Interview: Oaks Christian WR Ty Shamblin Turning It on for Senior Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
When the junior season rolls into the offseason, all high school athletes start dreaming about how they want their senior year to go. Without benefit of knowing what lies ahead, hours upon hours of work is put into their respective game living on hope of an outcome that comes close to the dream. For Oaks Christian receiver Ty Shamblin, he is making the most of his time on the gridiron this season and all the hard work put in is paying off.
Shamblin was a key player for the Lions’ 12-1 season a year ago helping Oaks Christian to an amazing run to the Division-I California semifinal round. The Lions ended with a No. 16 national ranking (MaxPreps) seeing their emerging receiver secure 23 passes for 343 yards making six trips into the end zone. Five games into his senior season, the 6-0, 185-pound, target has surpassed last year’s numbers with 32 receptions for 345 yards and two scores going up on the board. As team-first players do, Shamblin is also showing out on defense playing safety and corner adding 13 tackles, 12 solo, with three pass breakups to his statistical output. Off the field, Shamblin is a true-student athlete carrying a 4.13 cumulative GPA with a 1260 scored on the SAT.
In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down with one of California’s fast-rising senior receiver talents learning more about his two offers and growing recruiting interest.
Interview
Ty, you are having a great senior season so far leading Oaks Christian in receptions and yards. What are you doing on the field allowing for such a productive year?
“Using my head more this year. I am playing smarter after working with my coach over the offseason. I am getting into the holes so my quarterback can get the ball to me.”
The quarterbacks obviously trust you, how have you built that chemistry and bond over time so whoever is in the pocket knows they can sling No. 13’s way?
“I have a good relationship with our quarterbacks on and off the field. We watch film together so we are on the same page.”
You have the out route down to move the chains, what are some of the other top routes you are running this season?
“The out, like you said, and the bubble – we run that one a lot to use my speed and I can make people miss. I am running corner routes, in-out-and-up, and some option routes that break off depending on the defense. It is up to me to find the open gap in the defense.”
Which areas of your game on offense do you feel have shown the most improvement so far?
“My ability to break faster, my routes are better and crisper, and I am finding the open gap without the defense catching up.”
You are getting time in on defense this season as well. Where all are you lining up and what are your on-the-field responsibilities?
“On defense, at the beginning of the season I was at safety but now I am at corner. I am able to get out of my breaks quickly and I can cover receivers well.”
How is that part of your game coming around?
“Really well. I did not play defense at all last season. It was a big step, but I was ready. My backpedal has improved a lot. Watching film has helped me a lot. I know what routes are coming because of watching film.”
Which game this season has been your best and why do you consider that to be your best?
“Murrieta Valley was my best. I had 10 catches for 135 yards with one touchdown and I had 84 yards on kick return.”
The Lions have four league games left. What do you want to accomplish before the regular season is finished?
“My goals for the rest of the season is to be the top target for my quarterbacks. I want to get open for them and use my speed to break coverages so we can win league. With the addition of (receiver) Bryce Farrell back, I want to be the under threat to his over the top threat. I will use the small routes to break off the coverage and mess with the defense. I’d like to get 50 receptions this year, and, hopefully, we will be in the playoffs this year.”
Turning to recruiting. Which schools have offered you so far?
“I have offers from Air Force and Columbia.”
Nice. Which schools are showing interest?
“Boise State, Yale, Princeton, Penn, Oregon State, San Diego, and San Diego State are all showing interest.”
Have you visited any schools over the offseason to this fall?
“Yes. I have taken unofficial visits to Washington, Oregon State, Eastern Washington and some to Ivy League schools like Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Penn and Columbia.”
How did the visit to Columbia go?
“It was really cool. I loved the coaches there. Columbia has a great vibe. They treat players like they are at home. They have a real team bond and a brotherhood that was cool to see. At Columbia, you are in the middle of New York too.”
And the Penn visit, how did that go?
“I really loved Penn. They have a great atmosphere there and they treated me like one of their own. I did a camp there this summer. Their receiver coach, Coach (Rich) Ulrich was cool. He helped me out a lot with tips and pointers. From a historical aspect, the school was really cool.”
Are there any planned visits ahead?
“No. I will talk to my coaches this week. We will start planning out those visits.”
Ty, it was great talking with you today and learning more about your game. Wishing you and the team success the rest of the way.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Shamblin family; Ty Shamblin at Oregon State and Harvard