One to Watch Interview with Rising 2022 California QB AJ Perez
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Playing behind three-star Class of 2020 quarterback Ryan Zanelli at Southern California powerhouse La Habra, AJ Perez learned the backdrop to the game first-hand better understanding leadership, poise, and how the game is played from inside the pocket. Once the 2020 California high school football season kicks off, Perez will be lighting up scoreboards for Huntington Beach High School with the opportunity to truly showcase his developing skills.
The 6-4, 205-pound, talent has been working tirelessly this offseason with quarterback coach Danny Hernandez strengthening his overall game to that of an elite California prospect. Now comes the breakout campaign for Perez.
With his first season coming up with the Oilers, the 3.4 GPA student-athlete already has recruiting interest coming in from Eastern Washington, Syracuse, Appalachian State, and Cal Poly.
For insight on his game and new offense with Huntington Beach, Perez made his first trip to the RNG Lab.
Interview
AJ, you are lining up with a new team in 2020 playing for Huntington Beach. What style of offense will you be running with the Oilers when the season gets going?
A lot of shotgun sets. We will throw it a lot and we have a good running back. We will be running a pro-style with some west coast offense.
How does your skills as a quarterback fit the offense?
I can do it all. I have a good arm and I can get the ball anywhere on the field. That is a strong suit of mine. One of the underrated things to my game is my speed. That should change with the west coast offense and running some RPOs (run-pass option).
During the 2019 season at La Habra, you got to see one of California’s top quarterbacks in action watching Ryan Zanelli (UPenn) work. What were some of the things you picked up from him that has helped your progress on the field?
Being a really good leader. He did a good job of leading the team and being someone for the whole team could look up to. He was really smart and a very good game manager. Anyone could go to him for any questions they had.
What have you been working on with your fundamentals to prepare for the season going against Sunset League competition?
The Sunset League is a challenging league. The biggest thing is working with Coach Danny (Hernandez). We’ve been cleaning up everything and fine-tuning everything for me to perform at my best. I have focused a lot on my progressions and reads.
You just mentioned a few things that you’ve been working on with Coach Danny, what else have you been working on with him?
The biggest thing for me, mechanically I have always been clean, the biggest thing is my progression and knowing what the defense is giving me. We have been doing some off-platform stuff and working on extending plays while throwing off any arm angle.
From your sophomore season to now, where are you seeing the improvements?
From last year to now, I am putting time in on my overall strength and speed. The biggest translation is my velocity and fitting into a lot of different windows.
How have you expanded your understanding of the game over the offseason?
Coach Danny is really pushing me on the white board. I do watch a lot of film and break it down. I go over the different game scenarios to learn more. Having that understanding, that will lead to success in my own game.
Are you playing 7v7 this winter?
Yes, I have been playing with Dynasty for a while. We have tournaments lined up.
Have you played as a team in any tournaments yet?
We played in one last weekend. That went okay.
With your Oilers’ receiving corps, what have you been doing to develop that chemistry ahead of the season?
The biggest thing coming in during COVID is trying to throw as often as we can. I try to throw up to five times a week. Me knowing their routes and them knowing how I like to throw it is very important. I have been working with them on a consistent basis for the right timing.
What is at least one thing you are ready to show the fans and college coaches once you guys take the field for the 2020 schedule?
One thing I want to show is who I am. I have been under the radar. This will be a big season for me showing my talents, talents not many have been able to see yet.
AJ, I really enjoyed the time today. Thank you. And good luck with your upcoming 7v7 season.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Perez family; AJ Perez