Interview: South Hills 2020 RB Juaquin Elliot Covers Breakout 1,700-Yard Rushing Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
No matter how well one knew Juaquin Elliot before the 2018 California high school football season began, few if any would have bet the house on the year he produced – it comes with a twist. After a strong sophomore year playing receiver, complete with 22 receptions for 408 yards with two touchdowns, the 6-0, 200-pound, speedster changed positions entering the 2018 schedule at running back. The rest, as they say, is history, and that history making year is now catching college football recruiting attention.
While Elliot may have looked like a natural carrying the rock throughout his junior year, it was all new to him. The stats and accolades suggest he may have found his football home on the gridiron. Elliot was awe inspiring with his play rushing 314 times for 1,720 yards with 21 touchdowns and pulled in 21 passes for another 208 yards carrying his Huskies team to a 14-1 record. The post-season honors came in from everywhere: first team All-CIF, second team All-State, All-League first team, All-Area first team, CIF MVP Award, Hacienda League Offensive Player of the Year, and Huskies’ Team MVP.
Elliot is already a tremendous athlete but gets to put that “athlete” label on his resume in 2019 adding linebacker to his list of duties. With all that he is preparing for in 2019, recruiting picking up and a handful of college camp dates set, I sat down with one of California’s top overlooked talents for an in-depth one-on-one interview.
Interview
Juaquin, you had a monster junior season proving you are a workhorse back who can carry a team if needed. This was a big change from your sophomore year. Were you expecting that type of season entering the schedule?
“I made sure to work hard in the preseason so it could be one of those years. I knew it might be big. Our head coach then met with me discussing the upcoming season. I told him I was ready and proved it in preseason camp – I was ready.”
Yes, you were. You went into new territory for yourself carrying the rock over 300 times. How did you prepare week to week for the load you carried in the games?
“Most people stop lifting during the season, I kept consistent with it. I did not skip reps. I made sure to stay consistent with my training. Also, a lot of ice baths.”
How did your game improve throughout the season as a tailback?
“My field vision improved a lot. Playing running back was new for me after starting off as a receiver. Between the two positions, it is a different ball game. I had a lot of trust in the offensive line. They did everything for me out there. My offseason helped me prepare – running hills in the offseason and reading-learning the plays.”
What were some of the designed plays called for you allowing you to showcase your skills?
“My favorite plays were to the outside runs and the jump cuts on the inside. We would pick a hole and cut-back. The wheels and arrows I liked as well.”
What are you working on this offseason?
“Right now, I am still running hills. There is no offseason with football. I am working on getting bigger, faster, and stronger.”
Will your skills be utilized much the same way during your senior year or will there be some changes?
“They just added me at linebacker. I am training now for linebacker now.”
Are you excited about playing linebacker?
“Yes. I feel like it is a great opportunity. I have the weight on me to play linebacker and I am fast enough to get to the play.”
Are you going to any camps this summer?
“Yes. I am going to a Northern Arizona camp, two Azusa Pacific camps, one at La Verne, and one at Redlands.”
After your big season, which schools are showing recruiting interest?
“I have talked to San Diego State a lot, Fresno State came by my school, UNLV – I have talked to them, they have come by twice, and I have been in contact with Holy Cross.”
Have you taken any unofficial visits?
“Yes. I went to UCLA, Arizona State, Arizona, San Diego State, and Azusa Pacific.”
How did the UCLA visit go?
“It went great. They have beautiful facilities, I loved it there.”
And Arizona State, how did that go?
“It was hot, but it was beautiful there. The whole university was beautiful.”
Last question. Given the tremendous 2018 season you posted, what are your personal goals for your senior year?
“I want to double my stats. If you are not getting better, you are getting worse. I am working on my defense, pass coverages and run fits. I’m getting ready.”
Juaquin, it was great learning more about you and your game today. I appreciate your time.
“Thank you.”
*Click link for Elliot’s Hudl reel
Photo credit: Elliot family; Juaquin Elliot at UCLA and San Diego State