Interview: Unique Story for 2016 JUCO DL Jaleiren Negrete Nearing Next Chapter

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

From time to time a truly unique story comes forward off the gridiron reminding all of us about the great opportunities junior colleges and colleges present for student/athletes. One of the better stories is about to take an amazing leap forward on Wednesday when former Los Angeles Valley College defensive lineman Jaleiren Negrete signs with a four-year university.

Negrete is on the verge of making a big decision that still may have some twists and turns left before putting pen to paper. His big moment – Decision Day, is Wednesday, June 1, at 2:00 p.m. PT. Before family and friends Negrete will have his choice of 10 schools that have extended offers with three more that might make a last minute pitch adding more elements to the mystery of the day. But all of the building excitement was never part of the original plan.

When Negrete was at Chatsworth High School in the San Fernando Valley (Los Angeles), he was a 5-7, 190 pound, basketball player with aspirations of dribbling his way into college. An unfortunate ACL injury chased away interested college programs leaving Negrete at the proverbial square one having to reshape his future.

Negrete graduated from Chatsworth in 2011 opting to work for a couple of years before finding his way back to college. A chance summer basketball session at Pierce Junior College led to Negrete taking his talents from the hardwood to the field. Pierce’s then- running back coach, now head coach, Jason Sabolic, saw Negrete’s athleticism asking him to come checkout the football program. Negrete gave it a shot going from running back to linebacker eventually working his way into being a defensive lineman – and the rest as they say is history.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Negrete before his big announcement to get the inside scoop on how his story has unfolded on the eve of his big announcement.

Interview

Jaleiren, after playing basketball at Chatsworth High School but not football, what prompted you to give football a try?

“I was playing basketball for Pierce’s summer team. Pierce’s running backs coach at the time thought I had good speed for my size. He pulled me aside and talked to me about the football team. I told him I appreciated his compliments and I kept on practicing. He stayed the whole practice. At that time, they were getting a lot of guys out to four-year schools. I went to the football offices the next day. I loved how high the intensity of their practices were and how fast paced everything was going. It was something I really liked. I sat out that year (2013) to get ready for my freshman season.”

How did you get from Pierce to LA Valley?

“Three of the coaches left Pierce for Valley, I went with them. I switch from running back to linebacker and from linebacker to defensive line. Once I was place as a defensive lineman, I picked up the weight needed to play the position.”

What is your height and weight right now?

“I’m 5-foot 10-inches and 280 pounds.”

You grey-shirted in 2013 and your freshman season was in 2014?

“Technically my redshirt season was in 2014. I played some in 2014 but was given a redshirt year. I have three to play three.”

Your stat line does not match your reel. Do you know your season stats from 2015?

“My best guess, I had 12 tackles – 10 tackles for a loss and two sacks.”

All of your tackles were made behind the line of scrimmage?

“Yeah. We play a 3-4 defense. I’m usually getting double- or triple-teamed. If I get one-on-one with the center, I’m golden. I’m too small and too fast for the O-lineman to get me.”

What are some of the things you do well as a defensive tackle/nose guard?

“I get off the ball really fast and I know how to get my hands on the O-lineman to make him go where I want him to go. Those are the big things I know how to do. My moves are another. Me not being the typical 6-2 or 6-3, 300 pound, nose guard makes my game different. I’m not the typical big guy. Speed and juke moves is what I have to do to get the offensive lineman off me and my hands on him to make the play.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I have 10 offers.”

Which schools have extended offers?

“Tabor, Mid-American, Nazarene, and Grandview from the NAIA. From D-II, I have Arkansas Monticello, Western State Colorado, Adams State, Miles University, Nebraska Kearney, and Livingstone.”

Do you have any schools coming in at the last minute making a pitch?

“Northern Arizona wants to pull the trigger and so does South Dakota. Duquesne likes my film and wants to offer me as well. Those schools are D-I AA.”

So you have 10 offers and three maybes the day before your signing ceremony?

(Laughs) “Yes.”

Have you taken any visits to the schools that have offered you?

“I’ve gone to Tabor. They flew me out there. That is the only school I have visited.”

Are you getting nervous for tomorrow?

“Yeah, I really am. I have met and talked to a lot of great coaches. I’m not one to make people mad or angry about things like this. I know some coaches might be mad. I know it was a business friendship that might be over.”

When you make your final decision, what are some of the things that are important to you that will go into this decision?

“I’m a big family guy. I want to be somewhere that will make me feel comfortable and I will feel at home. I want to want be there and I want to be comfortable when I am there. I’m really big on family. A lot of schools show me love that makes me feel like this is the place to be which makes this decision tougher.”

What degree do you want to pursue once you go to a four-year school?

“I want to pursue my degree in criminal justice. I’ve always wanted to be a probation officer. I grew up adopted. I was with my grandmother. I’ve seen a lot of kids that took the wrong turn. I want to help them out with their lives so other kids do not make that wrong turn in the future.”

After you have signed your letter of intent on Wednesday, what are you going to do to celebrate the big occasion?

“I hope my family takes me out to eat. That is all that I want. I want to get all of this nervous stuff out. I just want to eat and have a good time with my family.”

Jaleiren, thanks for your time today and good luck with your big decision tomorrow.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Negrete family; Jaleiren Negrete at Tabor.

Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 44 Jaleiren Negrete.

Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; LA Valley vs. Antelope Valley (2015).