Roseville 4-Star Class of 2017 TE Jimmy Jaggers is among the Best in the nation

The tight end position is an oft overlooked but critical piece to any offense. Due to ever evolving offenses on the gridiron, the tight end position is actually one of the most versatile positions one can play.

To be a good tight end in an I-formation set the tight end has to be able to block defensive ends, linemen, and outside linebackers essentially becoming an offensive tackle. In a spread offense the tight end has to be as dependable as a slot or outside receiver sometimes even lining up in the backfield as an H-back looking to fill the role of a fullback.

No other position on the field, down after down, requires, better yet, demands the athleticism, speed, strength, and power of a tight end. The heavy demands have made finding a quality tight end more difficult year after year among college recruiters.

One player that stands out as one of the best in the 2017 recruiting class is Roseville High School’s Jimmy Jaggers.

Jaggers, 6’4”, 234 pounds, is already considered one of the top tight ends in the nation despite playing in a run heavy offense during his sophomore season. Even after pulling down just three passes for 64 yards with one touchdown college recruiters have come-a-calling. Louisville and Northwestern have dropped offers with schools like Notre Dame, Northwestern, Miami, and Michigan asking for unofficial visits to see the big man in person.

The highlight reel for the Roseville, California star shows an angry blocker who locks onto his target and keeps on going. Luckily for Jaggers there are 7×7 tournaments that show his true versatility in the passing game. Watching him first hand swallow up darts from B2G 5-Star starting quarterback Patrick O’Brien (San Juan Hills) one can see why 247Sports.com rates Jagger as the No. 4 tight end in the nation.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview Jimmy sat down to talk about playing for Roseville High School, off season workouts, and taking unofficial visits to top Division-I programs across the nation.

 

Jimmy, Roseville finished the 2014 season 6-5 after a first round 14-6 playoff loss to Del Oro. Did you have a good idea heading into the season that you guys would make the playoffs?

“We knew our team was going to be pretty good. We were pumped up for that. We dropped our first two games. In the third game got a win then started league with two losses. That was a gut check. Then we went on to win six games in a row. In the playoffs we kept it close. If you ask anyone on our team we thought we should have won it. We’re ready to make that run into this year.”

How did you prep for the season knowing you were going to play on the varsity team for the season?

“Summer was a big learning curve for me. That’s where I got used to varsity, playing with the team.”

You said you guys are ready to make a run, how do the Tigers look heading into the 2015 season?

“I think it’ll be a little different. There will be a lot of juniors playing next year. We have kids that can play. It’s all about stepping up. We have a lot of juniors that played defense last year coming back. Everyone has been good about coaching up teammates. The juniors are helping out the sophomores so that’s been really nice.

“I think we’ll be pretty strong, everyone’s working. Everyone is really working hard in the weight room and with the playbook. Everyone knows the potential we have. It’s hard to tell but I think is pretty promising.”

Is the team going through any big changes in the coaching staff this year?

“Our DC is leaving. That might have a little something to do with our defense this season but we’ll keep it the same as last year. Both sides of the ball will have to rely on each other. Everyone needs to understand the plays and their jobs. We have to get the guys ready to play at the varsity level and part of that is knowing your job.”

What are your strengths on the field at tight end?

“So far, talking to all the college coaches, they mention my physicality and my mentality. I feel like I did not get to show my route running and pass catching last year. That’s what playing 7×7 is for.”

What is your approach to dominating as a run blocker?

“That’s one thing that I really pride myself on. I’m not a little tight end that just runs routes, I can do it all. I work at being able to block. I have that mentality that I’m going to drive them into the ground. That’s something I have worked really hard at. I know that it’s hard to find a tight end that can do it both. Being able to do both helps me when it comes to recruiting.”

What are you strengths on the field as a defensive end?

“The mentality and physicality I bring to the defense. I keep my motor running. I make sure that I keep going and I don’t quit on plays. I’m always chasing the ball. I don’t quit on plays.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“Definitely, as a team, to get further into the playoffs. The one-and-done is something I don’t want to feel again. I don’t know about personal goals other than that. As long as I get better every step of the way.”

What schools are recruiting you right now?

“Louisville and Northwestern have offered. I’ve been talking to coaches from different schools. I have a lot of interests from several different schools. It’s kind of difficult since I am a sophomore. It’s tough for them to get in touch with me and hard to have that serious conversation.”

You’ve been on the road a lot lately hitting up several schools on unofficial visits. What schools have you been to so far?

“I had Northwestern on Monday. I’ve visited Notre Dame and Michigan. Washington State came by the school to see me workout on the field on Thursday. USC came by on Thursday too. I received letters from SDSU and from Tennessee recently. Nebraska and Utah came by the school on Wednesday. I’ve had Stanford’s tight end coach follow me on Twitter and San Jose State. Miami coach told me to keep in touch. Oregon State has just been recently in my mix.”

What has stood out to you when taking some of these unofficial visits? What has impressed you about the different schools?

“I went on a few as a freshman and a few this year. Every school has something a little bit different to offer. I’ve been impressed with each school. Notre Dame is rich with tradition and history. Northwestern has high academics, not everyone can walk in and play there. Michigan, their stadium, the Big House, took my breath away when we walked onto the field. Miami was the same as Notre Dame, all the pros and Hall of Famers that have gone there. That was cool going there. UCLA, their campus was something that I really liked. It was really neat. Everyone has respect for the campus at UCLA.”

What is your time frame on making a decision?

“I’ve been thinking about that a lot recently. As it’s shaping up I’ll have a few options. I’ve thought about it but I don’t know yet.”

What will influence you when you make that decision?

“It’s the area of the school and the people that I’ll be around at that school. I’m talking to my mom and dad, my family, about what I should do. They’ll be able to talk me through my thought process before I make a decision.”

Are you going to any college camps this summer?

“Yeah, so far we’re going to Louisville for sure. I might go to a Tennessee camp after Louisville. Utah is coming to Sacramento, that’s just 15 minutes away. I’ll try to go to that one. I might go to the USC camp on June 20 or June 24-25. I’m playing it by ear if I am available. San Jose State invited me to their camp. I’ll go there if I can make it. They’re having a camp close to my house.”

Do you play any other sports for Roseville?

“I play basketball. I was on varsity as a freshman.”

What position do you play?

“Center. I’m a little short. That’s pushing me to football (laughing).”

What is your game like on the court?

“I pretty much bring over my football mentality. I actually broke my foot in the fourth game of the season in football. I had two stress fractures. It was enough that it hurt, but I thought it was just a tweak. I played on it the rest of the season. After the season I got it checked out. The injury hurt my basketball season. I was not in shape this year. I was in foul trouble every single game. Most of it was being overly aggressive. I would consider my play normal for a football player (laughing)”

Now that you are healed up from your injury, what are you doing in the offseason to prepare for you junior season and all the college camps?

“I’m working with Al Biancani, he’s my strength and agility trainer. He was the athlete development guy over in China working with women’s development. He’s one of the best trainers I’ve been too. I’ve seen improvements.

“I workout on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with my trainer. Then I have my 7×7 team B2G 5-Star practices or games. That’s out of Los Angeles. I’ve been in LA for the past 2.5 months every weekend or wherever our next tournament is. I’m working out at school too, first period we workout and lift weights. All that stuff together is what I am doing to prepare.”

When you watch football games on Sunday during the season who do you like watching play the game?

“I like Tony Gonzalez and Jimmy Graham. I watch those guys when I can. They are guys I like to play like. They’re big bodies, tough, and physical. Gronk (Rob Gronkowski – New England Patriots) is monstrous. I’d like to play like him.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

My dad (Jim) has had the biggest impact on me, for sure. He’s been the one that has been pro active. Scott Collie (Austin Collie’s dad) is my tight end/receiver coach. He’s the one that has made me able to be a tight end. We run routes and breakdowns. He works with me on all of that. My dad was able to get me there. He found B2G. He’s put a lot of time and effort into helping me accomplish what I want to accomplish.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I just love the game. I love being around it. I love the work and effort you put into it to get results. I love smash mouth football. I love being physical and aggressive. That’s okay in the football world. I truly fell in love with that part of the game.”

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: Gareth Lindo photography; Jimmy Jaggers at B2G practice