Two-Way All-District Performer Aiden Inesta-Rodriguez Ready to Lay it on 6A Texas Teams Again
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The game film says it all with Class of 2022 Brandies High School (San Antonio) standout Aiden Inesta-Rodriguez. Rodriguez is a speed burner with technique shutting down 6A Texas defenses at corner. With laser clocked 4.37 speed turned in at a Rivals camp this offseason, the coaches on the Broncos’ staff have worked him into the game plan anyway possible. His 35-game career as a starter has turned into 40-plus tackles, 10 interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a sack. On special teams he has blocked five kicks and has tallied four total touchdowns with time also spent on offense as a receiver.
College programs are finally catching on with six offers dropped seeing Rodriguez (5-7, 155) earning his first D-I offer from Morgan State in June, he stopped by the RNG Lab to update us on his offseason workouts and college camp circuit.
Interview
Aiden, your speed and athleticism was a major asset for the Broncos throughout the 2020 season making an impact in all three phases of the game. Where all did you line up on the field during your junior campaign?
During my junior year, I was mostly at corner. That has been my position since five-years-old. I would line up at slot on offense and on special teams at punt and kick returner, and I blocked some punts as well. They had me on PATs to try to block field goals; I did block a couple of those.
What style of offense were you guys running?
We ran more of a Spread. We had three receivers but we’d mix it up with four receivers and no tight end with a running back. Sometimes we had two running backs and one tight end. We’d mix it up depending on who we were playing week to week.
Which routes were you running within the scheme?
Seams, corners, digs, out routes – the whole route tree pretty much.
When you closed out your junior year, what did you feel were the strengths to your game on offense?
I believe I am un-guardable. I don’t think anyone can stick with me, especially in the slot going against a linebacker. Playing 7v7 helps a lot. That helps me find the holes in the defense. Playing defense, I know where the holes are and can sit in them making defenses vulnerable.
Let’s going over to your primary side of the ball. What style of defense did you guys execute last season?
We ran a 4-2-5 with some variations. We typically had five floating around in the back.
Which coverages were you guys running?
We usually ran Cover 2, but we’d mix it up. Cover 2 on one side and Cover 3 on the other side to mess with the quarterback.
When the 2020 season ended, what were your strengths on defense?
I believe I can shut down a whole side of the field. The San Antonio quarterbacks know me. When they look my way, they know that receiver is not open. In a zone, I am reading and reacting off them. Being able to shutdown half of the field is a huge help.
This offseason, what have you been working on with the fundamentals?
Since I was little my father taught me eyes and feet are important. If you get those down with hips, you will be good. I have been working on my eyes and feet and my discipline. I have been working on my backpedal, routes, and staying low.
Playing receiver helps. I know tendencies. I have also been learning from other cornerbacks, what they have done well and apply that to my game. Feet are important, hands are a tool. If you are doing it right, you don’t need your hands.
Taking your speed to that next level, what have you been doing?
Track was a humongous help. My freshman and sophomore year, I played basketball. This year I came in middle of the track season. I came in and ran track, I did not play basketball. Running track helped my speed.
Which events did you run?
The 100, 200, and all the relays. Track was a big help. I run 40s on my off time. If I had combines to go to, we’d go up to high school to work on the basics: footwork, ladder drills, and pro agility drills – all the combine stuff.
Did you PR in the 100?
I never ran an open 100, but in the open 200 I ran a 22.8. In the 4×1 relay, I ran a 10.3.
That is smoking.
Yes, sir.
A minute ago, I asked about the fundamentals that you were working overall. Drilling down, what have you been working on with your game as a receiver?
Selling myself as an athlete Being a DB, that helps out with the moves on offense. I learn from people on offense too. When someone jukes me, I will apply it to my receiver game. I am always learning. Footwork, my pad level, reacting, my hands, and getting off the line. I’ve been focusing on quickness and footwork.
And what about on defense?
Pretty much the same things. One of the main drills has been not using my hands. I’ll get a receiver and work against him with my hands behind me staying in front using my eyes and feet.
Did you get to compete at any national camps this offseason?
I went to a Rivals camp.
How did the Rivals camp go for you?
It was a lot of fun. I proved myself during the combine. I ran a 4.37 laser. That was huge. That was really awesome for me being able to prove myself. On the second day, it was all business. My father and I talked, he said “you have to prove that you are one of the best in the country.” That was the plan. I knew I was going to be invited back for the second day. Then it was time to lock everyone down, and that is what I did.
Love it. Did you perform at any college camps?
Yes, sir. I’ve been crazy busy. There have been so many, I cannot count them all: UT (Texas), TCU, UIW (Incarnate Word), UTSA, Tarlton, ACU (Abilene Christian), and I am about to go to McNeese in a couple of days.
The Texas camp, that is a big one. Tell me about that camp.
It was a lot of fun. There was a lot of great talent there. I had a visit there before the camp; that was a lot of fun trying on the uniform and seeing the trophies. I went there to prove myself, and that is what I did. I tried to get multiple reps on both sides but primarily I was on defense. That was a lot of fun.
How did you do during the one-on-ones?
I know I won over 10 reps with only one catch on me. Spit-balling, that was over 14 reps.
Nice. And your TCU camp performance?
That was pretty good. I have a relationship with Coach (Jeremy) Modkins (CB). They also had me take an unofficial before the camp. That was a cool camp as well with a lot of talent there. The one-on-ones, that was a lot of fun. There were some fast-quick and tall guys there; they were really a challenge, and I love to compete. I was only caught on twice. That is the most ever at a camp. I did 16 to 19 reps at that camp. I was all over the place that day.
Let’s get into your recruiting. Which programs are now showing interest?
TCU, I talk to them often, UT, and UTSA is a big one; I am in San Antiono. UIW and Tarlton are showing interest too. That is all I can think of right now.
How many offers do you have?
I have six.
Which schools have offered?
Recently I got A&M-Kingsville, Morgan State was my first D-I offer, Doane (NE), Culver Stockton, Lawrence Tech, and Southwestern University (TX) have offered.
You talked about a couple of visits taken this summer, which schools did you visit?
UIW, they were the most recent one, UT, UTSA and I have another visit to UTSA coming up, TCU, and I might go on a visit at McNeese.
Aiden, I appreciate your time today. Wishing you and the Broncos the best as you guys prepare for the upcoming season.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Photo credit: Inesta-Rodriguez family; Aiden Inesta-Rodriguez