One to Watch Interview with 2020 South Carolina RB Jamason Jodway

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

One of the surprise standouts in South Carolina 4A high school football during the 2017 season was Jamason Jodway. The surprise was not seeing Jodway succeed on the field but seeing the unknown transplant from Michigan take the field with force making the fans in the stands take notice.

Any sophomore who can be a key contributor to their high school squad is taking a big leap ahead. If said player earns his letter as an impact player, well now we have someone to watch for going forward, and Jodway is one of those guys. The 5-9, 190-pound, tailback helped Hilton Head High School to a 5-5 season as a sophomore rushing for an estimated 1,000 yards with another 250 yards in the passing attack, but his play on the field was not always a given.

Jodway moved to the Hilton Head area over the summer entering his sophomore season. One could not question the Seahawks coaches too much on easing their new player, who is an underclassman, into the mix. But once they did, Jodway flashed his field vision, speed, and ability to break tackles to make plays for his offense. Now college coaches are starting to catch up to Jodway. Smaller schools like Concordia, Lawrence Tech, and Albian College are well-aware of Jodway, but some of the bigger Division-I schools are about to get a crash course on Jodway’s skillset during the summer camp circuit.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Jodway for an in-depth interview covering his sophomore season and offseason workouts.

Interview

Jamason, going into your sophomore year, did you know you would have such a big role within the Seahawks offense?

“I consider myself a play-maker, but not so much. The 2017 season was my first year there. I am thankful it turned out the way it did. When I came down, I was immediately engaged in the program and worked with the coaches. It all went quickly. Early on, I was just trying to do my part to help the team.”

What type of offense do you guys execute?

“We ran a spread. A lot of quick game, inside and outside zone. Towards the end of the year we ran some counter plays. We had a lot of 20-peronnel and then went 21-personnel. We had some speed guys at receiver. Every now and again we’d throw the deep ball.”

How are you used within the offense?

“I did a lot. I am a flex-running back. They used me on screens, flares, and a lot of power runs. Inside and outside zone runs. At slot, I ran quick game routes – slants, ins and outs, some posts and digs.”

What are some of your favorite plays to run?

“I’d say the counter. I feel like when the line is shifting, everything is happening faster. I can see the holes opening better. I can see the backend of the play off a pull. Plus, I have someone to follow.”

How did you overall game get better last season?

“I think I got more confident. Going into the season I was not sure how everything would work out being at a new school. Towards the end of the season, I became more confident and more mature. I realized I could hang with anyone on the field.”

Will we see you utilized in different ways or at multiple positions?

“You will see me on defense this season. My sophomore season was focused on offense. I gave that 100 percent. This year, I will play some at linebacker. We run a 4-4 hybrid. We have a bandit and spur. I will focus on inside linebacker. On offense, I may be more at slot receiver than my sophomore season. My workload should be the same at running back with the schemes and runs we do. I think I will receive more passes out of the backfield.”

What are you working on this offseason?

“That is a good question. I am focused on my speed. I have been in the weight room a lot. This offseason, I want my speed to go through the roof. I want the open-field speed. With track, I am working hard on that. I want to have that translate to football. I am working on my fundamentals and technique, working on my vision and seeing the holes open up. At receiver, I am working on everything but mainly my routes. At linebacker, I am learning our defense and schemes.”

Being an underclassman, and having moved from one state to another, it might be kind of slow right now on the recruiting trail, but do you have schools showing interest in you?

“Yes, sir. Concordia, Albian College, Cumberland Patriot, Western Michigan, and Lawrence Tech in Michigan.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“I took one to Western Michigan, I had a good time there. I am looking to visit some schools for their spring practices. I’d like to visit area schools Clemson and South Carolina. If I have time during my spring break, I am trying to visit Michigan and Michigan State, possibly Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Pitt as well.”

What are some of your off the field hobbies and activities?

“I focus on school. I have been working on my GPA. I want to keep it at a 4.0. I like to hang out with friends. I play some Madden and watch a lot of The Office.”

What is one thing most people would be surprised to find out about you?

“My dedication. I am committed to football. I wake up at 5:20 for morning lifts, go to school, go to track practice, and then football practice right after. My dedication to the game – how much I really want it.”

Jamason, great getting the interview in with you today. Good luck with the rest of your offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

*Click link to see Jamason Jodway’s Hudl reel

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Photo credit: HHI Sport Shots; Jamason Jodway in action

Photo credit: Jodway family; Jamason Jodway (left) at practice