Interview: La Canada 3-Star RB Drake Beasley Jr. making Best of Tough Situation
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Bad blood among adults can create bad situations for the young women and men caught in the middle in the high school ranks. A first team All-State performance by Drake Beasley Jr. on the gridiron in 2015 gave promise to the future for his senior year. Unfortunately, some adults did not like it when Beasley transferred from Loyola to La Canada High School resulting in the three-star running back missing his entire senior season over a transfer rule.
Beasley rose to notoriety in the Los Angeles area after a sophomore season when he ran for 353 yards with six touchdowns turned into an explosion the following year for 1,647 yards with 17 scores on the ground. The difference for Loyola was a 4-6 campaign in 2014 to a 9-3 winning season in 2015.
The 2016 season was a tease for the 5-11, 200 pound, talent hoping week after week that the California Interscholastic Federation would clear him to play. There was always that possibility. Each week Beasley prepared as if he would start for the Spartans taking reps on both sides of the ball, hoping that his prayers would be answered.
The silver lining in the unfortunately series of events, college coaches were already high on Beasley. Most recruits could not lose an entire senior season for one reason or another and still expect to play for a big Division-I program. Beasley has that opportunity. So far, 13 reported offers from teams like UCLA, Boise State, Colorado, Pitt, Fresno State, Purdue, Cal, Idaho, Colorado State, Arizona, Arizona State, Washington, and Oregon have been extended.
The other optimistic view for Beasley, while on the field game experience may have been lost, a lot of wear and tear on his body has been saved keeping his legs fresh for a true freshman season and collegiate career full of promise. When Beasley is unleashed at the next level, his ability to make plays with his acceleration through the hole, shiftiness between defenders, and great field vision will be one lucky college programs good fortune leaving the bad blood behind him.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Beasley to find out more about his high school career while receiving an update on his recruiting process.
Interview
Drake, tough question first, I hope you don’t mind. How hard has it been for you this season having to sit out?
“It sucks, but I’m not stewing about it. I’m looking forward to the future.”
From last season, what are some of the strengths of your game on the field?
“I feel like I am a north and south, one cut, kind of back. I don’t spend a lot of time in the backfield. I hit holes quickly and I’m pretty fast.”
During your junior year you ran the Wildcat offense some. Did you like running the Wildcat offense?
“Oh yeah, that was fun. It was really fun.”
What have you been working on this season to prepare yourself for your freshman year in college?
“I’m still working on finding out where I am going. I’m working on getting my visits lined up. Once I figure that out, I want to develop a relationship with my new running back coach. I want to get a plan from my new coach to do what they want. Not all coaches want me to run track or gain weight. What I do from here all depends.”
Even though you did not get to play, you got time on the field in practice. How did you approach practices?
“I was practicing full tilt. The season is over now. I’m focused on working out. I’m already starting my off-season workout.”
How did practicing with the team every week improve your game?
“I took practice as if I was playing every week. I did not find out officially that I was not going to get cleared until right before our last game. Every week I might have been able to play.”
How has your skill set gotten better over the last year?
“I think my footwork has gotten better. I was playing some defense too, not that I plan on playing defense in college. Playing defensive back this season in practice has helped my footwork and my hips have gotten better.”
You have a lot of offers on the table. Of the schools that have offered you, which ones are showing a little more interest in you than the others right now?
“Colorado, Boise State, U of A (Arizona), and Pitt.”
Have you taken any unofficial or official visits this season?
“No.”
You mentioned earlier that you are planning out your visits. Do you have any set yet?
“I have kind of planned some of my visits, but not officially set them yet. I know I will visit a couple of schools in December.”
Do you have a commitment date in mind?
“Hopefully I will have finished all my visits before 2016 ends. I would like to make a decision before the year ends. The main thing is getting my visits in and then figuring out my options.”
Do you plan on being an early enrollee?
“No.”
What will influence your decision most when you commit?
“Right now I’d say the most important things, 1) a school that has my major. I’m not sure which path I want to take in business but a school with a good business program could sway my options. 2) The great thing about the visits, I can choose a place where I feel like I am at home. Are the guys on the team are like brothers? What is the community like? I would like to go to a school that is not in the middle of nowhere. I would not rule out a school for that reason either. 3) The offensive scheme. Depending on the offense, will I feel more or less comfortable?”
Drake, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming visits.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Pasadena Star News; Drake Beasley Jr. at La Canada practice.