“I meet with Coach Johnson to go over film. I spend 20-30 minutes a day or 2-3 hours a week going over film.”

Few people out there have really had a chance to see what you can do on the field. What are your strengths at the quarterback position?

“Right now I’m ranked as a dual-threat. I rushed for 100 yards against Crenshaw in a quarter. I’m good at throwing in the pocket. I’m good at reading defenses, throwing on the run and with my accuracy.”

What are some of your favorite throws to make?

“I like to make every throw, I like to make completions.”

You got me there. Which routes are some of your favorite routes to make those completions?

“I really like throwing the fade. I’m really accurate, I like throwing into windows. I like the 10-and-out. I like throwing on time and I like slants.”

Are any schools recruiting you right now?

“A couple of schools are recruiting me. I’m getting mail from ASU (Arizona State), Missouri, and Cal. I’ve talked to Hawaii and USC.”

What have the different college coaches said they like about your game?

“Usually they like the way I throw and the way I move. All of them want more film.”

What are you doing in the offseason to prepare for your senior year?

“At St. John’s we do speed training then go to lifting on Mondays and Wednesdays. After lifting I drive to Carson to work on speed and technique. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I go to USC to work with QB Coach John Beck or he comes to me to work me out.”

When your time comes to pick a college to attend what will impact your decision?

“Coach Negro always says never base your college decision off a coach. You never know if they are going to stay. I’ll base my decision off how I feel about the school, the facilities, how welcoming the players are, and if can I see myself there for four years.”

Have you gone on any unofficial visits yet?

“I’ve gone to ASU and Cal. They went well. ASU treated me really well. I was on the field for a long time before the game. I was there for the Notre Dame game. They put us on the third row. I got to go into the locker room and tour the facilities. We did a full tour of the academic offices.

“Cal also went really well. They put us in the stands a little higher than ASU. We were there for the Stanford game. We toured the locker room and the facilities. Bryce Treggs (wide receiver) took us around the next day. He’s a St. John Bosco graduate. We got to see the training room and weight room. It was really fun.”

Are you going to any college camps this summer?

“I’m going to Cal, ASU, and San Diego State but I have not decided where else I may go.”

Are you going to any exposure camps?

“I’m planning on going to the Elite 11 Regional in Oakland and in Oregon. I participated in the LA Rivals camp.”

How did the LA camp go for you?

“I was ranked seventh after the camp. I played well. You get limited amount of reps. You have to take advantage of the time you get. I think I went 5 of 7 on my reps at the camp.”

Do you have a college or NFL player you like to watch to learn more about the game?

“I really like Tom Brady. I’m a big Patriots fan. I like how he works in the pocket. I got to see him in three Super Bowls – that was an unbelievable experience.”

Who has had the biggest impact on your football career to date?

“My dad (Brian) has had the biggest impact on me. He has always been there for me. He takes me to every single training session. He makes sure my diet is up to par. He’s always there pushing me.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“My favorite part is when the adrenaline goes through you while playing a game. When you’re playing a game and competing you’re brain kicks in letting you know you can do it. I like the winning and the losing, and being part of something bigger than yourself.”

 

The good news for the St. John Bosco staff, their fans, and all the guys on the team, Quentin is not taking the opportunity to become the Braves’ starting quarterback for granted. Without any guarantees Davis has completely committed himself to improving on the field by going beyond off the field. Film study and weight lifting would be enough for most, but that is not Davis’ style. He has committed himself further to include speed training, 7×7 tournaments, and individual quarterback training all for the betterment of the team.

Davis does not need to set the world on fire in 2015 as St. John Bosco’s starting quarterback. There is enough talent on the roster for the Braves to compete against any given team on their schedule week in and week out. But knowing the talent and skill set Davis possesses one should not be surprised if he quickly becomes one of the hottest recruits in the 2016 class a couple of games into the season once he starts lighting up opposing defenses.

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: St. John Bosco High School; No. 2 Quentin Davis.