Interview: Ridiculous Upside for Big and Fast 2019 Nevada RB Cameron Wiley
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Despite his nine scholarship offers, Cameron Wiley may be the 2019 running back with the most potential and upside the entire college football landscape has not heard about… yet. Due to transfer rules in Nevada, Wiley sat out during his junior season after moving from Silverado to Desert Pines High School. All that rests within the 6-2, 195-pound, talent is a bundle of hard running energy with a legit burst of blazing breakaway speed.
The only tape on Wiley is from his sophomore year. Even then, one could see his talents starting to emerge and take hold. Most fast guys like to dance in the hole or try to use their cutback speed 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage to out run the entire defense losing big yards along the way; not Wiley. Wiley hits the hole, and hits it hard, lowering his shoulder to bounce off defenders and uses his deceptive strength to drag the pile forward for more yards.
After a season on the Jaguars practice field, Wiley has emerged amped up for a senior season sure to draw a lot of attention. On April 29, Wiley competed in the Nike Opening Regional in Los Angeles putting his skills and speed to the test against some of the best players in the country. Before the competition began, the players go through a gauntlet of drills which includes running a 40-yard dash. Wiley ran the 40-yard dash four times posting a 4.39 on the first go, then a 4.43 and 4.48 with each of the first three scratched due to a “false step” on his start. Official time or not, Wiley is a speed burner.
The potential Wiley brings to the field has college coaches excited. Nine collegiate offensive coordinators want him on their roster as part of the 2019 class; Oregon, Utah, Kansas, Minnesota, Southern Utah, BYU, Utah State, UNLV, and Arizona. Interest is growing over the offseason with more sure to come once the lights go on for the 2018 high school football season.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down for an in-depth one-on-one interview with one of the best kept secrets in the 2019 class covering his offseason workouts and recruiting process.
Interview
Cameron, how did your junior season go overall practicing with Desert Pines?
“When I first came over I was cleared, but then I was denied. After I was denied, I helped out in practice. We had a young running back corps, I did more teaching last year than anything. I was there to show the younger guys the ropes.”
Did you get to put the pads on in practice to stay sharp and keep progressing with your game?
“Oh, yes! I stayed in pads. I think we have the best running back coach in the country, Coach David Hill. Coach Hill brought up my game a lot. I learned a lot of new things with him; carrying the ball tighter and doing a better jump cut. He brought my game up a lot last season.”
As a tall running back, how often do you think you surprise defenders with how hard you run?
“A lot of people think because I am tall, that I am not that fast. In my mind, I am always thinking six points. It just comes out of me when I am on the field. I’ve always ran hard – it is just in me on the field.”
What are some of the other standout traits of your game as a running back?
“My football IQ, I have good field vision – I am not a tunnel vision runner, I can reverse the field and go downhill. I am a team player – I block for others. It is not always about me on the field. I am a multi-tasking running back.”
Is there an area of your game that gets overlooked?
“Maybe my cutting abilities. That gets overlooked. I usually outrun my opponents so coaches do not see me cut that much on my film.”
What are you working on this offseason?
“This offseason my coach and I are working on getting my agility up, my speed training, explosive drills, hitting my holes harder, staying skinny through the hole, and accelerating on through the defense.”
When do you guys start spring ball?
“We started May 1.”
Where all will you line up during the 2018 season?
“I will be at running back and I might be at slot and safety.”
Are you excited about safety?
“If it is to help team, yes. Wherever the coach needs me, that is where I will go.”
On offense, are the coaches going to use in you in a different way during the upcoming season?
“A lot of our running plays will be tosses and plays to the outside. My coach knows my playing style, I like to use my speed on the outside.”
Have you attended any camps this offseason?
“I went to the Rivals and the Nike Opening in LA.”
How did the Nike camp go?
“It went well.”
Did you run a 40 at the Nike camp?
“I ran a 4.39, but they did not give it to me.”
What?
“I ran it four times. My second 40 was a 4.43 and my third was a 4.48. By the time I ran my fourth one, I was kind of over it.”
Why did they scratch your first three times?
“They said I used a false step on my start.”
Let’s go into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered?
“Cal, they are a big one showing interest, and UCLA.”
How many offers do you have now?
“I have nine now. I was offered by BYU and Utah State this week.”
*shortly after this interview was posted, Wiley received offer No. 10 from Hawaii
Congratulations.
“Thank you.”
Which colleges have come by school to meet with you this offseason or watch your workout?
“San Diego State, Utah, Oregon, UCLA, and Alabama have come by school this offseason.”
Have you taken any unofficial visits in 2018?
“Yes. I have been to Utah State, Weber State, Utah, BYU, Arizona, Arizona State, Minnesota, and UCLA.”
How did the BYU visit go?
“It was a very good visit. The BYU coaches are phenomenal. They have a great stadium, great academics, and the campus is great. The atmosphere there is great as well. The people at BYU were welcoming.”
How did the UCLA visit go?
“I am from California, it is always great to go back home. The coaches were real with me. They kept everything 100 percent with me. They talked about how they would use me within their offense. I was there for a spring practice/Junior Day visit; I heard from the players and why they love it there. The visit definitely encouraged me to keep them in mind throughout the recruiting process. The coaches keep in touch with me.”
Do you have any planned visits upcoming?
“On July 2, I am going to Oregon. This summer I am planning on going to Texas and Texas A&M and then to Kentucky and Louisville.”
Do you participate in any other sports for Desert Pines?
“I run track.”
Which events?
“The 100, 200, 400, and relays.”
You’re a busy man out there. Which is your best individual event?
“The 100 is my best.”
What is your best time in the 100?
“I think my best is an 11-flat. I think I ran that my sophomore year.”
Some fun and random questions to wrap up. Are you doing anything fun this summer away from football?
“Yes. I am going to a family reunion in Orlando, Florida, this summer.”
Is there one thing most people would be surprised to find out about you?
“They might be surprised to find out that I use to take culinary classes. I plan on taking a culinary class again during my senior year.”
What do you love about playing football?
“I love the game and the process. I was raised into football. Everyone in my family played football. Football is just part of my life. I eat, sleep, and dream about football. I even sleep with a football. To be with my brothers on the field, winning games, and celebrating, that makes a family bond. I like making long lasting relationships.”
Cameron, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your spring practices.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Wiley family; Cameron Wiley (left) at BYU (May, 2018)