Lone Star State QB Julian Navarrete Spinning it Everywhere for College Coaches

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Quick test: What do you have in a high school player with a gun for an arm, poised in the pocket, avoids and escapes pressure like a football Houdini, is accurate, puts up great numbers, has wheels, and doesn’t turn over the ball – you got a great quarterback. At Boerne-Champion High School (Boerne, Texas) Julian Navarrete is making his mark and college coaches are taking notice.

The sophomore campaign for Navarrete (5-10, 180) ended with a 122.7 QBR, 2,670 yards passing, and 26 touchdowns.

“We run a Spread offense,” Navarrete stated. “We are a big RPO (run-pass option) team. We love the numbers in the box. We will run on you or throw it behind you. We like our numbers, that is our game. Where we have numbers, that is what we will play.”

Throwing laser shots across the field brings the Chargers’ offense to life.

“One of my strengths is making any throw on the field,” Navarrete shared. “I can go opposite hash to sideline, my deep ball is good, and I can run on you. If you drop eight, I can run; you have to game plan for both of those options with me.”

After the stellar season, the Chargers’ coaching staff knows they can put their trust in their Class of 2027 talent.

“The main thing I am focused on is getting our audibles down,” Navarrete said. “I have the keys to the car; I can check out of plays. A strong point of focus is the mental part of the game; understanding defenses and fronts, knowing what we like and what we don’t like – mastering that. Another part is my speed. I am trying to get to 4.6. If they don’t have enough in the box, I will run all over the place next year.”

Navarrete is taking advantage of every opportunity to showcase his arm to doubters or the uninitiated this spring.

“I competed at the All-American Combine in San Antonio, the Elite 11 this past weekend, and the Next Level Camp hosted by Dave Campbell. I have Rivals and Under Armour coming up in April and May along with college camps this summer.”

Texas State and UTSA welcomed Navarrete to campus last fall. More visits are ahead.

“I will be at UTSA, Texas State, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech’” Navarrete stated. “I get more invites by the week. There are a lot of schools reaching out for spring practices; I’m trying to figure it out.”

Navarrete previewed his return to UTSA, “I really love their staff. The Traylor brothers (Jeff and Kurt) and their QB coach, coach (Justin) Burke, I have known them since the eighth grade. They were my first offer. We are getting closer and closer. We run the same offense. Our offensive coordinator used to be there. I really love their staff and what they have to offer.”

The trip to Lubbock is something Navarrete is anticipating.

“I am very excited,” Navarrete said. “Coach (Mark) Leftwich (OC/QB) was at Texas State in the fall; he’s been recruiting me since my freshman year. When he got there, I was one of the first to know. He hasn’t watched me throw, this spring, hopefully, they will get to see me throw. We’ve been building the relationship for a while. He’s been talking very highly to me.”

In addition to the UTSA offer, Incarnate Word has an opportunity on the table for Navarrete.

The programs showing interest were listed, “Baylor, they’ve been recruiting since my freshman year, they show a lot of love, UTEP, North Texas, Colorado State, Tulsa, Houston, and schools like that.”

Navarrete spoke about the college camps he intends to compete at this summer, “It is a pretty big list; I made it today. I am going to the schools that have reached out: Texas Tech, SMU, North Texas, TCU, Houston, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Rice, UTSA, Texas State, Tulsa, Baylor, Texas, and UIW.”

Part of Navarrete’s offseason speed training is competing in track and field running the 4×1 and 100.

Photo credit: Navarette’s family; Julian Navarrete at UTSA and a camp.