Interview: Radars Needed Tracking 2018 California QB Chance Nolan Throwing the Pigskin Around
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The scientific method has proven its worth time and time again for mankind. Enough action creates results that can be quantitively measured leading to a body of work that cannot be denied, ignored, or debated. Over the past two seasons, measurable data put up by Class of 2018 quarterback Chance Nolan leaves no room for water cooler deniers. If there are any doubters left, the start to Nolan’s 2017 season should take all the air out of the conversation.
Fitting that the radar was invented during World War II because the device brought forward by Heinrich Hertz is needed when tracking all of Nolan’s long bombs on the field this season. Through three games, Nolan has averaged 294 passing yards per game hitting 57-of-90 pass attempts for 883 yards with eight touchdowns helping Paloma Valley to a 2-1 start.
The advent of Nolan has been two exciting seasons in the making. During his sophomore season, the 6-2, 192 pound, field general sprayed the ball around the yard 147 times for 2,076 yards with 23 touchdowns. He followed that up in 2016 with an even better stat line covering 3,155 yards with 39 scores. One common theme among each season has been his accuracy. In 2015, he hit 64 percent of his passes followed up with 67 last year and is connecting at a rate of 63 percent this season.
An unlikely next level pairing for Nolan came to fruition over the summer. Showing how small the football recruiting universe can be at times, from Menifee (CA) to Murfreesboro (TN), over 2,000 miles away, the Paloma Valley standout was offered and committed to Middle Tennessee State (MTSU) announcing publicly on June 4. Knowing where he will suit up to play at the collegiate level has perhaps helped the two-time All-League and 2016 All-CIF and League Offensive Player of the Year play with an even greater comfort level leading to gaudy statistics and exciting plays on the field.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the future Blue Raider covering his play on the field, the Wildcats’ 2017 squad, and how Middle Tennessee State became his ideal college fit.
Interview
Chance, you are putting up some great stats again this season, what type of offense do the Wildcats run?
“We are a Spread team. We run a Tony Franklin offense (MTSU offensive coordinator), the same type of offense the school I am committed to runs. I have been running this offense since the eighth grade. I have been in the offense for four years now. I have a great grasp of the offense.”
How does the offense suit your abilities?
“I think I am an accurate passer. Spreading out the field the way we do, it gives great spacing allowing me to be accurate. Our receivers are the athletes. They make great plays out there. I let them do what they do best.”
What did you work on during the offseason to prepare for your senior year?
“I worked with my receivers during the offseason and I worked with a QB coach that knows our offense well. A lot of the summer was me going out on my own working on my drops and on timing routes. I played 7v7 with my teammates and I watched a lot of film this offseason. I was prepared for our Week 1 game (Cajon) since the start of the year. I was watching film on them throughout the offseason.”
Which 7v7 teams did you play with during the second season?
“(Inland Empire) IE Ultimate Athletes. Coach Byrd (receivers coach at PV) had a great 7v7 team (E.A.T.) too. Coach Byrd worked with my receivers this offseason. What he has done with Koale Schroeder – he is night and day from last year. Amazing how good he has become.”
Did you go to any college camps this summer?
“Yeah, I went to a couple. I was committed MTSU so I did not go to a lot of camps. I went to a Boise State camp and an Azusa Pacific camp with Utah State and some other schools there.”
How has the teachings at the camps helped you on the field this season?
“A lot of the things they taught us were fundamentals of the position. With coaching quarterbacks, there a lot of different viewpoints. Different coaches have different ways of doing things. Going to the camps have helped me see different plays and routes. I have talked to my coaches about putting some of those plays and routes into our offense. The camps helped me see a lot of different ways to do things as a quarterback and different drills to help get better.”
I have to ask, being from California, how did you get connected to Middle Tennessee State?
“My coaches go to Tony Franklin’s coaching clinic. My dad has been a fan of his since he was at Cal (2013-15). I went to one of his camps when I was a sophomore. My offensive coordinator knows him well. My OC showed him my film, and he liked what he saw. Coach Franklin came by my school in the spring to see me throw. I went out there this summer to visit – it is different there but it is cool.”
What led to your commitment to the Blue Raiders?
“When I went out there, I really liked it. When I went out there, that was my final decision. I thought it was awesome. I really like their staff. It is a big school too. The players are like a family. The coaches were straight up with me and honest. I liked everything about it.”
When do you take your official to Murfreesboro?
“I’m not sure yet. We have not talked about that too much yet.”
Are you recruiting other players to join you on the Blued Raiders squad?
“Oh yeah! On Twitter, when I see guys that have been offered, I talk to them.”
Are any schools still showing interest in you even though you are committed to MTSU?
“I know some coaches have been talking to my coaches. I’m taking it how it is. I am committed to Middle Tennessee State. I know Utah State, San Jose State, Fresno State, and Hawaii are or were showing interest. I think maybe 20 schools came watch me throw in the spring. A couple of Pac-12 came by too. I know Utah really likes my pocket presence.”
How is everything in the classroom?
“I have a 4.3 GPA and I scored an 1120 on the SAT.”
Nice. Let’s turn back towards the 2017 season. With three games under your belt into the 2017 season, how has your game improved from last year?
“I think my leadership is better this year than last year. I could have been more vocal last year, but I am being more vocal this year. We have a lot of young kids, a lot of sophomores and juniors, on the team this year. As a team leader, getting them to buy into what we are doing is important. We are building trust and that bond on the field. When stuff goes wrong you want to be able to tell them to step it up and they do it.”
What are the strengths of your game?
“I think my accuracy is a big strength of my game. My arm strength has increased from my sophomore year. I can make more throws on the field than I could over the last two years. My athleticism has increased as well. I am more of a runner this year. I can extend plays with my feet this year.”
What goals have you set for your senior year?
“I don’t really have any individual goals. My goal is to make a run at a championship. I think we have the talent to do it. This is my senior year, I just want to go out on top. That is all that matters.”
I think it is safe to point out that the 27-5 win on Friday was a big one downing King after the 45-35 playoff loss to them last year. How sweet was that win for you?
“It was really sweet. That has been a rivalry game since my sophomore year. That game was personal for us and we took care of business. It felt good to get that one.”
What games left on the schedule are you excited to play?
“I’m excited for all of them. If I had to pick one, it would be our crosstown rival Heritage (Nov. 3). But, we have to take it one game at a time and see how it goes week to week before looking ahead.”
Chance, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your season.
“Thank you.”
Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com FREE!
If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!
Photo credit: The Press-Enterprise; No. 5 Chance Nolan rifles a pass
Photo credit: Nolan family; Chance Nolan at MTSU (July 17, 2017)
Photo credit: The Press-Enterprise; No. 5 Chance Nolan scrambles for yards