Interview: Skills Transfer for 4-Star 2022 OL Trent Ramsey from Arizona to Florida
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Over the decades, there have been a lot of heated watercooler exchanges about which state has the best high school football. In recent years, much like college football programs top national high school teams travel cross country to help settling the debate. But there are thousands of kids who do not get the opportunity, leaving the debate about the best of the best open for conversation. For Class of 2022 offensive tackle Trent Ramsey, he’s not only talking the talk but he is walking the walk.
Ramsey jumped on recruiting boards across the country last season playing right tackle for Arizona’s Higley High School. The 6-5, 275-pound, behemoth worked over the best ends, tackles, and linebackers in the 6A ranks working his skills to four-star recruiting status. This season, Ramsey is back at it, but lining up at left tackle for Tarpon Springs’ East Lake High School (1-1). Showing the skills transfer from 6A Arizona ball to 7A Florida, Ramsey is back to his usual dominating ways stonewalling speed rushers and burying defenders with his run blocking.
In an RNG first-look, Ramsey updates us ahead of his third game of the 2020 season on how the transition is going on the field.
Interview
Trent, last season you went head to head with top Arizona defensive linemen lining up at right tackle. This season you are going head to head with 7A Florida defenders. Two games into the change, what are you seeing as the differences in play between the two states and style of football?
First, it was nice coming from Arizona. Iron sharpens iron as they say and guys like Jason Harris, they helped me out a lot. The biggest thing that is different, the kids here in Florida are pretty fast. I have improved with my speed and foot quickness to take them on. It is not a huge transition because of the work I got in Arizona. One thing that is different, last year I was on turf and I have had to transition to grass this year. That is a little but big difference.
It is. I’ve been on enough Arizona turf fields where it is burning your feet through your shoes because it is so hot. How one plants and moves is much different on grass compared to turf.
The turf in Arizona is hot. I am making the transition.
When your sophomore season wrapped, what did you feel were the things you were doing well on the field as an offensive lineman?
Getting up to the second level and my pass-pro. I only gave up two sacks last season. The main thing I needed to work on this offseason was my point of attack. I worked on that a lot this offseason.
Going deeper on that. Throughout the offseason what were you working on with your skills?
Overall, strength and conditioning were my main focuses. I was working out a lot in the weight room. With my technique, I was working on my fundamentals, my pass technique, footwork, and speed training to get ready for these fast Florida kids.
What were some of the workouts and lifts you were doing to bring more power to your attack in the trenches?
I worked with a former USF player, going to D-I Trench Academy. There, I was working on my footwork this offseason. Coach Ray is a former AFL guy and Coach Taylor is a former NFL guy, they were both helping me, and Coach Abraham is at Charlotte (49ers) now. Working with those coaches helped me improve a lot this offseason.
When did you transfer to East Lake?
I came over winter break, for the second semester. I played basketball, made the team. On varsity we made it to the final four. Then I did track and field, I threw the shot.
It is awesome how quickly you integrated yourself at your new school.
Thank you.
What style of offense are the Eagles running this season?
A Spread variation called the Man slide.
At which position do your new coaches have you playing?
I am at left tackle. My freshman and sophomore year I was at right tackle, but after moving over here they have me on the quarterback’s blindside. It is a bit of a change with my stance, but I have it down now. I am rocking and rolling now.
Going back to my initial question, you’re playing the same game but there are subtle differences region to region and state to state. What have you had to change or modify with your skills going against Florida players? Is it all about the speed?
The speed of the rushers and my speed in pass-pro. You need more depth against the speed rushers. Some of the things I was working on that was different from Arizona, my jump sets and cuts; that is new for me. I can add that to my toolbox.
How has the season started off for you personally?
Our first game was not the best showing. We had a bumpy start; it was bumpy for me as well getting used to the Florida kids. We were knocking the rust off. In our second game we played much better and I was putting kids in the ground. I am looking forward to this Friday so I can dominate. I have not given up a sack this year, and I do not plan on doing so at all this season.
Where are you showing the biggest improvements with all the hard work you put into your game this season?
I’d say my punch, that has been a big thing we worked on. My punching, stopping him, and the point of attack off the ball. We worked on that a lot.
Let’s close talking recruiting. Which schools are now showing interest?
West Virginia, Stanford, Notre Dame, Kentucky, Clemson, Liberty, Louisville, Georgia, Wake Forest, Northwestern, ECU, Ole Miss, and App State.
How many offers do you have?
I have 14 offers.
Which programs were the last couple to extend an offer?
BYU, Arkansas, and Nebraska.
Ramsey’s Offer Sheet: Arizona State, Arkansas, BYU, California, Central Florida, Duke, Florida Atlantic, Florida State, Miami, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oregon, Pittsburgh, and South Florida
Did you get any in-person visits in before the dead period began?
The only one in Florida was to USF, then everything was closed down. Back in Arizona, I visited Cal, Stanford, and Arizona State.
Have you taken any virtual visits?
Yes, I have taken visits with Florida State, Pitt, Duke, and Provo.
Are there any virtual visits planned coming up?
Yes, I have one with Oregon and Miami.
If in-person visits were allowed to more, are there any schools you’d like to visit?
I’d like to visit the schools around me, some of the easier ones to get to like Florida State, UCF, and Miami. Out of state, we’d have to look at that more with plane tickets. Some that I’d like to visit are Duke, Nebraska, and Michigan State.
Trent, those are all the questions I have for you today. I appreciate your time and wish you and the team great success the rest of the way until we talk again.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Ramsey family; Trent Ramsey