Interview: California Teams Already Fearing the Arm of 4-Star 2022 QB Jayden Denegal
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
After throwing for 2,214 yards and 36 touchdowns as a freshman and another 2,260 yards with 34 scores in 2019, Jayden Denegal has the opposition’s full attention. The Apple Valley High School four-star talent has been slinging it in an Air Raid offense making teams pay with full intent to make life even worse for secondaries going forward. If the winter 11-on-11 padded ball club circuit in California is an indication of what Denegal (6-5, 221) can expect this spring when the 2020 season gets going, defenses will most likely be dropping up to eight in a prevent style approach. No worries, just another opportunity for Denegal to show he can take what the defense gives him moving the chains on down the field finding the open patches of grass.
Ahead of the start of the Sun Devils 2020 season, Denegal stopped by the RNG Lab for an update on club ball, workouts, and his scholarship offers.
*Click link for Aug. 2020 RNG video interview with Jayden Denegal
Interview
Jayden, we last touched base back in the early fall. Let’s update everyone on your offseason workouts. What have you been doing to prepare your arm for the Apple Valley Air Raid offense?
This offseason I have had a lot of time to work with my receivers and work on getting our timing down. We played in the Winner’s Circle League, that was a good experience.
How have you kept your guys together to build that chemistry and timing needed for the season?
We throw during the week and on the weekends. We work on our timing routes, and we go over situations and what will happen and then practice it. I feel like we have done well to prepare.
Do you have some favorite routes you like connecting on within the scheme?
I love the 15-yard comeback, that is my favorite.
Playing club ball, which team were you playing with?
My high school team.
Getting those live action reps in 11-on-11 padded ball, where are you showing the improvements in your game?
I got a lot faster. A lot of teams backed off into deep coverage, they didn’t want me to throw it over the heads.
How has your football IQ and understanding of the game improved after all the hard work put into your game this offseason and with the club ball reps?
I can read the field better; the game has slowed down. I know what they are doing. If they blitz, I know what to do.
When fans and college coaches see you spin it during the 2020 season this spring, what are you most excited to showcase?
I am most excited to showcase that 15-yard comeback, I am throwing that really well. I want to show them my deep posts. This season I am ready to show off my big arm.
Going into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
There are a lot of schools showing interest: Washington, Cal, UCLA, Texas A&M, Arizona, Arizona State, and Notre Dame. They are showing pretty good interest.
How many offers have been given to you?
Ten.
Denegal’s Offer Sheet: Arkansas, Auburn, Colorado, Colorado State, Georgia, Michigan State, Oregon State, and Utah
The NCAA may start allowing visits again in June. Are there any schools on your potential list to go visit?
There are a lot of schools I’d like to go visit. Michigan State, the home schools, I want to go back out to Utah again, and Texas A&M. Those are the schools I want to get out to.
The seniors to be seemingly always have a lot of pressure on them to commit earlier than most to be the cornerstone of that program’s recruiting class. Are you feeling that heat to make a decision in the coming weeks or months?
Yeah. I feel like I will start narrowing down my schools soon. But I am not in a huge rush, but it is on my mind.
Jayden, it was great getting time in with you today seeing how your club ball season and workouts have been going. Good luck with the 2020 season this spring.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Denegal family; Jayden Denegal