Interview: 2018 SS Prudy Calderon Updates Hot Start to Season and Texas Longhorns Visit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The Lone Star State is a vast stretch of land covering some 268,500-plus square miles. Within the state of Texas is a wealth of athletic talent, especially on the high school gridiron. Each year some of the top players in the nation fill collegiate rosters making their mark at the next level. One of the players quickly making his name known shedding the “under the radar” label is Prudy Calderon.

Calderon had a great sophomore season with San Marcos (6A) in 2015 coming up with 66 stops, 23 solo, while defending five passes from his safety position. His speed was utilized on offense at receiver seeing him secure four passes for 81 yards with a score. He showcased his play making abilities on special teams blocking a kick, returning five punts for 51 yards, and averaging 40 yards per kick return off nine attempts covering 361 yards with a touchdown.

The pace for the standout Rattler has not slowed down during his junior campaign. He already has a 58-yard touchdown reception and a 92-yard kick return for a touchdown on his reel. The spot where Calderon may line up at the next level is at safety and he is proving his worth to recruiters again in 2016. In three games, the 6-0, 188 pound talent has 15 tackles, eight solo, a tackle for a loss, and has three interceptions.

Calderon has previous interest from SMU, Houston, and Kansas State but has added the Texas Longhorns after showing out at two camps over the summer.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Calderon to see how his off-season work has translated into his junior season performance and got inside details on his visit to Texas over the weekend.

Interview

Prudy, which college camps did you go to this summer?

“I went to two Texas Longhorn camps, Rice, and Texas State.”

At which camp did you perform your best?

“I feel like the Under the Lights camp at Texas, with all the great talent that was there was my best. It pushed me to perform better. I’d say that camp was my best.”

What did you do there to standout?

“That camp had great talent. Seeing all of those guys, seeing the commits and guys with a lot of big offers, it pushed me. In the drills and during the one-on-ones, I performed my best. The one-on-ones went well.  I defended the deep ball. I had a 5-and-out caught on me but other than that I did really well.”

Which position did you attend the camp playing?

“Safety.”

Did you run a 40-yard dash at any of the camps?

“I tied my best at the first UT camp with a 4.56.”

Nice. With all the camps you attended, what did you learn that you have taken into this season with you?

“They did tell me a lot of things my coach tells me. I have a great coach, he is someone I look up to. One of the things I took in, you never really want to stop your feet when you are a defensive back. That makes you lose a step. Just keep your feet moving and keep your head on a swivel.”

How has your season gone on the field so far?

“I feel like I have played pretty well so far. I think I have somewhere around 17 tackles, three interceptions. I took a get kick return to the house from 92-yards out. I’m also playing receiver. I took a 58-yards pass to the house.”

Players are always working on their game trying to fine tune their craft. What are you working on with your game this season?

“In the off-season, I wanted to be a ball hawk. If the ball is in the air that ball is mine. I want to go get it. Last year I did not have any interceptions. This year I have three. I’m still working on my ball hawking skills, going to get the ball, and putting my nose in plays getting a big hit on a running back or wide receiver.”

I’m sure every game on the schedule is an exciting one for you, but is there at least one game that stands out a little more than the rest coming up?

“We start district play in Week 6 (Oct. 7 vs. Akins). The last game of the season we play a team out of Austin, Bowie. That is a big game. We knew that would be a big game for us and it is at home. They are a real good team. I know we will compete well against them.”

Let’s talk a little recruiting. Which schools are showing interest in you right now?

“I’m getting some love from SMU. I went to a game at UT on Saturday. I had a prospect access pass for the game against UTEP. That was real neat. That was cool. I got to see a lot of great talent that was invited there.”

Give me a rundown on your Texas visit?

“We went up there, a buddy of mine from the team and I went. We got our prospect access pass. They had food set up in their trophy room. That was really cool seeing pictures of guys like Earl Campbell and all those great players that went there. We walked down on the field. I did get to see the UT players on their way to the field. That was cool. While on the field I got to see a bunch of great guys, other recruits, on the field. Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors) was there. We had great seats along the 50-yard line. We were hooked up.”

Sounds like it. Prudy, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of the season.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Texas Report; Prudy Calderon returns a kick.

Photo credit:  Texas Report; Prudy Calderon picks off a pass.

Photo credit: Calderon family; Prudy Calderon at Texas game vs. UTEP.