Interview: Dynamic 3-Star California QB Zevi Eckhaus is a Top Underrated 2021 Recruit
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Regardless of how the 2020 high school football season plays out in California, teams that have to face Culver City every year will be happy it is over seeing Zevi Eckhaus graduate. The 6-1, 200-pound, dual-threat is one of the most prolific players in his class packing the stats with his leadership and victories.
Being dynamic in the pocket means less if it does not count for something. After getting snaps in with the Centaurs as a freshman, Eckhaus’ product over the last two seasons has produced a 24-4 record. The 2017 season provided a snippet of what he could do, ending with 374 yards on 27 of 35 passing with four scores. Since then, he’s given writer’s cramps to statisticians trying to keep up.
The sophomore season in 2018 ended with All-State honors after throwing for 3,487 yards with 50 scores while rushing 35 times for 111 yards with two trips into the end zone. The hard work put into his offseason paid dividends a year ago connecting on 263 of 371 passes for 4,456 yards sporting a 59/7 touchdown to interception ratio. The 71 percent completion rate stands out, as does his 322 rush yards on 60 totes with six more scores going up on the board.
Eckhaus has the full compliment collegiate offensive coordinators desire. He can make all the Saturday throws, understands his offense and the schemes trying to prevent it, and he has wheels to keep plays alive and drives going. Despite all the tools and numbers to back his worthiness, the three-star recruit remains one of the more underrated talents in his class looking at the big picture.
In an in-depth RNG one-on-one, Eckhaus breaks down his game in the pocket for us with an update on his offseason workouts and recruiting process.
Interview
Zevi, I want to start today’s interview by telling you what you do on the field is unfair. You have an arm to make any throw you want, you have poise, great mobility in the pocket, and you have wheels to get downfield moving the chains with your legs. An honest question, is there an area of your game that lags in comparison to other Class of 2021 quarterbacks?
I personally believe that I can always improve in all areas, like my legs and my arm. There is always room for improvement. I don’t try to compare myself to others but to make the best version of myself every day.
It is obvious I love the skills you bring to the field. In your own words, how would you describe your play at quarterback?
I’d say fierce, brave, and gutsy. I’m willing to take chances that some might not, I embrace that. I want to lead a team, that is the QB job. If you are not gutsy, it is hard to have a team follow behind you if you are not giving it your best. I feel as if I am a strong leader.
Culver City has had a lot of success these last three years, I give credit to my team and coaches. They have helped me become a strong leader and competitor, that has helped all of us.
The stats are ridiculous, do you know if you are close to setting any school and/or state records?
I believe there is a record for the most passing touchdowns in California that I am coming close to, but I don’t know them or the yardage. That is not my focus. It would be great to have a record, but that is not my prime focus going into the season.
What style of offense are you executing?
We run a Spread/no-huddle with four receivers on the field 90 percent of the time. We use the Air Attack offense incorporating the run, but we use the pass to set up the run. When we run effectively, drawing the safety in, we go over the top.
Looks like the short, intermediate, and vertical routes are all in the playbook. Which ones were you throwing to last season?
At Culver City we run a wide variety of routes. That is something Coach Wright does really well. We have multiple routes and schemes, short, intermediate, and deep on every play. We were connecting on all them, left, right, and over the top. That is what makes us successful to hit anywhere on the field.
Are you running the same offense this season?
I believe so, unless there were some changes added this offseason. To the best of my knowledge we are running the same offense.
Which areas of you game have you continued to fine-tune throughout the offseason?
This offseason I have been working with Lucas O’Conner, a former alumnus, to improve my structure and form to become more fluid. I run outside my house to increase speed. I really focused on fixing my form and structure to be more fluid with a tighter spiral.
Go ahead, scare all the opposing teams on the Centaurs’ 2020 schedule… where are you seeing the improvements in your game with the hard work put into your skills?
That will show when the season starts, how much work we’ve been putting in. I am not a talk first play second kind of guy. I let my play do the talking. It will come on Friday at the end of the game. The scoreboard will show it, I am out there to play football.
How are you keeping the chemistry tight with your receivers this offseason?
I believe that a lot of the seniors, working with them safely over the quarantine, we’ve emphasized timing and chemistry with one another. This year we will be even more efficient than last year.
What is the practice schedule for the team this fall?
We are hoping to get back around Oct. 19, that is the aim. There might be a slow process to how much we practice. We are waiting to see how everything plays out. Once we get back, assuming it will be near every day practicing. We are looking to get back on Oct. 19.
Let’s talk recruiting. Which schools have offered?
Colgate, Sacred Heart, and William & Mary.
Have you had a chance to visit any campuses?
In July, I flew out to New York and then drove to multiple schools on the east coast to see the campuses. I got a feel for what it is like. I did not get to meet the staff, but got a feel for the college life on campus.
Virtual visits became popular over the spring and summer months. During that time did you get to take any virtual visits?
Yes. It was great being able to speak with the different staffs, being more familiar with them.
Which schools did you see?
Colgate, Bryant, Northern Arizona, Columbia, Yale, and Dartmouth.
Zevi, thanks for your time today and good luck with your offseason workouts this fall.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Eckhaus family; Zevi Eckhaus