Interview with 6-Offer 2021 Florida Two-Way ATH Jaedan Dunning
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
When one is a skill athlete at the level of Jaedan Dunning, you find yourself playing multiple positions with a lot of high expectations for greatness. For Dunning, he has lived up to the lofty responsibilities set forth with Tampa Bay Christian on both sides of the ball standing out at receiver, where he had seven touchdowns this season, and free safety and corner, coming up with four picks. College programs are digging Dunning’s play with offers going out from Liberty, Louisiana-Monroe, Southern Miss, Troy, Vanderbilt, and Wyoming.
With the Rams (3-7) season coming to a conclusion on Nov. 1 after at 60-21 win over Southwest Florida Christian, the grind continues into the offseason for Dunning. To catch-up on all that happened on the field during his junior season, we sat down for a quick conversation.
Interview
Jaedan, looking back on the 2019 season, is there a play that you are proudest of or a play that might define your growth on the field as a player?
“Yes, sir. A 98-yard yard touchdown against Northside Christian.”
That works. You are that do-everything kind of athlete. Where all did you end up lining up on the gridiron in 2019?
“I lined up at linebacker, corner, free safety, receiver, and some at quarterback.”
How did your skills improve this season on offense?
“My skills improved after the catch – I got better at that, and my route running. I got faster in the offseason which helped in getting separation from the defensive backs.”
And on defense, how did your game get better?
“On defense I became more aggressive. My catch-up speed improved and my cover skills got better. I am a lockdown defender now.”
Which game was your best?
“For me, it was the Seffner Christian game.”
How did that game top the list?
“I had three touchdowns and one was called back. On defense, I had a lot of tackles.”
After all that, which schools are now showing recruiting interest?
“Notre Dame, Wake Forest, and Michigan State.”
Where is the offer total now?
“At six.”
Did you visit any programs this fall?
“Yes, sir. I visited Southeastern (FL).”
Are there any planned trips ahead?
“I might be visiting Notre Dame and Michigan State soon.”
Now that the offseason is here, what are you going to focus on with your workouts?
“We start track soon and I am lifting weights.”
Which events in track are you running this season?
“The 400, 800 and long jump.”
When you watch football on the weekends, what are you watching and what are you trying to learn?
“I watch the positions that I play, watch the schemes, and watch their technique.”
Jaedan, it was great catching up with you today. Good luck with track season and your offseason workouts.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Big County Preps Photography; No. 5 Jaedan Dunning