Interview: Breakout Season Ahead for 2023 Texas WR/DB Jude Bentley
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The 2020 season was a foreshadowing of events on the field at Pottsboro High School for Class of 2023 receiver/athlete Jude Bentley. The 6-1, 180-pound, underclassman pushed his way into the Cardinals’ rotation on offense becoming one of the team’s top targets. As the only sophomore on the varsity roster, Bentley hauled in 19 passes for 234 yards with four scores giving Texas football fans a glimpse of what he can do on the field. Taking his impressive position as the only sophomore impacting the game to another level, Bentley also got time in the Cardinals defense ending 11 plays, six solo, with one pass broken up.
With a heavy loss of seniors off the Cardinals’ 2020 squad, Bentley steps into a featured role this fall as a rare two-way starter for Pottsboro. For an update on how he is preparing for his breakout junior campaign, Bentley stopped by the RNG Lab.
Interview
Jude, the Cardinals’ coaching staff showed a lot of trust in you during the 2020 season setting up isolation opportunities for you to burn opposing Texas defenses. What was working for you allowing for the breakthrough sophomore campaign?
It was the trust that my quarterback and I built. During the games, I was talking to my coaches about what I am seeing and how the defender is playing me. That helped the team and the coaches for play calls. I had a big receiver on the opposite side in Titus Lyons. They’d double him, which helped me get me one on ones.
Within the team’s Spread offense, what were some of the routes you were running?
They had me running a lot of goes, posts, slants, and screen passes. Those were the main ones, and with some stops. It depended on the defense. On the outside, I was more a vertical threat. I was in the slot some too. At slot, I was running more intermediate routes.
When you wrapped the 2020 season, what did you feel were the strengths to your game?
I thought I created separation, was getting off the line, and off the press really well. In the playoffs, they pressed us. My hands were a strength too. Even in traffic, I was coming down with the ball.
Throughout this offseason, what all have you been working on as a receiver?
I have been working on my speed, strength, and agility. I have been going to a training place in Southern Oklahoma, C4 with Sean Cooper. They help me a lot at C4.
You got some snaps in on defense last year, will we see more of you on that side of the ball this fall?
Yes. My coaches have talked to me about starting both ways. They were worried about it last year, not wanting people starting both ways. We lost a lot of seniors. In 7v7, they had me going both ways.
At which position on defense might you be playing?
I will probably be at safety.
How have you been preparing for that role on defense?
I have been working on getting out of my breaks faster – I’ve been training a lot on that, reading offenses and quarterbacks. That has helped me knowing where they will be.
To add more speed and agility to your skills, what kind of exercises and drills have you been doing?
Weight lifting, pushing sleds, working on my 40, band exercises, and running with parachutes.
Do you compete in any other varsity sports?
I run track.
Which events?
They had me in the 4×1, 4×2, and 4×4.
Nice. You mentioned playing 7v7 earlier, did you play on a travel team?
Yes, C4 had a 7v7 team.
Where all did C4 travel for tournaments?
We went all around Texas and Oklahoma. We were going to Las Vegas, but I couldn’t go because of a conflict with school.
Taking on top national competition in 7v7 tournaments, how has that helped you as a receiver?
It helps a lot. Going down in Pylon and Battle tournaments, I was going up against D-I corners. That helps me develop as a player.
Getting to stack up your skills against those top players, were you holding your own?
Oh yeah. I play with confidence. There was not a time I thought a guy was better than me. I did well against them at that level of competition.
I love it. Have you been to any college camps this summer?
Yes, I went to SMU’s mega camp.
How did that camp go for you?
It was really good. There was a lot of top talent there. We did one on ones. I went 5 of 6.
Jude, I appreciate your time today. Wishing you the best of luck with your ongoing preparations for the upcoming 2021 season.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Photo credit: Bentley family; Jude Bentley