Interview: Stud 4-Star 2019 California DT Jacob Bandes Plans on Being an Early Enrollee

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Everything is on the upward trend for Class of 2019 defensive tackle Jacob Bandes. After back-to-back first team All-State honors, he added League MVP unanimous selection, All-League, and team Player of the Year awards to his display case in 2017. With eight offers on the table and some very strong recruiting interest keeping tabs, the offseason has turned into more than just working out and improving for his senior season. Bandes has aligned his academics with the option of being an early enrollee which is sure to kick his already thriving recruitment into hyperdrive.

Over the past two seasons, Pittsburg High School has had a dynamic defender in the trenches with Bandes. The 6-3, 295 pound, playmaker racked up 52 tackles, 19 tackles for a loss, five sacks, nine QB hurries, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in 2016 jumping on recruiting boards up and down the west coast. His junior year was just as impressive with 50 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, six sacks, 10 QB hurries, and two fumble recoveries in stats posted through 10 games.

The offers to choose from today have been extended by Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Oregon State, San Jose State, UCLA, Utah, along with his most recent from Arizona State. Teams like Cal, USC, and Alabama that are showing interest may have to step up their game. Bandes plans on being an early enrollee meaning he can start taking his official visits sooner than later, once all the paperwork clears.

In a Recruiting News Guru catch-up interview, I got a few minutes in with one of California’s top 2019 defensive linemen to find out how his offseason workouts are going and to learn more about his recruiting prospects.

Interview

Jacob, the Pirates had a nice run into the playoffs in 2017. How did those extra games against top teams help make you a better player?

“Playing out of league and against teams from other counties, I now know better about what to expect from different top linemen instead of playing the same talent in our league over and over. I got some good new experiences from those games going against new guys.”

Was there an area of your game that you felt was unstoppable by the end of the season?

“I’d like to say my run stop and pass rushing.”

That just about covers it all (he laughs). How are your offseason workouts coming along?

“I’m doing well with my workouts. My coach wants me to practice on both sides of the ball this offseason. I’m becoming more of an offensive lineman now. I’m trying to go both ways next year. If the coaches ever need me to play on the offensive line, I am right there for them.”

Have you maxed out in the weight room since the season ended?

“I have. I benched three plates and 10s, 335. On squats, we don’t go higher than four plates but I did that three times and my power clean was 285 pounds.”

What is your workout routine like? What all are you doing?

“I like to have different days for my upper body then work on my lower body. I want to strengthen my weaknesses. I want to get my chest and arms bigger this offseason. Same for my legs. I want to increase my power clean and better my explosive work for my agility and quickness off the snap.”

Is there an area of your game you are focused on improving this offseason?

“I’m trying to get bigger and I’m trying to add weight. I want to get up to 300 pounds. I want to be faster on my get off and read plays better. I’m working on getting better on stretch plays, improving my pass rush, and getting off double-teams better.”

Are you going to any national camps or combines this spring?

“I’m going to Nike Regional in Oakland.”

You’re a big hit on the recruiting trail, which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?

“The main ones talking to me right now are Cal, USC, and Alabama.”

How many offers do you have now?

“I have eight. Two weeks ago, I got my latest one from Arizona State.”

Did you take any unofficial visits during the 2017 season?

“No.”

Have you taken any visits yet this year?

“I went to Alabama in January. In March or April, I’m going to Washington. Off the Washington visit, I might drive down the coast to Oregon and Oregon State.”

How did the Alabama go?

“It was pretty cool. It was a cool experience to go see my old teammate Najee Harris (2017 running back). It was cool to see the facilitates at Alabama and to see the town of Tuscaloosa.”

With your recruiting, are you looking at being an early enrollee?

“Yes. Actually, I set everything set up with my counselor and principal today.”

For a highly recruited player such as yourself, what is the recruiting process like for you?

“It is pretty cool at the beginning getting to talk to all the colleges. That is what you want. Now you have to make a final decision, but you have these relationships with these other college coaches. That relationship is done once you commit. That is sad but that is the way it is. I’m getting to the end of my recruiting process, so my decision needs to be a good one. The recruiting process is still cool, but there is a good and bad to it.”

Are you hoping to end the recruiting process this spring or summer with a verbal commitment or roll with it until one of early signing days for the 2019 class?

“I plan on waiting to commit. I plan to commit in December or in January. I want to commit at an all-star game. I want to commit on TV. That would be pretty cool to commit on TV with my family and friends at home watching my commitment.”

Jacob, thanks for your time today and good luck with the upcoming visits and camps.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: D. Ross Cameron Photography; No. 55 Jacob Bandes in action

Photo credit: Bandes family; Jacob Bandes at an Under Armour camp