New York 2017 QB Jack Coan Discusses NSD 2016 and gives Recruiting Update

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

All Class of 2017 recruits have a vested interest in how National Signing Day played out, no matter how important the events of the day may have been or seemed at that time. Once the 2016 class matriculates to the school of their choice and began taking on the challenge of collegiate football, the outcome of their ability to adapt and succeed along with the outcome of the 2016 season will greatly influence how various coaching staffs attack the recruiting trail placing a greater emphasis on positions of need.

A rule of thumb in the college ranks, at least one quarterback will be taken each year by each team to keep the pipeline of talent coming through which helps guard against a miss or injury. One Class of 2017 quarterback that will be atop the recruiting boards of all colleges in need of an immediate difference maker come National Signing Day 2017 under center is Sayville High School quarterback Jack Coan.

Coan lead Sayville to a Long Island High School championship posting a 12-0 record in 2015 one year after coming up one game short of another Long Island championship going 11-1 during his sophomore campaign. Along the way the 6’3”, 190 pound, talent earned seemingly every honor possible at his level for the quarterback position including All-County, All-Long Island, and All-State. The honors are fitting with the impressive stat line: 2,499 yards passing with 36 touchdowns and 1,275 rushing yards with another 17 scores.

Nationally, Long Island, New York, may not be thought of as a mecca or hotbed of quarterback talent, but Coan has the size, arm, skill set, and mental aptitude to be as good as some of his predecessors from the same area: Michael Boryla (Long Island), Michael Buck (Long Island), Norman “Boomer” Esiason (West Islip), Jay Fiedler (Oceanside), Patrick Haden (Westbury), Ken O’Brien (Long Island), and Frank Reich (Freeport). At this point in his game, college coaches would seemingly agree that Coan has the same potential with 15 offers already extended from Miami, Michigan, Rutgers, Indiana, Temple, Syracuse, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Boston College.

With less than a year left until his big signing day, I sat down with Jack to go over his thoughts on how National Signing Day 2016 went down and received a Recruiting News update.

Interview

Jack, when you watched or heard about all the commitments on NSD, what were some of the things that stood out most to you?

“There were a lot of big commitments to a lot of big colleges. I think Alabama was No. 1 in the rankings and Michigan got the No. 1 player (DT Rashan Gary). It is exciting to think that a year from now I’ll be signing my letter of intent.”

Was there any last minute flips or player commitments other than Gary’s that surprised you?

“No, not really. I don’t follow too many players so I really had no idea what might happen.”

You mentioned Alabama had the No. 1 signing class, were there any other programs that impressed you with the class they signed?

“Recruiting rankings are not important to me. I’m not going to a college based on how well they’ve done in the past, I’m going to a school based on their future. The things that are most important to me are the academics, football, and the coaching staff.”

Did you take any unofficial visits last year?

“I went to Rutgers for one game. I’ve also been to Michigan, Wake Forest, Stanford, Maryland, and Central Florida.”

Do you have any planned visits for this offseason?

“Yeah, I’m going to Northwestern, Indiana, Nebraska, West Virginia, and a lot of the schools that have offered me already. Maybe Syracuse and Wisconsin. I’m in that process of scheduling my trips now.”

Does proximity to home mean much to you when looking at programs?

“I don’t really care. Location is not a factor for me. Wherever I go, I’m going to have to fly so an extra hour on a plane will not be a big deal.”

When college coaches are pitching you on their school or just talking to you in general, what are some of the things that you like to talk about during those conversations?

“I like talking about X’s and O’s and about personal things. I even like talking about random things. Talking to different coaches about different things, their energy and personality comes out. You can tell the type of coach they are and the type of person they are off the field. I like talking about the offenses they run, I can get a good feel about how they might coach me.”

Which schools are showing the most interest in you right now?

“Most of the schools that have offered are showing the most interest. A lot of the coaches are recruiting me hard, coming by school to meet with me. A lot of them are keeping in touch over the phone and on Twitter.”

Have you started to put together your camp schedule yet?

“I’m not sure how many camps I’ll attend. I’m planning on going to the Nike Opening. I don’t know if I will go to any college camps. If I do, I will mainly go to camps at the schools that have offered instead of trying to get offers by going to schools that are only showing interest.”

That makes sense. Do you have a commitment timeline in your head for when you would like to end the recruiting process?

“I really have no timeline for my commitment. Once I visit a school and know that I want to be at that school for the next 4-5 years I’ll commit.”

How is your offseason workouts going so far?

“Right now I’m working on speed training and throwing, getting my footwork down. I’m doing a little lifting too.”

Are you playing any spring sports for Sayville?

“Lacrosse.”

Good luck with that. Good luck with your upcoming trips too. Thanks for your time today.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Coan family; Jack at Michigan.

Photo credit: twitter.com; Coan celebrates a touchdown with a Sayville coach.