Washington State 2017 DB Commit Tayari Venable Discusses Visit to Cal Golden Bears

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Few teams across the nation will have as much talent on their roster when the 2016 high school football season kicks off as Rancho Cucamonga High School, and even fewer can claim the powerhouse secondary or skill position lineup of the Cougars with Thomas Graham Jr., Jaylon Redd, oft overlooked Darren Hall, and Tayari Venable.

Graham is already committed to USC, Redd is uncommitted but holds 11 reported offers, and Venable is committed to Washington State but recruiting interests are picking up, and in a hurry. The 6’0”, 180 pound, cornerback/safety-wide receiver committed to the Cougars in July but teams like Stanford, Auburn, UCLA, Arizona State, Boston College, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Washington, just to name a few, are all showing heavy interest.

As the college camp and exposure camp circuit starts to pick up, Venable’s recruiting stock is sure to soar. Over the weekend the California talent made it to Berkeley for an unofficial visit with Cal. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Venable after his visit to get the inside scoop on his impressions of the visit and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Tayari, lets jump right into it. How did your visit to Cal go? Walk me through everything you did while you were on campus.

“They did a quick intro and then the coaches talked to us for a little bit. After that we went on a tour, got our jerseys, and then ate lunch. After lunch they had professors talk to us about the many opportunities there with the various academic programs in case you don’t go to the NFL or for a career after the NFL.

“I really liked that they care about life after football, getting a degree, and your grades. Their weight room was the best I have ever seen. It was amazing. They have eight weight room coaches – I can’t remember exactly how big it was but it was huge. Later we went to meet with our position coaches. Coach (Jacob) Peeler (receivers coach) pulled me aside to talk to me at one point. Overall, I really enjoyed myself at Cal.”

What did Coach Peeler talk to you about when he pulled you aside?

“He said he was excited for us to be here. He said if we have any questions about anything to ask him. It felt like I was at home there. All the coaches were showing the love. I just felt at home there.”

Did Coach Peeler talk to you about how you might be used within in their system either on offense or on defense?

“No, not yet. I’m planning on taking another visit up there soon. Hopefully we’ll talk about all of that then.”

You’ve shared a lot of high praise about Cal, the coaches, the academics, and the facilities, was there anything else that caught your eye during your visit?

“Not really. Like I said, I felt like the coaches made me really feel like I was at Home. Sonny Dykes (head coach) is changing everything around up there. The program seems very family orientated. I like that.”

What other visits do you have planned coming up?

“I might visit Washington State for their Junior Day. I want to go to Washington and Notre Dame. If I go to Notre Dame, I’m not sure when I will go.”

Are any of the schools that have not offered you started pushing a little bit harder or showing more interest in you lately?

“I’d say Notre Dame’s interest is picking up. Arizona, Utah, and UCLA are really picking it up too.”

Have any coaches come by your school to talk to you lately?

“Stanford, Northwestern, UCLA, Colorado, and USC have come by to talk to me.”

As an overview of all the schools, what are they talking to you about when you are face-to-face with them?

“They all like me, like what I do on the field, and they all say they will be back in the spring to check me out some more.”

Have you started solidifying your camp schedule yet?

“I’m going to NFTC (Nike) camp in Los Angeles and the Rivals camp. That is it for now, hopefully I get invited to The Opening.”

Tayari, thanks for your time today. Good luck with your upcoming visits and with the exposure camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Venable family; Tayari at Cal.