Interview: Scholarship Offers Giving Momentum to New 2023 Tesoro QB Gavin Shaigineik
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The 2020 California high school football schedule was a foundational season for Class of 2023 quarterback Gavin Shaigineik. The 6-1, 160-pound, field general got a better feel for the game against Trinity League competition suiting up for the Santa Margarita Eagles learning behind senior QB Colt Fulton. When the 2021 season begins, Shaigineik is taking on a new challenge and running a new offense with Tesoro High School going against South Coast League foes.
With a full season to showcase the skills, college programs will be watching. After competing at various college camps on the east coast, Shaigineik picked up offers from Florida State and Charlotte.
In an RNG first-look interview, the Titans’ new leader on offense updates us on how he is preparing to lead to Tesoro this fall with a look at his college camp circuit.
Interview
Gavin, this offseason you’ve made the move from Santa Margarita to Tesoro. When the 2021 season kicks off with the Titans, what style of offense will you be executing?
It is more of a pro-style offense, a lot under center. We run a lot and do a lot of play-action passes. We are in the gun and in the Pistol as well. I think we will be solid on offense. The run game is the main thing, and that gets our passing game going.
How do you feel your skills fit the new offense?
The offense fits me because the plays we run takes a lot of accuracy on throws. There’s nothing too crazy with the plays, but it fits me being in the pocket, doing roll outs, and throwing on the run. It is an offense I enjoy and that the whole team enjoys.
To prepare for this new role, what have you been doing this summer?
Training with QB coaches, speed training and working super hard lifting and grinding.
What have you been doing to fine-tune your footwork this summer?
With the new offense, we are under center a lot. I have been working on my five- and seven-step drops. I have been doing cone and ladder drills. The big focus is dropping quicker to get back from the defensive linemen.
What have you been working on with your mechanics?
With my upper body, with my arm, I have not changed much with my motion. My QB coach always says if your feet are good, your throws will be good. I live by that.
What have you been doing to expand your football IQ?
I am always watching film, 30 to 45 minutes per day. I watch old teams, old film of myself with Winners’ Circle looking at my mistakes and where I thrive. Peyton Manning has a show called “The Detail” on ESPN. He explains everything that each quarterback is going through. That is a good way to learn as a quarterback.
To develop that chemistry with your skill guys, what have you been doing?
Staying after practice for about 45 minutes with my receivers; they are cool with it. We throw routes, work on timing and getting the speed down. It took a while at Santa Margarita to get that chemistry down with the receivers. Each guy is different; I am getting ready that way.
This summer, did you get to compete at any college camps?
Yes, I took a trip to North Carolina for a camp. There were a bunch of schools at that camp. I visited a few schools when I was out there and went to some college camps.
Which other schools did you camp at?
Pitt, Penn State, and Wake Forest. All the other schools were just visits.
The Penn State camp, how did that camp go for you?
That was really good. That camp was very well run. I performed well. There were 40 other colleges there. That was very good exposure for me.
What did you get to showcase of your skills in front of all those college coaches?
We had a 7v7 period; my ability to read defenses and get the ball to the open guy.
Which schools that you know of are showing interest as we near the 2021 season?
Arizona State and Florida Atlantic.
Which schools have offered you?
Charlotte and Florida State.
Picking up that first offer from a top Power Five program like Florida State, what was that moment like for you?
That was insane. I answered the call, it was Coach Kenny Dillingham (OC/QB) on the phone. I was like “holy smokes.” It was a surreal moment. That was a life goal of mine. It was very awesome.
You mentioned visiting schools while on the east coast, which schools did you get to visit?
There was a big group of us, we visited NC State, UNC, Charlotte, Wake Forest, toured Pitt, and one HBCU in Charlotte (Johnson C. Smith), which was really cool. Those are all that I can think of right now.
Since they offered, how did the Charlotte trip turn out? What all did you do?
We put on the jersey and took a full tour of the facilities. Their head coach (Will Healy) is awesome. I didn’t get to throw for them, they must have seen some of my film which led to the offer.
Gavin, thanks for your time today. Wishing you and the Titans the best as you prepare for the 2021 season.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Shaigineik family; Gavin Shaigineik