LSU Tigers Commitment Interview with 4-Star 2020 OLB Jaden Navarrette
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Over the last two high school football seasons, Class of 2020 athlete Jaden Navarrette has been all over the field for Norco High School. During his sophomore campaign, he picked up 18 stops with four sacks and eight tackles for a loss as an outside linebacker/end and played part-time as a receiving threat on offense pulling in three passes for 40 yards with a score as a receiver and tight end. All of the promise in athletic capabilities for Navarrette came to the surface in 2018 helping the Cougars to a 9-3 record against California Division II competition. Teaming with four-star 2020 quarterback Shane Illingworth, the 6-3, 210-pound, target secured 37 passes for 670 yards with seven trips into the end zone. With 13 reported offers to choose from, the big question for Navarette’s future is where he would play at the collegiate level, and which side of the ball? That question was answered on Saturday (April 6) when the four-star recruit verbally committed to the LSU Tigers as an outside linebacker.
In an RNG exclusive interview, I caught up with Navarrette after his return trip back to California for the inside scoop on his commitment to one of college football’s best programs.
*Click link for Nov. 7, 2018, RNG interview with Jaden Navarrette
Interview
Jaden, congratulations on the commitment to LSU.
“Thank you.”
When did you verbally commit to the LSU staff?
“I committed to the staff when I was there over the weekend. It was after our tour around the school. At 9-o’clock, we were still at the stadium. I was talking to the coaches and I felt good about it all. I knew I wanted to commit.”
Which coach on the staff received your commitment?
“I gave my commitment to Coach O (Ed Orgeron – head coach). I wanted to tell him in-person.”
What was Coach O’s response when you committed?
“He was like dang. He said, “I am glad, I am glad.” He was excited about it.”
What did the coaching staff tell you they like about your game and how will they use you within their schemes, be it on offense or defense?
“The coaches told me they are going to use me at outside linebacker because I am versatile and because I can rush the edge. They like that I can do multiple things on the defense.”
Obviously, you wouldn’t have committed if you were excited about playing defense, but you are a two-way performer for Norco, are you excited about playing defense for LSU?
“Yes. I am very excited. LSU is a top defense in the SEC. I can’t wait.”
What was it about LSU that showed you they were the perfect fit for you at the collegiate level?
“The coaching staff is family based, I like that. That was one of the main things I was looking for with the recruiting process. I like how everything is ran at LSU, their system there, and their development with the players.”
Do you know when you are going back to Baton Rouge again?
“I am pretty sure I am going back soon, certainly for a game this season.”
The visit over the weekend, was that an official or unofficial visit?
“That was an unofficial.”
Last question, changing it up. How are your offseason workouts going?
“They are going really well. The team is getting right. We are working out on Wednesday as a team. Everything is going really well.”
Jaden, congratulations, again, on your commitment to LSU and thanks for your time today.
“Thank you.”
Navarrette’s Offer Sheet (13): LSU, USC, Oregon, Washington, Nebraska, Colorado, Michigan, Hawaii, Oregon State, Tennessee, UNLV, Arizona, and Arizona State
Photo credit: Navarrette family; Jaden Navarrette at LSU