Interview: Rising 2018 California WR Isac Velasquez Updates Fresno State Visit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

College coaches looking for a speedy do-everything kind of player on offense are starting to locate Isac Velasquez. Velasquez was the straw the stirred the offense for Alta Loma High School last season pulling in 50 passes for 998 yards with 11 scores while taking 17 handoffs for 229 yards posting another score on the board. The off-season has brought about a change of schools, now attending Diamond Ranch, and an opportunity for scouts to see just how fast he really is on the gridiron. On Feb. 8, Velasquez posted a 4.49 40-yard dash and followed that up on March 15 with a 4.45 attracting college recruiters like flies to honey. One school that got an early shot at impressing Velasquez was Fresno State.

Programs like Cal, Colorado, Princeton, San Jose State, Navy, and Army are picking up their interest levels in the 5-10, 173 pound, speedster. Velasquez has taken unofficial visits to USC, San Diego State and University of San Diego. Over the weekend, another program showing high levels of interest, Fresno State, hosted the California product for their spring game on an unofficial visit. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Velasquez to find out how the trip went with a recruiting update.

Interview

Isac, who went with you to Fresno State over the weekend?

“One of my coaches from Diamond Ranch.”

When did you arrive in Fresno?

“We arrived at 9:30 Saturday morning.”

Did you tour any areas of the campus or facilities?

“Yes. Right when I got there we went to the weight room. Their strength coach (Andy Ward) was talking about how they train each player and how they work different muscle groups. The spoke about player’s nutrition and the importance of that within their program. We saw a little bit of their training room, study hall, and recreation room. We also got to see their team meeting area and their specific unit meeting rooms. We saw the locker room too.”

Who showed you around the facilities and campus?

“We went with their director of player personnel, Coach Spencer Harris.”

What was your overall impression of the campus and facilities?

“I thought it was beautiful. It was similar to Cal’s setup. It was very traditional.”

You were there for their spring game, correct?

“Yes.”

What did you think of the team’s practice for their spring game?

“I felt like I could fit into their offense. They ran the hurry up offense, an 11 personnel setup. The coaches had a lot of passion out there. You could tell that the coaches care about the players.”

Which coaches did you meet with at Fresno State?

“I met one-on-one with J.D. Williams (defensive backs coach) for about 30-45 minutes in his office afterwards.”

What did Coach Williams talk about with you?

“We talked about my collegiate outlook, my possibility of attending Fresno State, and he talked about his DB coaching philosophy. He also talked about Mountain West Conference football. He said he is looking forward to recruiting me. It was a very productive visit.”

Just to understand, why did you meet with Fresno State’s defensive backs coach?

“He sees me as a defensive back. He likes my speed. He wants defensive backs that will transition well from receiver to a defensive back. He wants guys that can move around. He is also my area recruiter.”

I understand better now. Thank you. How do you feel about playing defensive back in college rather than playing receiver or slot back?

“I can see myself playing defensive back. I noted some DBs on their team. One I noted was Anthoula Kelly, he is No. 6. He is 5-9, 195. Another DB I watched was JuJu Hughes, No. 23. He is 5-10, 180. That drew me in a little more. I was also looking at the receivers. One of their receivers, Frank Dalena, No. 19, he is 5-7, 154. And another receiver, Kevin Parker, No. 27, is 5-7, 146. I feel like I would fit because a lot of the guys on their team are around my size.”

How did the visit go overall?

“It was pretty good. After the spring game, I met with Coach (Jeff) Tedford, he is an icon. I met with Coach (Scott) Thompson (tight ends coach). He used to be the director of recruiting at USC.”

What did Coach Tedford and Coach Thompson say to you when you met with them?

“Nothing much. It was more of a meet and greet. I’m trying to get to know them a little bit more.”

Do plan to visit the school again, if so, when?

“They want me to go to a camp this summer. I think Coach Williams is coming to our school this spring to sit down and watch film with my school’s coaching staff. He likes to get team’s best receivers and transition them to DBs. We’ll see where it goes from here.”

We spoke just ahead of your visit to Fresno State. Not a lot of time has passed, but do you have any new recruiting interest?

“Air Force is coming to our school and I think West Point is really coming along. Oregon, Washington State, and New Mexico were at my school on Monday to get my information, per my coaches.”

Do you have any other visits set?

“I’m going to Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, San Jose State, and Northern Arizona this summer.”

Isac, thanks for your time today and congratulations on a successful visit to Fresno State.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Velasquez family; Isac Velasquez at Fresno State with Coach Tedford.

Photo credit: Velasquez family; Isac Velasquez at Fresno State with Coach Williams.