Preseason Interview with 3-Star 2022 Simi Valley QB Travis Throckmorton
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
With the game experience and countless hours of practice reps fine-tuning his craft, Travis Throckmorton has pushed his skills to that of a future Division I quarterback. At the end of the 2019 season, the 6-2, 195-pound, field general had marched his Simi Valley High School squad through a four-game run of the California playoffs posting a 10-4 record. The three-star recruit completed 65 percent of his passes along the way covering 2,015 yards with 17 touchdowns against just three interceptions in 258 pass attempts. The small details to his game that make a huge difference to his offense, the arm action, and understanding of the game has impressed college scouts. Three offers are on the table and more are ready to see the development over the offseason in live action.
In an RNG first-look interview, Throckmorton made a stop at the Lab covering ground on his workouts, recruiting, and upcoming 2020 California football season.
*Click link for Travis Throckmorton’s QB Hit List profile page
Interview
Travis, you were airing it out in the Pioneers Spread offense during the 2019 season. As a quarterback, how does that offense fit your skills?
Actually, we will be doing even more this season. We have a bigger receiver corps with some transfers that have come in. We have solid dudes this season at receiver, and they are familiar with the offense. This season, we are now an Air Raid offense. That works with my skillset. That will help with the more experienced receivers.
How were defenses lining up against you last season?
It was tough. I was seeing a lot of Cover 2 defenses. We saw a lot of straight up typical defense, along with some Cover 3 and man. Towards the playoffs, they started blitzing their backers more. That was tough for our offensive line, but they did a good job picking them up. We made it deep into the playoffs.
What were some of the routes your guys were running?
10-yard outs, curls, flats, post-dig concepts, all the typical passing tree routes.
With the experience last season, where did you see the overall improvements in your abilities?
I think I have improved tremendously, especially this offseason. This whole year allowed me to further develop both physically and mentally. I am more than ready for this season. It should be exciting.
There are little pieces to your game that you do to get your receivers open, looking the other way and the pump fake. What are some of the other strengths to your game?
Being more elusive and scrambling. I am trying to become more of a dual-threat. The game is shifting more to making plays on the run. I am perfecting that. It works into my whole game.
This offseason, what have you been working on to perfect your technique?
Footwork and basic mechanics with my different coaches. The different quarterback coaches are giving me better input on my craft. As mentioned, I am working on throwing more on the run and getting out of sticky situations.
I saw the workout video of you with QB coach Sam Fisher, what have you been working on with Coach Fisher?
We’ve been working on footwork, mechanics, my hips, and my follow through with my motion. And we’ve been working on throwing on the run.
The 2020 season is officially happening in California. What is the Simi Valley practice schedule?
We’ve been doing five days a week for like 20 weeks. We’ve been working on routes, conditioning, and some in the weight room. When we’ve gotten together, we’ve been in pod groups; it was kind of frustrating. We had a legit practice today (Tuesday) doing team work and 7v7 offense against the defense. It was exciting.
You mentioned earlier that the 2020 offense will be more of an Air Raid attack?
Yes. Our offense, passing wise, will be strong and dominate this year.
This offseason you have worked on every part of your game over and over. When the season officially kicks off, what are you ready to showcase in the games?
I want to show that I am ready and that I have been working hard. This season, I am proving everyone wrong that has been doubting me. This is my year to shine. I am ready to show my talents. This will be a good year with our team. We have been mentally focused, and we are focused on going undefeated. We are mad about last season coming up short. When we get going, we will show it this season on the field.
Turning to recruiting. How many offers do you have?
Three; Florida Atlantic, Nevada, and Southern Miss.
Which was the first to offer?
Southern Miss
Receiving that offer, what was that moment like for you?
It was surreal. I was only in eighth grade and I didn’t know what getting offers was like. It happened in the moment. It was very exciting. I knew I had to pick it up from there and see what happens.
Which programs are showing interest ready to see you this season?
West Virginia, San Diego State, UCLA, Colorado State, Yale, and Liberty a little bit.
Visits should be back on come June. When that happens, which programs would you like to see?
I will take one to every school that is showing interest to try to meet the coaches and see the program. I want to see which offense goes best with my skill set. If possible, I’d like to tour all of them to see my options.
Travis, thanks for your time today. Wishing you and the Pioneers a successful 2020 season this spring.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Throckmorton family; Travis Throckmorton