Interview: Emerging 3-Star 2020 Arizona OT Tosh Baker Talks Big Season and Recruiting
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The 2018 season was a breakout year for Tosh Baker. The 6-8, 273-pound, offensive tackle attracted a lot of attention at Pinnacle High School blocking for one of the nation’s top-rated Class of 2019 quarterbacks in Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma). The Pioneers put together an 11-2 season going against 6A Arizona competition seeing their new lineman show out along the way. Baker’s season was so sensational 16 Division I scholarship offers have come in from some of the top schools and programs from across the country.
To learn more about Baker’s growing talents in the trenches and exploding recruiting process, I sat down for an in-depth one-on-one interview.
Interview
Tosh, Pinnacle had a fantastic season going 11-2 with a semifinal run into the playoffs. With all the tough teams you guys played, how did your overall game as a blocker improve?
“From the first to the last game, I got more comfortable as the season went along. The first couple of games, it was my first time starting varsity. I was nervous blocking for (QB) Spencer (Rattler). I was over thinking what I was doing out there. Then I just started playing and stopped overthinking everything. That helped as the season went on, that’s when I got more comfortable.”
What do you feel are the strengths to your game as a run blocker?
“I feel like once I get my hands on the defender, I do a great job of moving my feet and driving him. I pride myself on being more physical than my opponent and driving them across the field. I am a pretty tall kid, over the summer I worked on keeping my hips down to play with better leverage. Towards the end of the season I was playing with better leverage. Playing basketball has helped me with my footwork. It has certainly helped me with my lateral movement.”
And what about your pass-pro, what are the strengths to that part of your skillset?
“My footwork, that comes with basketball. I feel like my length and wingspan helps. I can lock dudes out, they have a tough time reaching me because of my long arms.”
Was there a defensive line or lineman that challenged you during your junior season?
“The JSerra game, the guy I was going against is going to San Diego State. He bounced around from end to tackle and even played some running back in that game scoring a couple of touchdowns; he was a good athlete. He challenged our entire offensive line. He moved well even though he was thicker.
“The O’Conner game was another. That was after the JSerra game. Bralen Trice and I went at it; he is a commit to Washington. That was a great game for me, he had some good plays and I had some. That game built up my confidence.”
How did the challenge in the JSerra game help make you better?
“From that point on, I stopped overthinking and just started playing. In the second half of that game, I started doing what I do best, not reacting to my opponent and being more physical.”
Which game do you feel was your best?
“My best game was the O’Conner game. I played well, and we passed a lot. Blocking for Spencer, you just go for it. Me and my offensive line gave him time to get the ball out and opened up lanes for him to run. That was a big-time game for us.”
With the offseason here, what are you focusing on with your workouts?
“I finish up basketball in January, but I am still lifting. When basketball is over I will be living in the weight room. The goal is to get a lot stronger.”
Going into recruiting, which schools are showing interest but have not offered?
“I am receiving interest from Vanderbilt, Auburn, and Alabama.”
I know you have a lot of offers, how many do you have now?
“I have 16 offers.”
*Baker’s offer sheet: Notre Dame, Arizona, Arizona State, Michigan, Northwestern, Indiana, UCLA, Utah, Duke, Cal, Oklahoma State, Utah, Washington State, USC, and Oklahoma
Which programs were the last couple to offer?
“Notre Dame, USC, Michigan, Cal, Oregon, and Indiana.”
Very nice. Which schools have you visited so far?
“I have visited all the home schools, UA and ASU, and I have visited UCLA, USC, and Notre Dame.”
How did the Arizona visit go?
“It went well. Me and some buddies from my team, we are going out again in late January for a Junior Day visit.”
What about ASU, how did that go?
“It was a good visit. I went to three of their games this season. I went down there with my buddies the first two times and I went with my family the third time. It was a good experience.”
And Notre Dame, how did that go?
“It was a great experience. It was a good weekend trip. We went in on Friday to Chicago and then drove to South Bend. We were at a nice hotel that was next to the campus. We got up on Saturday and went over there to the players’ lounge. We took some pics in the jerseys, that was cool, and then we went on a bus tour around the campus. They had a couple of ladies giving us the history of the campus. It was nice because it was not too busy, it was during finals.
“After that, we came back for lunch, went up to the press box to see the stadium, and then we watched practice. It was a practice before the Clemson game – it was high-tempo and very physical. Coach (Brian) Kelly (head coach) does a great job with structure of practice. I saw how Coach (Jeff) Quinn works. I got to see his aggressive ways, he wants them to get after it. He will also slow it down so the guys can get it right. We finished up the day being called up to Coach Kelly’s office. He offered us in person, that was a great experience.”
Sounds like it. Do you have any planned visits set?
“We have an Arizona visit set for Jan. 19. I am planning out visits to a couple other schools but nothing is firmly set yet.”
Getting dirty in the trenches takes a certain mindset, what do you love about playing football to get into that mindset?
“My favorite part, our offensive line, we all share the same mindset. We get after it in practice and then we go have a meal afterwards. We share a culture. We are different people. We are very protective of our QB and we all care about each other. When it is time, we get after it.”
When it is hot outside, your tired, and a practice seems like it is lasting forever, what keeps you motivated?
“A couple of things. In practice, with our culture we do not want to let each other down or let our teammates down. The offense starts with the offensive line, if we do not do our job they cannot do their job.”
What is the team mindset now getting ready for next season?
“We are coming back even stronger next season. We are working hard. I promise you we will come back even stronger next year.”
Tosh, it was great learning more about your game and getting the inside story on your recruiting. Thank you.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Baker family; Tosh Baker at Notre Dame and Arizona State (2018)