Interview: 2018 California QB Jack Alexander Growing with Starting Opportunity

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The jitters, fear, anxiety… all emotions every football player has experienced at one time or another for one reason or another. When Class of 2018 quarterback Jack Alexander takes the field on any given Friday night for Redondo Union High School, fearing the competition is the furthest from his mind.

Alexander was broken into life on the gridiron in as tough a way as any other quarterback in the nation, taking on St. John Bosco defenders. Alexander spent his sophomore season on the Braves squad as part of a 13-1 team that finished third overall in the state of California end of season rankings and No. 4 in the nation per MaxPreps. Day in and day out he was throwing against some of the top talent in the nation two-three years his elder. That same Bosco squad is once again one of the highest ranked teams in the country earning a No. 4 spot on MaxPreps poll.

All of that time in the film room, in meetings, and on the field preparing for his moment under center has come to fruition. After an off-season transfer, Alexander is a first-year starter taking his lumps but growing by leaps and bounds along the way. The 6-2.5, 185 pound, pro-style quarterback has completed 83 passes for somewhere between 1,000- to 1,100 yards with 10 touchdowns tossed with two more scores added on the ground. The Red Hawks are a young squad filled with a lot of junior talent that includes running back Jermar Jefferson (136/919/12) and receiver Julian Woodard, Alexander’s top target with 38 receptions for 462 yards with six scores.

Alexander has his Red Hawks squad 4-4 with two games left to play, one against a talent Inglewood roster and the other, a rivalry game against Mira Costa. Two wins and they are in the playoffs with a chance to showcase their collective growing talents against some of the best players California has to offer.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Alexander before the Red Hawks showdown with Inglewood to get his thoughts on his play on the field and an update on the colleges showing interest.

Interview

Jack, the final two games of the season are against Inglewood and Mira Costa. If you win those two games are you guys in the playoffs?

“Yes. Hopefully we’ll have a high enough seed for home field in Round 1 of the playoffs.”

What kind of challenges does both team present for you guys?

“Inglewood has athletes, we have to be disciplined. Mira Costa is a rivalry game. They have a lineman to watch out for. They had a couple of key guys that transferred out. We know their strengths and weaknesses. We’ll be ready.”

You picked up a big 22-7 win over Peninsula on Friday night, how did the game go for you?

“It was a good team win.”

What have been some of the strengths of your game this year?

“Extending plays more than I thought I could. We’ve had a young o-line that has improved each game. I’m better picking out the weak link in the defense and recognizing blitzes. I’m a lot better at checking out of bad plays. I have gotten a lot better on the mental side of the game.”

What have you improved upon with your technique, form, and overall physical abilities?

“My footwork can get lazy. The last two weeks I’ve really worked on getting my drops down quicker and my eyes down field faster. My release has gotten better since last year. My shoulder has gotten more flexible with a better release.”

What has helped with some of the renewed interest in technique during the season?

“Ken O’Brien (Jets 1983-92, Eagles 1993) came to a couple of our practices to work with me.”

What was the focus Ken O’Brien had with you during practice?

“He focused on my release. My lower half, turning my hips and driving the ball, and finishing throws. That is something Tom Brady (Patriots) and Aaron Rodgers (Packers) do well. People that don’t play quarterback don’t know that a lot of throwing the ball is core and leg strength.”

What are some of the areas of your game you want to improve upon?

“I want to improve upon my pocket presence and deep ball accuracy. I’m working on putting the ball right in the receivers lap.”

How do you prepare each week for a game?

“My routine starts on Monday in the film room and weight room. I do my lifts early in the week. I watch film every night after practice. Thursday night we have a team meal. Then I make sure everyone is right with the game plan and how we are attacking the defense that week. I watch a lot of film. I look for who to watch out for and see who we want to attack. Thursday night is the biggest night for film after home work. The next day I talk with the receivers to share with them what I picked up.”

Which team this year has been the toughest for you? What did you learn from that game that has helped you going forward?

“Mission Viejo and Vista Murrieta were the two toughest games. Murrieta was hitting me pretty hard. Mission Viejo was the most talented team we’ve played. That humbled us. They had better athletes than us. We learned that we had to be a team and play together to beat other teams with more overall talent. We came back the next week in league and won by 40 (vs. Morningside, won 59-14).”

Which schools are showing interest in you?

“Some new schools that are showing interest – Central Florida, Yale, and Washington. I have some other Ivy League schools showing interest too. Washington State, San Jose State, and Arizona are still showing interest in me from over the spring and summer.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits this season?

“I did. I went to USC’s game against Colorado (Oct. 8) with Julian (Woodard) and Jermar (Jefferson). We had a great time.”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“Great. I still have a 4.0.”

Have you set a time to take the ACT or SAT yet?

“I’m taking the SAT in December. I just took the PSAT and did really well on it. With my grade point average, and the SAT score I am expecting to get, I am hopeful that some offers will start coming in this spring based on some of my conversations with different coaches.”

Jack, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Daily Breeze/Robert Casillas; No. 7 Jack Alexander drops back to pass.

Photo credit: Easy Reader/Ray Vidal; No. 7 Jack Alexander avoids a sack.

Photo credit: Alexander family; Jack Alexander at USC.