Interview: All-State Honors Aside 3-Star 2022 DL/OG Bobby Piland has Something He Wants to Prove

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

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The rigors of being a two-way player in the trenches against California D-II competition is a normal week in and week out occurrence for Bobby Piland. The Class of 2022 standout improved upon an All-League and All-CIF 2018 season earning first team All-Metro, All-State, and Sierra Foothill All-League honors again at guard while also starting at defensive tackle. On defense, Piland took down an estimated 45 ball carriers with 29 tackles for a loss, four sacks, seven quarterback hurries, and forced a fumble. The 6-1.5, 278-pound, Rocklin High School prospect has caught the eye of Oregon State, Nevada, Cal, UCLA, Fresno State, New Mexico State, and UNLV among others heading into his junior campaign.

With another big season ahead, Piland has hit the spring and summer months determined to take the next needed steps to turn recruiting interests into scholarship offers. To cover all that he has going on, Piland stepped inside the RNG Lab for another in-depth interview.

Interview

Bobby, when the 2019 season had ended what did you feel were the overall strengths to your game on offense?

For offense, my pass pro is where I improved the most. My run blocking, I am pretty good at that. For an improved attribute, it was my pass-pro. Most of my pancakes came off pass blocking. Every time we had a pass play, I gave up no sacks and no QB hurries. They were at the line or in the dirt.

Did you guys track pancakes and/or knockdowns?

We did for a couple of games and then lost track.

If you had to guess how many did you get of both in total?

I would say I had about 75 to 80 pancakes, guessing I had about six or seven a game.

What about on defense? How did that part of your game improve?

For me, I thought that my point of attack, getting off the ball, and getting my hands on the linemen improved. Once I got hands on inside it was mostly game over. I was able to make a couple of moves on a passing down to get in the backfield and make something happen. Against the run I did my best. This offseason I am focusing on my pass rush. My tackles for a loss were good last season and I got in the backfield a lot.

As you get older and gain more experience on the field, how is the two-way role in the trenches helping your game on both sides of the ball?

When I play two ways, mentally it is helping me prepare. I am helping the team out; I am needed on offense. We don’t have a bunch of guys to fill my role. They need me on offense, and I will gladly do it. When I do that, it helps our team even more and our chances of winning. Physically it helps me prepare for conditioning. I have been doing this since… I have been playing both ways, averaging 100 to 110 snaps up to 130 snaps a game, for a long time. Late in games I am mentally focused and ready to do what is needed.

What all will we see you do on the field during the 2020 season?

I am playing all the same positions, guard and defensive tackle, and I might play some defensive end. They like to switch me around some on defense. Those are the main positions throughout high school. They talked about throwing the ball to me some too.

Let’s go deeper on that last part. Are they planning on lining you up at tight end or putting you in the backfield as a hair-on-fire running back? At which position are they going to throw you the ball?

We have practiced a play giving me the ball at tight end. I have played fullback in an All-Star game. I practice all of that with my trainer. I do 7v7 to help me with my footwork. Doing that extra training really helps me speed wise. I may get some snaps at tight end, and maybe at running back on the goal line.

That would be cool to see. Throughout the offseason, what have you been working on with your skills on defense?

Mainly working on my change of direction, that is a big one. I am working to have a more explosive step off the ball; I was decent with that last year. This offseason I am getting faster, working on better hips, and working on my athleticism in general. I think my personal strength is good, and I am continuing to work on that. Speed and quickness are a focus. I am a lot faster and quicker.

And on offense?

Working on physicality and my game improvement mentally. From last year, I want to be better focused before and during a play so I am reacting to linebackers or defensive linemen better. I am mentally preparing for the next level as well. Last year I was helping audible if needed for line protections. I am working on pass and run blocking, being faster off the ball, and all the same techniques I have been doing year in and out.

How have you kept the strength and muscle to your game over the spring and summer months?

Usually I would work out six days a week, sometimes twice a day and run. What I was doing was more like three workouts a day. I would workout in the morning, afternoon, and then run or flip tires. I have an agility ladder and cones that I use. I did that, and was constantly doing that. The schedule I kept was like school. This offseason I have been watching my diet eating the right calories, protein, fats, and carbs.

Have you had a chance to max out this offseason?

Not lately. I passed 315 on bench, I am at 365 now on bench. My squat is 500, but I am not sure of the other lifts.

Going into the classroom. What is your cumulative GPA?

My GPA is a 3.8.

What’s your favorite subject in school?

Engineering. That is what I want to do in college.

Last question. What goals have you set for the 2020 season?

Stats wise, defensively I want to get 12 to 15 sacks, average about eight to 10 tackles per game, get four five tackles for a loss per game, and dominate on defense and offense. We will have a really solid team this year, I want to perform the best I can to help lead my team this year.

Bobby, it was great catching up with you today. I appreciate your time.

Thank you.

Player Note: Piland is also a standout in wrestling earning first team All-Section and All-League honors

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Photo credit: Twitter/Piland family; Bobby Piland