Interview: Dominating 4-Star 2020 DT Jamar Sekona Covers Season and Recruiting

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Among the high school, and even in the college ranks, sometimes there is just a lineman that is better than the rest and there is not much the opposition can do but hope they can stymie said player a time or two to sneak a couple of plays past him. When it comes to California offenses trying to scheme against Class of 2020 Marin Catholic defensive tackle Jamar Sekona there was little teams could do to stop him even when trying to double-team him. And with another offseason grind already underway, it does not look like opposing teams have a chance when the 2019 season rolls around.

Sekona is the definition of a difference maker and an impact player on the gridiron. At 6-4, 305-pounds, he is already in the prototypical range in size. Adding to his ability to dominate, the hard work in the weight room is paying off seeing Sekona collapse the will of lines and pockets play after play. That talent to disrupt plays and create chaos for offenses in the trenches has not gone unnoticed among the college professionals. So far, seven offers have been extended from the likes of USC, Arizona State, Arizona, Cal, Oregon State, Nevada, and San Jose State. The interest is spreading outside of Pac-12 and Mountain West circles getting into SEC and Big Ten camps.

In an RNG exclusive, I sat down with one of the nation’s top 2020 defensive tackles going in-depth on the skills, offseason goals, and recruiting process for Mr. Sekona.

Interview

Jamar, I have to start the interview off asking how opposing offensive linemen treat you? Are they nice to you in hopes you will go easy, are they crying because they are scared, or do they try to act tough and talk a lot of noise?

(Laughs) “Honestly, no one has ever talked trash to me. I don’t talk trash either. I don’t dance after a big play, I just play the game. The majority of the time, when I see them looking at me I can see the fear in their eyes. Most are scared to play against me, some come up giving their best but it is hard to block me one-on-one.”

You do a great job of collapsing the pocket putting guards and centers on roller-skates. Was there a player that challenged you in 2018, and helped make you better because of that challenge?

“Honestly, there haven’t been that many times that players have really challenged me for an entire game. A guard on our team, Ethan Dirienzo, he has given me the biggest challenge. He has a great motor, he works, and he taught me how to be a better defensive lineman. On other teams, McClymonds (Oakland) has had a few guards that have been fun to compete against.”

Your strength and power off the snap is impressive. What kind of numbers are you throwing around in the weight room?

“My sophomore year I broke the school lifting records. On bench my max is around 350. My max on squat is a rep of three putting me at 425 repping that out. I am going for a squat of 475 coming up. We don’t deadlift, but I have here and there. I am around 400 on deadlift.”

Nice. How did your overall game improve during your junior season?

“I started my freshman year at a different school but then coming to Marin is another level of intensity. Because my speed and conditioning improved, that helped me improve overall. I was not used to playing both sides of the ball and on every snap. I had to be ready for each snap and getting the other guy on the floor.”

What are some of the other things you feel you do well on the field?

“My pad level, my strike, and I have good size for a defensive tackle. I do a good job of finding the ball and my pursuit is good.”

Will we see you at multiple positions during your senior year?

“Yes. I am playing defensive tackle and offensive guard. I might move around on the offensive line. I might play some tight end. I played tight end before, and not just as a blocker but also catching the ball.”

I feel for the safety or corner that has to try to drag you down. Which areas of your game are you going to work on this offseason?

“My goal is to improve on three big things – on the field conditioning. I have to be ready for next season to play both ways again as a starter. My second big area is my motor and my mindset. When I pursue the ball I am looking to destroy the guy. The third things are my pad level and strike. I am working to stay low and get off the ball. I want to put them on skates from the first hit.”

What are college coaches telling you they like about your skills?

“Coaches are telling me they love my athleticism, brute strength, and my athleticism. I can do cartwheels and hand stands. They like my violet strikes and how I put the guy down. They like my aggressive side.”

How many offers do you have now?

“I have seven.”

Nice. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?

“Oregon, UCLA, Iowa, and LSU are the main ones. My coach is talking to some as well.”

Do you have any planned visits you may take in the coming months?

“Yes. I want to check out ASU, Arizona, Cal, and USC. I am looking forward to seeing Oregon, I have not been there yet. That will be fun. I might check out Iowa and some schools that way as well.”

Do you plan on playing any other varsity sports for MC?

“My freshman year I played rugby, wrestled, and competed in track. I might play rugby and compete in track this year.”

Which events?

“The shot and discus.”

How have those events gone for you in previous seasons?

“I made it to the Meet of Champions, which is before state. I made the Top 8, I got sixth; they take the Top 4. That was right before state. I broke the school record for shot.”

Nice. Last question, it is a tough one. Clemson and Alabama are set to square off in the national championship game, who do you think will win?

“That is a tough one, both are competitors. I’m giving it to Alabama. Watching them play, they are ready on both sides of the ball. Alabama’s second man in is as good as their first. I think they will bring it.”

Jamar, it was great talking to you today and learning more about your game. Good luck with your offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Jamar Sekona at Nike Regional San Francisco (2018)