Interview: Big Progress in the Pocket made for 2019 California QB Ryan Stevens

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Action Photo: Raymond Joyce Photography

Twitter: @RJPSports

Some quarterbacks make life in the pocket look easy, especially guys like Ryan Stevens. The Class of 2019 rising star turned in an exceptional first full season in the pocket in 2017 rising to the challenges set before him helping his squad move into the national rankings in the process. But, perhaps even more impressive was the gains Stevens made with his skillset of the course of 11 games.

Playing quarterback for Chaminade High School is not easy. The Eagles, under the direction of head coach Ed Croson, are a California powerhouse which in turn makes them one of the best teams in the nation year after year. The expectation to win is always there meaning whoever is the field general for Chaminade is expected to deliver. Stevens (6-1, 175) stepped in as a starter in 2016 about midway through the schedule hitting 83-of-130 attempts for 1,269 yards with nine touchdowns.

Stevens’ accuracy as a sophomore, completing 64 percent of his passes, catches immediate attention, but how would he do through a full slate of tough games? The lefty lived up to the hype tossing for 2,698 yards with 22 touchdowns while completing 64 percent of his passes once again. He also added a little dual-threat to his game rushing for 266 yards with another score. With Stevens guiding the team, the Eagles posted a 9-2 mark on the year taking defeats against two Trinity League teams, St. John Bosco, the No. 5 ranked team in the country, and Orange Lutheran, the No. 12 ranked team in California. The run into the first round of California’s Division-I playoffs earned the Eagles a No. 12 national ranking, falling to No. 33 after the loss to the Lancers.

Interest has poured in for Stevens from Washington, Cal, Harvard, Columbia, Penn, Yale, Princeton, UCLA, and USC among others. The getting to know you round is taking a big step forward with a visit already taken to Washington State and planned trips to Duke and Utah coming.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Stevens getting his take on the 2017 season and an update on his recruiting interest.

Interview

Ryan, the 2017 season was a successful one for the Eagles posting a 9-2 record. How did the season go for you?

“The season went well, I learned a lot. I tried to build off the offense and as a team leader. We had a tough loss against Orange Lutheran in the first round of the playoffs. We could not pull out that last drive. The season came to an end before we wanted. I am proud of the team and our play on the field. We had a good regular season played and well against really tough competition.”

What were some of the strides you made in your game this year?

“I took advantage of the deep ball and one-on-one matchups this year. I improved a lot with my timing. My timing based routes were better this year than last year. Knowing the different speeds of each receiver, I grew my game hitting the wideouts more.”

All competitive athletes seek to improve one year to the next, what are some of the things you plan on working on this offseason?

“Getting bigger, stronger, and faster. That is all that matters in our league. All the workouts come into play in games, and it shows. Speed and strength will be the focus, and getting more weight on me. I was lucky to not get injured this season. I want to add weight and size to be tough enough to do that again.”

Are you going to work with a quarterback coach this offseason?

“I work with Rob Harding. I have started in the weight room already – I started on Sunday. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday I’m lifting. I’m back on the workout grind. I have already started with my QB coach, he coaches at Chaminade. That is helpful. We get to work on the offense and my game at the same time.”

Have you started looking ahead to any camps you might attend?

“I’m going to the Rise and Fire Camp again, I’m looking forward to that. I’m pretty sure I am doing the (Nike) Opening again. I am also looking forward to working out with some 7v7 teams. I want to find my fit in that area. I want to work with some high-level athletes this offseason. I want to work on getting better with and against top players.”

When will you start pulling the guys returning to the team for the 2018 season together to start working for next year?

“As a team, we start in January. I have already met with some of the kids to start working out. I want to start building team comradery and grow that going into next season.”

Based on the guys on the roster now, what kind of team will the Eagles have next year?

“I think we will have a lot of transfers coming in, some have talked to me about coming in as a receiver and some linemen too. We will be good again next year. I feel more comfortable as a leader on the team and as a quarterback after this season. I feel like I can lead this team to new heights next year.”

You’ve had a lot of interest building throughout the year, which schools are showing interest in you now?

“Duke, UNC (North Carolina), and Washington State – they really like me and I like them a lot. I’m getting looks from UCLA and a lot of other Pac-12 schools. I have talked to Northwestern. Hawaii and Tennessee are also showing interest.”

You’ve taken an unofficial to Washington State, do you have any visits scheduled?

“I’m going to Duke on Saturday and then to Utah the following weekend, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.”

What has you excited about visiting Duke?

“I am real excited to visit Duke. They are one of the top academic schools in the country and have a good football program. Their academics are phenomenal, and the school is in a beautiful area. My sister visited there when I was younger, I went with her. It is really pretty there.”

What about Utah, what has you excited about spending time with the Utes?

“I am pumped for Utah. They have been sending me letters each day. I have talked to their QB coach, Coach (Troy) Taylor, every week after each game. We talk about the game and how it went. He wants me to keep in touch. I’m pumped about going out to see him and the football team.”

Do you plan on playing any winter or spring sports?

“I was thinking pitching with baseball or Lacrosse.”

Last question, perhaps a silly one, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?

“Staying home with the family. We are having a family dinner on Thursday and then flying out on Friday for Utah.”

Ryan, thanks for your time today and good luck with your visits to Duke and Utah.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Ryan Stevens