San Clemente HS linebacker building identity opposite of Utah State OL brothers

Exclusive interview with Riley Whimpey

 

Imagine growing up around a pair of twin older brothers that are both roughly 6-foot 5-inches weighing 300 pounds. Even when all brothers get along perfectly the occasional rough housing takes place with the younger sibling taking the occasional playful pounding.

Older brothers Kevin (left tackle) and Kyle (right guard) Whimpey left home to deliver regular beatings as offensive linemen for Utah State to Mountain West defenders and now younger brother Riley is a linebacker for San Clemente High School delivering punishment on opposing California area ball carriers.

 

Riley, 6-foot 2-inches, 205 pounds, may not be the physically intimidating presence of his older brothers but make no mistake he plays bigger than his size. Eight games into his senior season Riley has totaled 73 solo tackles, 24 assisted, for an impressive 97 total tackles; an average of 12 tackles a game.

Mixed in with his stats are seven quarterback hurries, two sacks, an 85-yard interception returned for a touchdown, two fumble recoveries with one taken back 80-yards for a scoop and score, and four sacks.

In an exclusive interview, Riley Whimpey sat down to talk about moving from Utah his senior season to Orange County California, his recruiting process, and the 2014 season.

Riley, you moved from Highland, Utah over the summer to San Clemente High School, how has the transition been for you?

“Moving heading into your senior year is tough. At first I felt uncomfortable because I didn’t know anyone. Once we started practicing I started feeling more comfortable and made friends with a lot of the guys on the team. The guys have reached out to me and we’ve become great friends. I’ll always remember that.”

How well did you perform for Lone Peak High School last season?

“We made the semi-finals. I didn’t stat the first four games but then the coach put me in and I ended the season leading the Knights in tackles (over 100). I was a Second-Team All-State selection and a First-Team Academic All-Region selection. I had a 4.0 last year.”

How do the Tritons look this year?

“We are 7-1. At practice we are looking good, a lot of athletic guys, as long as we execute we can win.”

What are the strengths of the San Clemente team?

“Our offense is really explosive. Quarterback Sam Donald (USC commitment) has been great. We have a lot of good receivers. On defense, we’re taught to run to the ball, play aggressive, and use “uncommon effort.” Uncommon effort will win games. Uncommon effort is one of the phrases the coaches use.”

What about on defense?

“The strength of our defense starts with our line. Our line is really good. We’ve got two good outside linebackers, we stop the run well. As a team we’ve gotten better defending the pass.”

If a high school football fan was heading to a San Clemente game, who are some of the players to watch?

“We have a lot of guys. QB Sam Darnold, TE Cole Harlow, OL Austin Volling, WR/CB

Jake Russell, he’s very athletic, LT Tucker Scott, he’s done really well, LG Donte Harrington, TE Cole Fotheringham, he’s a junior who has done well, S/RB Tanner Wright, and RB Brandon Reaves. We have a lot of great guys on the team.”

What type of preparation do you put into a typical game week?

“Outside of practice I watch 30 minutes to an hour’s worth of game film each day. We have meetings where we watch film. Our coaches encourage us to watch film on our own. We have to do our part to watch film and be disciplined on the field.”

What do you feel are your strengths on the field?

“I can read the offensive line really well and fast. Off the snap of the ball I know where the ball is going. I’m a big hustle player. I’m all over the field. My preparation has helped me a lot.”

With the change in teams, how has your role changed between the two schools?

“I played middle linebacker for Lone Peak, same as for San Clemente. Everything is similar, we get the calls in, and I get everyone where they need to be on the field. I’ve tried to be a better leader on the field this year.”

Whimpey adds, “The coaches look to me to help bring intensity to the defense from time to time, help pump up the team. They look for me to help out carrying equipment on and off the field, to help lead by example.”

What are your goals for the 2014 football season?

Win a league championship, make the playoffs and CIF, and win a state championship.”

What about for you personally?

“I’d like to be a First-Team All-League selection. I’m hoping for a scholarship offer as well.”

Moving from one state to another has to be difficult in recruiting circles. What schools are showing interest in you?

“I have received interest from Boise State (watching his game this week), Northwestern, UCLA, and Humboldt. San Diego State came by for a meeting. Washington and Utah State have been in contact. I went to BYU on unofficial visit. Navy is coming to meet me this week. Coach (Jamie) Ortiz has been talking to Utah about me as well.”

What type of feedback have you received from these colleges?

“They say I have a nose for the football. They like my power and explosiveness at the point of contact. They like my speed. They like that I am always around the ball and hustling. They like how I can read offenses so I can put myself or my teammates in position to make plays.”

Sounds like one of your goals of receiving a scholarship offer is around the corner, when the times comes to select a school what will some of your criteria on your choosing a college entail?

“Academics, not quite sure yet what I will major in but the quality of education could help decide. Honestly, I’m willing to play wherever. I’ll just be very excited to receive an offer.”

Is there a NFL or college player you model your game after?

“Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly. I really started watching him last year. He’s fun to watch, always around the ball. I really like watching Bobby Wagner too. He plays for the Seahawks and played at Utah State (Round 2 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft).”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“Without a doubt my older brothers, Kevin and Kyle have had the biggest impact on my career. I always played with them when we were younger. Seeing them have the success they’ve had has help push me on and off the field. Learning from them has been great. I send them my game film and they help teach me, giving me tips on how to improve.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I love hitting, the competitiveness, I love working hard. I just love playing football. Everything about football I love. I love the feeling you get after a win.”

 

Maybe unfair to point out but Lone Peak is 5-5 on the season without their stud middle linebacker roaming the field and San Clemente is 7-1. The Tritons are loaded with talent but watching Whimpey play, one can quickly tell the Tritons would not be the same squad without him.

A reoccurring theme when interviewing high school football players is seeing the years of hard work that pays off when the opportunity presents itself.

For Riley he has spent his childhood and entire high school career learning from his older brothers the nuances of the game. When the time has come he has applied the lessons off the field to match his knowledge of the game instructed by his coaches coupled with his physical abilities along with his determination to be successful.

The result is a tackling machine that has torn up offenses in both Utah and California.

What college coach would not want a young man like Riley Whimpey going sideline to sideline for his defense?

 

Photo credit: Whimpey; Riley Whimpey in action for San Clemente.