Interview: Varsity Playoff Experience Setting 2021 SS Jason Boyle for Breakout 2018 Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Most freshmen struggle to learn the game of football against their peer group even making an awkward transition to the varsity level as sophomores before the proverbial lightbulb turns on. With that in mind, the events that unfolded in 2017 for freshman Jason Boyle turned out to be pretty spectacular. The 5-11, 185 pound, rising star skipped the freshman level altogether playing junior varsity with a call up to varsity by mid-season playing on Mission Hills’ 12-1 championship run squad. But, what else would one expect from a direct descendant of legendary NFL Hall of Famer Jim Thorpe and the great Native American leader Geronimo.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down to learn more about one of the rising star’s in California’s 2021 class covering his freshman season on the field and his offseason workouts heading into his sophomore campaign.

Interview

Jason, by the end of the 2017 season, you were called up from freshman and JV ball to varsity. If you will, walk me through the progression from one level to the next last year?

“The progression from freshman to JV ball was not that big of a deal. The transition from JV to varsity was a big step. But, I think I handled it well. During summer camp, I had two practices with the freshman squad, and then the head coach for Mission Hills saw me. He knew that I could do more, he knew I could play at a higher level. They brought me up to JV for first five games of the season. After Game 5 I was supposed to be pulled up to varsity but I had an injury that kept me out for four weeks. I came back for the final game of the season and for the playoffs.”

Nice. Did you get into the rotation?

“Yes, sir. I was second string behind Max Milner, he’s going to Dixie State next year.”

On what kind of play did you register your first tackle?

“My first tackle was a solo tackle on a kickoff.”

At the JV level you were playing safety, running back, and receiver, how did the season go overall for you?

“I did well in my opinion. Through my five games, I had 42 tackles, I averaged 7.5 yards per carry and I had five touchdowns. I was mainly a defensive player last year.”

Starting with safety, how did your game come along throughout the season?

“I’ve always loved hitting, I am a hard hitter. I will hit you as hard as I can. At the beginning of the season, I was not reading my keys off the offensive linemen. My DB coach emphasized that with me. I kept working on that. That helped me a lot. At the end of the season, by reading the linemen, I knew what was coming.”

How about at receiver, how did you push your game forward in the passing game?

“My game got better knowing the coverages. If I was running a seam, I could bend it off a Cover 2. I could create holes and windows for the QB. I could get myself open.”

When you got called up, which position did you play for the Grizzlies?

“Strong safety.”

What was the varsity experience like for you at that level?

“It was a really good experience. I was nervous at first, but after the first snap I got used to it. It is a lot faster than JV, I liked that. Overall, it was pretty simple for me. It was football, the game I love.”

What defensive scheme did you guys run?

“We ran a Cover 2 and sky coverage, with me down in the box.”

Where all might you play on the field in 2018?

“I’ve been told that they might move me to running back. I will start at strong safety and I might start at running back as well.”

How are you preparing for your sophomore season this spring and summer?

“I’m doing a lot of speed and agility drills and adding mass to my body.”

Are you playing 7v7 ball?

“I am. I am playing with Premium Legends.”

How is that helping your game?

“That is helping a lot. They way 7v7 is set up, it is set up for the offenses to do well. With Premium, they teach us how to do your job better by using technique and knowing the different coverages. I’ve been getting better at both.”

Are you attending any camps or combines upcoming?

“Yes. I’m attending the Rivals camp in Los Angeles and San Francisco and I’m competing at the Polynesian Bowl Combine.”

It is really early for you, but are you receiving any interest from colleges yet?

“Yes, sir. Hawaii, Colorado, San Jose State, and Arizona State have shown interest.”

Have you made any unofficial visits yet?

“Yes. I’ve been to UCLA and USC.”

Do you have any planned visits set?

“Next weekend I am going to USC and to Cal in March.”

Last question, is there a moment from your freshman season playing varsity football that you will never forget?

“The CIF experience. It was a great experience riding on the bus to the championship. We faced Helix, they were a great team, but I got the CIF experience with my brothers getting to go out there and grind. It was an emotional game, but something I will never forget.”

Jason, thanks for your time today and good luck at all the upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Jason Boyle