Interview: Sophomore Season Proves California QB Hank Bachmeier is the Real Deal

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The state of California holds a great tradition of preparing high school quarterbacks for collegiate gridiron battles paving the way to NFL glory. The long list of standouts in the pocket from the Golden State has another addition – Class of 2019 talent Hank Bachmeier.

Bachmeier drew a crowd during his freshman season leading Murrieta Valley to a 9-3 record with a trip to the second round of the playoffs. The stat line was pretty remarkable regardless of grade classification covering 2,854 yards with 36 touchdowns tossed against eight interceptions. Bachmeier wasn’t just winging it on a hope and a prayer but showcased great accuracy hitting 162-of-242 attempts completing 67 percent of his passes.

The pressure was on during his sophomore season to prove that his status as a rising talent was no fluke. Bachmeier did not flinch or crumble under the high expectations taking the Nighthawks to a CIF Championship Game earning state runner-up status after an exciting 45-35 loss to San Clemente High School. During the Nighthawks 11-3 2016 season, their 6-2, 200 pound, quarterback slung the ball around the yard for 3,862 yards with 46 touchdowns. Proving yet again that he is the real deal, Bachmeier completed 234-of-311 yards, a 75 completion percentage, while tossing 46 touchdowns against just three picks.

Another part of his game started to emerge, the all-too important ability to move the chains on the ground. During his freshman season, instead of tucking the ball and running if the first or second read was not there, he stayed in the pocket only escaping for 215 yards on 50 carries with three touchdowns added. As a super sophomore, Bachmeier rushed 78 times for 679 yards with eight more scores posted on designed plays and when the opportunity presented itself.

If the aforementioned stats do not paint a complete picture, it is worth noting that Murrieta Valley was one of the top performing offenses in the nation averaging 50 points per game. The engineer of the offense led the nation in completion percentage and passer rating. Bachmeier’s abilities have not been lost on college coaches. Colorado and UCLA have already offered with teams like Michigan, Arizona, Notre Dame, Arizona State, Alabama, South Carolina, and Clemson showing interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the top quarterbacks in the nation covering his sophomore season, off-season workouts, and recruiting process.

Interview

The Nighthawks had a tremendous season making a run to the state championship game. How did the season move along for you?

“Obviously it was a fun season. We ended up, offensively, as the No. 3 team in nation in total offense and No. 1 in the state. We had an awesome season offensively. We won two games (Santiago and Redlands) and then we lost two games (Grandview, CO, and Rancho Cucamonga). After we were 2-2, we rolled. We beat Oaks Christian (70-62) and Vista Murrieta (42-37), two very good teams and kept rolling. San Clemente was not our best game. They played great. I had an awesome season and I learned a lot too.”

How did your game pick up in the playoffs?

“During the playoffs, I had a great running back (Olita Palmer) with a great offensive line, two senior D-I receivers (Maurice Bell and TJ Griffin), and Class of 2018 receiver Marquis Spiker. The weapons and the line I had gave me confidence. In the playoffs we had that goal of winning the championship. We had that goal. We wanted it and everyone worked their tails off. We got there, we just did not win it. The run game opened up the passing game. Our coaches did a great job of calling great plays all season. I was lucky to get the ball to the right place because of our coaches and the talent we had on the team.”

Which team was the toughest for you to go up against in 2016?

“Being honest, we were 2-0 then lost two. Rancho Cucamonga was one of those tough teams. They were one of the well-respected teams in California last season. At that time when we played them, we were not a team yet. I think if we had played them later we would have won. The Oaks Christian game was a grinder. We had to grind it out to get the “W.” It was tough, they have a tremendous offense. That was a shootout. They had a lot of great players.”

How did those games make you a better quarterback?

“It made us better as a team. It gave us confidence. Going into that Oaks Christian game, no one believed in us. We were their homecoming game. That was one thing that drew us together. The game itself, being able to say to all of the guys ‘we have to finish this and we can get it done’ and then do it. You have to compete all the way through and finish strong.”

Murrieta Valley will obviously miss Olita Palmer’s 2,400 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns. Who will be the guys to fill his shoes next season?

“I don’t know. We have some young guys competing for that spot. It will be a great competition.”

What about in the passing attack? You are losing Maurice Bell and Teirron Griffin but you do have Marquis Spiker back. Who are some of the guys that will have a big role within the passing game in 2017?

“First, my entire O-line comes back instead of one guy. Up front we are going to be just as good if not better than last year. That is a huge advantage. I want to say one thing to the big boys up front – I appreciate everything you have done for me. Let’s get back to work and chase a ring. Clay Hatch (OG), Antony Pardue (OT), Adam Meyer (OT), Kimo Waialae (OC), and one who is graduating, he’s a senior Tanoa Fedler (OG) – thank you for all that you do. Tanoa’s little brother, Luteru Fedeler (OG), will replace him next season.”

Will the passing attack change at all next season?

“Spiker is coming back. I think he is the best receiver in the nation. We have some freshmen coming in, Emillo Valencia and Taliq Brown. Those two guys – I think they will improve throughout the off-season and make a difference in 2017.”

After throwing for over 3,800 yards during your sophomore season, what pressure do you feel to replicate or exceed that success as a junior?

“The numbers were great, but the numbers are not the biggest thing. Progressing mentally is the biggest part. Making sure the line is getting their protection and me being able to identifying coverages and blitzes is important. I want to get the run game stuff down better. Pre-snap – knowing where I am going with the ball, stuff like that. I feel like that is where I can improve a lot this off-season. In our offense, the stats will be there, but the stats are what they are. I just want to progress mentally and with my team as a player.”

Let’s switch over to recruiting. You just picked up an offer from UCLA (Jan. 16). How did the Bruins offer you?

“I had talked to their offensive coordinator when he was at Michigan – Jeff Fish. I went to a Michigan camp over the summer so I had a previous relationship with him. When he got to UCLA he offered me. It was his first scholarship offer. That was a humbling experience with his background. I was honored to receive the offer.”

Which schools have you taken unofficial visits to so far?

“I went to Arizona over the summer and I went to Notre Dame during the season. Notre Dame was my only visit during the season. I had an opportunity to go visit my Grandpa’s favorite school. That was an awesome experience. They will be up there for me.”

Do you have any upcoming visits planned?

“I have not planned anything out yet. I have an idea on plans for the summer. This spring I am not sure. One I want to check out is Colorado. They were my first offer so I want to check out Colorado.”

Do you have any ideas on which schools you might visit this summer?

“It is still early but I am looking to visit Alabama, South Carolina, Clemson, and I think we will go Midwest to Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Notre Dame. That is the idea but I’m not sure yet. Maybe Ole Miss and Washington as well.”

Are you going to any exposure camps coming up?

“I was just at the Rise and Fire Camp in LA. I’m going to the Nike Opening Regionals in LA, the Rivals Camp, and the Under Armour Camp.”

You have talked about wanting to progress this off-season on the mental aspect of the game, what are some of the other areas of your game you will work on during the off-season?

“Like I mentioned, the mental side. The X’s and O’s. I want to improve on that as much as I can. Physically I want to be bigger, faster, and stronger. I want to increase my mobility and open up my hips more. Mechanically – I want to get sequenced up with the throw. I want to make sure my hips are coming through correctly, shoulder closed, and with good energy with the ball. I will work on mechanics as much as I can.”

Hank, thanks for your time today and good luck with all of your upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Mike Clary Photography; No. 19 Hank Bachmeier in the pocket.

Photo credit: Valley News: No. 19 Hank Bachmeier finds an open lane.

Photo credit: Bachmeier family; Hank Bachmeier at Notre Dame (2016).