Saguaro 3-Star 2017 TE Jared Poplawski Proving to be a Versatile Every Down Player

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before – an athletic high school tight end who also plays defensive end for his team. It’ll be a little bit harder to stop me with the next one – that same tight end is an asset in the run game and passing attack. Gets a little bit tougher to stop with over 400 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Did your defensive end snag a pass out of the air returning it 90 yards for a touchdown? The big one maybe this – helped guide his team to a second consecutive state championship.

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing 2017 Saguaro High School tight end/defensive end Jared Poplawski.

Poplawski did all of those things during his junior season for his Scottsdale (AZ) team. They 6’4”, then- 225 pound, versatile athlete proved to be able to line up tight on running plays, in the backfield as an H-back, and in the slot as a receiver. The Sabercats called No. 87’s number for 32 receptions covering 438 yards with six scores on offense. Playing part-time on defense, he came up with 20 tackles, 12 solo, 5.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, one pass deflection, and the aforementioned 90-yard pick-six.

The now 6’4”, 230 inching towards 235 pound, talent is set to help the Sabercats claim their third consecutive state title in 2016. Along the way to claim another title, Poplawski will try to do a repeat of his own earning another first team All-State selection as a tight end, first team All-Section, and first team All-City.

Watching him try to best his previous season’s performance will be at least 14 teams that have already extended offers. Among the many includes: Arizona State, Memphis, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon State, UNLV, Hawaii, New Mexico, New Mexico State, San Diego State, Columbia, San Jose State, and Illinois – an offer that came in on Monday.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with the three-star recruit going over his breakout junior season, his offseason workouts, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Jared, when did you get called up to the varsity level?

“I was pulled up to varsity my freshman year but during my junior year is when I really started playing. We’ve been so stacked with talent, it has been hard to get time in on the field.”

Saguaro is always stacked with talent. When you really got a chance to shine last year, what were some of the things that you improved upon during your junior year?

“Basically I was trying to get comfortable competing. I got a better understanding of the routes and defenses during the season. I worked a lot on my route running, my hands, and blocking technique.”

What are some of the things you do well as a tight end?

“I think what separates me from others is I’m not one-dimensional. I can block in the run game and I am a threat in the passing game.”

What are some of the things that make you a threat in the passing game?

“I have great hands and I’m good at using my body to shield off defenders to catch the ball.”

What are you working on in the offseason to prepare for your senior year?

“I’m getting faster and I’m also getting stronger. I’m trying to learn my body type. I’m trying to add weight and lower my 40 time. I’m working on making my routes quicker. I’m trying to sharpen up all aspects of my game.”

Have you maxed out in any of the primary football lifts this spring?

“No. We have not maxed out since January.”

How did spring ball go for you? If possible, will we see you take on a bigger role in 2016?

“Yeah. I will be in and flexed out, and some H-back – more fullback stuff. I started last year at defensive end. This year we have ome transfers coming in at defensive end and linebacker. Players like Kyle Soelle at defensive end. I won’t play as much on defense. We are losing our leading wide receiver. The coaches want to keep me fresh on offense.”

Have you set any goals for the 2016 season yet?

“Just win another state championship. That is my only goal.”

How many offers do you have now?

“Fourteen.”

You got a big offer today (Monday) from Illinois. How did that offer come in for you?

“Coach (Mike) Phair came to our school for spring ball. He was at our school again this week. Our coach (Jason Mohns) called me down to the office to meet with him. He told me they were going to offer me a scholarship and they did.”

That’s great. Of the schools that have offered you, which schools are pushing harder than the others trying to get your verbal commitment?

“The schools pushing the hardest are ASU, another one is Colorado, and Hawaii.”

What about the schools that have not offered yet? Which schools are showing a lot of interest but have not offered?

“Coach tells me Michigan State is showing interest. They really liked me during spring ball. Utah is interested in me. Those are the main schools that have been showing interest.”

Which schools have you take unofficial visits to so far?

“Wisconsin, Miami, Utah, Arizona State, and U-of-A (Arizona).”

How did your trip to Utah go?

“It went really-really well. I really liked the school and how honest they were with me. They told me straight up we are not going to offer you right now, we want to see more. I liked the location. My stepdad lives in Park City, which is about 30 minutes from the school. My mom could see me on the weekends.”

How did your trip to ASU go?

“It was good. I went there for a Junior Day. I’ve been to a few of their football games. Coach (Chip) Lindsey (quarterbacks coach) and Coach (Delvaughn) Alexander (tight ends coach), I like both of them. They are really good guys. I can see myself playing for them.”

Are you going to any camps this summer?

“I might go to the Utah Elite camp on June 20 and the next day I’m flying to Colorado for a visit.”

You have a lot of offers on the table, do you have a timeframe in mind on when you would like to commit?

“I’m not exactly sure. I kind of want to get it done. I don’t want to wait around too much. I do want to take my time to make the right decision. But I have no timeline yet.”

When you make that decision, what are the main factors you will consider in choosing a college?

“Just feeling comfortable around the players and the coaches. I want to have a good connection with my position coach. The comfort level is the main thing.”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“I have a 3.1 GPA.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“Math.”

Do you know what you want to major in once you are in college?

“I’ve been thinking about business. I took a Psych class. I’m thinking about that now too. I’m not sure yet.”

Are there any next level players you like watching play your position?

“My favorite player is Rob Gronkowski. The college player I really like is the tight end for Michigan, Jake Butts. He is a great player.”

Do you play any other sports for Saguaro?

“I’ve played basketball the past two years.”

How did you do this past season?

“I did alright. We went deep in the playoffs. I did not get to join until really late and that put a damper on my playing time. I did not play much but when I was in I played well. We went to the second round of the playoffs.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“Just being close to my teammates and the family feel that you have. I really love the motivation and drive you have when you are playing. Making a big play and the family feel with your teammates are the things I love about football.”

Jared, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming trips.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: eastvalleytribune.com; No. 87 Jared Poplawski celebrates with his teammates.

Photo credit: Poplawski family; Jared at Utah

Photo credit: eastvalleytribune.com; No. 87 Jared Poplawski fights for more yards.