Interview: 2017 California WR Justin Fisher gave Centennial a Season to Remember

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Having a secret that you want to share with the world can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the secret. In the world of high school football recruiting, a college coach may want to keep a recruiting gem on the market a secret, but for the rest of us, sharing that secret is a must. A secret on the recruiting trail being overlooked time and time again is Class of 2017 wide receiver Justin Fisher.

Stats in sports can be the ultimate guide giving insight to a player’s season, career, and/or on the field abilities in an instant. Tricky thing is, not all stats are equal, as some maybe harder to come by than others. For Fisher, Centennial High School played one of the toughest schedules in the nation this season and he still rose to the top of his class.

The Huskies posted an 11-2 season with games against Chandler (AZ), IMG Academy (FL), Liberty (NV), Norco, JSerra Catholic, Chaminade, and St. John Bosco among others. Playing in the highest classification in California, Fisher did not back down from the challenge coming out of the gates for a breakout senior season. Along the way Fisher pulled down 58 passes for 1,355 yards with 21 touchdowns. The numbers within the stats tell even more. Fisher averaged 104 receiving yards per game and 23 yards per catch. What the stats do not tell is Fisher was on the sidelines in the second half for most games after the Huskies dominated the first half of their games.

Centennial ended their year as the No. 7 ranked team in the nation for a reason. The Huskies lost by one point with just seconds left on the clock to IMG Academy (50-49) and by two points to St. John Bosco (49-47) in the third round of the CIF Playoffs, another thrilling game. Bosco is the No. 2 ranked team in the nation, IMG Academy is the No. 3 ranked team. Centennial scorched the opposition for an average of 54 points per game while their defense held teams to 26 points, a lot of second half scoring against rising underclassmen.

Fisher still managed to end his senior season ranked in the Top 20 in California in total receiving yards (No. 18) and receiving touchdowns (No. 6), just five behind Marquis Spiker (Murrieta Valley). The difference between the other top performers and Fisher, Fisher did more with less rivaling just Santa Rosa receiver Kalei Aukai (24.1) with yards per reception. The other top receivers were the main draw for their respective offenses by and large. Four other Centennial players had at least 20 receptions on the year and the Huskies had featured tailback in 2,198-yard rusher Miles Reed.

The stats were not padded either. Fisher had seven receptions for 155 yards with two touchdowns against Chandler, four receptions for 140 yards with a touchdown against crosstown rival Norco, five receptions for 122 yards with two scores against JSerra, nine receptions for 173 yards with four scores against Chaminade, and six receptions for 111 yards with two more touchdowns against St. John Bosco. There are a lot of future D-I recruits that got a lesson on the field this year because of Fisher.

Despite all of his top play against top teams across the country and within the state of California, Fisher might be the MOST overlooked player in the country. The 5-11, 170 pound, wide out is without an offer.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Fisher going over his senior year and his recruitment thus far.

Interview

Justin, your 58 receptions, 1,355 yards, and 21 touchdowns were all team-highs. What did you improve upon this year that allowed you to have a breakout season?

“My ability to make plays, getting off the ball, and accelerating out of my cuts. My communication on the field and all of the little things improved this year.”

Watching you in person and on film, it looks like your route running improved a lot. Would you agree with that?

“Majorly. I remember we had an interview before, I was working on it back then. Now they are really improved, so much better. My hands too.”

Which team was the toughest you faced this year?

“Bosco.”

How did you do against Bosco?

“I had two touchdowns, seven catches for I think 100 something yards.”

How did playing Bosco make you better?

“They had a very challenging defense. We wanted to score on every possession. We took advantage when we could. They double-teamed me throughout the game. They started off on press coverage and then the next series they played off. After playing on and off, we changed our plays and plan of attack against them.”

Looking back, are you happy with the way that you played during your senior year?

“Yes, I’m very happy with the way that I played. I feel like I could have done more but I am grateful.”

What is the best 40-yard dash time you’ve posted?

“A 4.5.”

Where did you do that?

“At school.”

Have you started your off-season workouts yet?

“A little bit.”

What are you working on this off-season?

“The same thing I have been working on all along, my speed, hands, and route running. I’m always working on my craft to get better.”

Are you playing any spring sports with Centennial?

“I was thinking about track.”

Which schools are showing interest in you right now?

“Hawaii really, San Diego State, and San Jose State. I was talking to Nebraska but not that much lately.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“I went to Nebraska, San Jose, and Arizona. I went with Miles (Reed) and Reggie (Whitfield) to Arizona.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“2.8.”

A fun question, the championship games are over and the playoffs are set in college football. What are your predictions?

“Bama (Alabama) will win against Washington and OSU (Ohio State) against Clemson. Bama and OSU again in the championship game.”

Justin, thanks for your time today and good luck with your off-season workouts.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credits: recruitingnewsguru.com; No. 9 Justin Fisher vs. IMG Academy