Interview: Rising 2018 California QB Jalen Hamler Dishes on Recruiting and Workouts
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
In football, the regular season is the proving grounds but the off-season makes the player. All the hard work, dedication, and attention in improving one’s game during the ‘second season’ shines bright under the Friday night lights in the fall. After a breakthrough season a year ago, Lawndale High School dual-threat Jalen Hamler is ready to showcase his growing skills in 2017 after a diligent spring and summer on the practice field.
Hamler jumped firmly onto the deep California quarterback recruiting scene after hitting 111-of-183 passes for 2,013 yards with 23 touchdowns tossed during his junior campaign. Perhaps most impressively, the 6-2, 190 pound, rising talent only threw two picks. Beyond spinning it around the yard, Hamler also rushed for 599 yards off 81 totes with eight more scores going up on the board.
Interest is starting to pick up ahead of the 2017 schedule for Hamler with schools like Army, Air Force, Utah State, Northern Arizona, and Arizona State all keeping an eye on his progress. Cal Poly and Montana State are the first two programs to drop an offer for the Los Angeles area recruit with Hamler committing to Cal Poly on June 28.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Hamler covering his off-season workouts and college camp circuit with a preview to the 2017 schedule.
Interview
Jalen, how have your off-season workouts come along?
“Good. I’ve been working out every day with my team and with my QB coach getting right. I’ve been getting ready for the upcoming season.”
What all have you been working on this summer?
“My anticipation, footwork, strength, and knowledge of the game.”
What areas of your mechanics have you tightened up or improved upon the most this off-season?
“I used to have a long release, I’ve worked to shorten it up. I’m getting the ball out quicker than last year and I’m using my legs even more in my passes.”
Have you attended any camps this spring or summer?
“I went to a Cal Poly and a Utah State camp (Redlands) this summer.”
What other schools were there in attendance?
“Northern Arizona and Colorado were at the at Utah State camp. At the Cal Poly camp, it was just Cal Poly.”
Which of the two camps was your best performance?
“I feel like I performed well at both of them. If I had to pick, maybe the Utah State camp was a little bit better than my Cal Poly camp.”
What did you do well at the Utah State camp?
“Completing passes, being a leader, and I won the fastest man competition for a QB. The environment was cool up there and the coaches noticed me.”
What are some of the things you’ve learned about the game this spring and summer that will help you on the field during your senior year?
“Coverages – learning what the defenses want to do and how they are trying to stop you. I’m going out there now knowing what will be open before the play starts.”
Did you take any unofficial visits this spring or summer?
“I went to Cal Poly for an unofficial (June 26).”
How did that visit go for you?
“It was pretty cool. I love the campus and the school. Cal Poly was the first school that took a chance with me and gave me an offer. I appreciate that.”
Do you have any unofficial or official visits set up for the rest of this summer or for the fall?
“I was going to talk to one of the coaches at Montana State about a visit. I am hoping to go on the 9th with other recruits and friends for a visit.”
When does Lawndale get into the flow with fall camp that will lead into the 2017 season?
“We’ve already started summer practices.”
You guys go straight forward from now until the end of the season?
“Yes, sir. Our dead period is over. We are ready to go.”
How does the team look heading into the season?
“I feel like we look strong and will be very good. We have a very promising season coming up. We will have a lot of tension on us, we will turn heads this year. I’m ready to get going.”
What goals have you set for yourself for the 2017 campaign?
“I want to go undefeated. I want a CIF championship this year.”
Have you done anything fun this summer during your downtime?
“No. It has been all work this summer. This is my senior year, I have only been working. That is it.”
Jalen, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your summer practices.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Jalen Hamler Rise and Fire camp (2017)
Photo credit: Hamler family; Jalen Hamler pre-game (2016)