Interview: All the Talents for 3-Star 2022 RB/ATH Javen Jacobs Were on Display with Saguaro
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Throughout Saguaro High School’s 2020 football season, Javen Jacobs was enforcing his will making plays in all three phases of the game. On offense, he carried the pigskin 31 times for 290 yards with a score, hauled in 24 passes for 392 yards with four trips into the end zone, and even threw a 37-yard pass. In the kicking game, he took back six punts for 147 and three kicks for 57. Despite having limited snaps on defense, the 5-10.5, 185-pound, player showed why he is considered a tremendous athlete getting a pick, a tackle for a loss, and nine stops.
After wrapping the Sabercats seven-game schedule, Jacobs notched first team All-State and All-Region honors, named a finalist for Arizona Player of the Year, and earned Return Specialist of the Year. With his efforts have come six scholarship offers.
To talk about it all, Jacobs made a stop at the RNG Lab for a detailed conversation.
Interview
Javen, the film does not lie, you turned in an explosive season for the Sabercats in 2020. For you personally, how did the season go?
Honestly, it went well. On offense I was showing my versatility between running back and slot. I was playing both ways, I played safety on defense. I was trying to do my part to help my team win and make the most of the opportunities given to me. This season I wanted to show out and do what I do at the highest levels possible.
Your burst and breakaway speed allowed you to line up and do a lot of different things within the offensive scheme. You just mentioned playing running back and slot, during your junior run and how were the coaches getting the ball to you?
In the slot, on screen plays, fade balls, and any play they’d give me I would execute. On my film it shows that. I tried to make the most of the reps in games. With a shortened season, you don’t get a lot of opportunities.
At running back, sometimes they’d motion me out or to the slot. My coach schemed up things for me. I was getting plays in space and getting the ball on inside and outside zone plays, pitches and swing routes. My quarterback would put the ball on me on a swing or deep route.
From the start of the season to the end, which areas of your game showed the most growth on offense?
My route running and my ability to let my blocks set up. In the games I did better, I was being more patient in those games allowing those blocks to set up to score. Throughout the season, I kept trying to rise up and get better. With each rep, I got better and was making more plays.
In which games did you ball out turning in your best performance?
In the Casteel and Hamilton games, I calmed down and made the most of the plays I had. This season was different, it was a shorter season, but I played my best in those games. In the Horizon game too; that was also a good game for me.
The coaches got you going on the other side of the ball as well. What were you doing on defense to help your team win games?
Most of the time, I was coming up from the safety position. On passes, I was helping over the top. There were not too many deep balls thrown on me this season. I was mostly coming up to support the run. Our defense was lockdown all defense.
If that was not enough, you also shinned as a return specialist. Putting this all together, in how many different ways to you score the rock in 2020?
Punt return, handoffs, and receiving.
In which games did your return skills shine?
On punt return in the Hamilton game, that was a big return. When receiving punts, I feel natural. I can make things happen with the ball in my hands. I feel comfortable on kick and punt return. Against Casteel and Maricopa, I had big returns in those games.
As that versatile player for Saguaro, where all might you line up during the 2021 schedule?
During the 2021 season, my coach plans on using me the same way as this year, at running back and slot, and in the return game as well. I will play defense throughout the whole year, that will help the team more. They will be using me the exact same way for my senior season.
What are you working on this offseason with your fundamentals?
I have been training and trying to get faster. I have been working on my strength as well. Footwork and speed have been big for me. During this offseason, while playing baseball, I will keep training and keep working to be ready for the season.
Have you posted a recent 40 time? If so, what did you run?
A 4.5.
Nice. Camp season is kicking into high gear, have you been to any yet or do you have any coming up you may attend?
None yet. I went to Under Armour and Rivals last year but I have not been to any since then.
Are you playing 7v7 this winter?
I may go to a few tournaments with my high school team. Saguaro is the priority.
Let’s close talking about recruiting. Which programs are showing interest?
Nebraska, UNLV, Cal, Northwestern, Stanford, Yale, Harvard, and Oregon State.
How many offers have been given to you?
Six.
Which program was the first?
My first was ASU and my most recent was CSU.
Jacobs’ Offer Sheet: Arizona State, Colorado, Colorado State, Idaho, New Mexico, and Northern Arizona
Looking ahead, are there any visits as of right now that you’d like to take?
Yes, I plan on visiting whichever schools are showing interest after my spring. I did a self-guided tour at Colorado and I plan on going back to Boulder on an official. But as of right now, I have no plans. When I was at Boulder, I did not get to see their facilities. I do plan on going back.
Javen, I enjoyed our time together today. Wishing you and the team best of luck this spring on the diamond.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Jacobs family; Javen Jacobs