Interview: 2018 Texas SS Prudy Calderon Updates Longhorns Camp and Seventh Offer

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

College football programs across the country are starting to learn what fans of San Marcos High School football have known for a couple of years now – Prudy Calderon is a true playmaker on the field no matter where he lines up. College scouts are about to learn just how valuable Calderon is to his Rattlers squad when he lines up at quarterback during his senior year with some part-time duties at safety.

Calderon had a big sophomore season stuffing 66 plays with five passes knocked away from his safety position. His play at safety in 2015 led to second team All-District honors. In addition to being a leader on defense, he was instant offense in other phases of the game pulling in four passes for 81 yards with a score, returning five punts for 51 yards, and averaged 40 yards per kick return scampering for 361 more all-purpose yards off nine kicks brought back.

His junior season was a continuation of the same but even better ending with 92 tackles, three tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, and four picks. Calderon was once again spectacular on offense and on special teams securing four passes for 92 yards with a score and made another trip into the end zone off just three rushing attempts. His speed and agility was further displayed on returns taking 13 kicks back for 432 yards with a long of 93 and acquired 177 punt return yards off 11 attempts with a long of 42.

The Lone Star State is massive and filled with next level talent; so it took a while but over the spring college scouts finally started to find Calderon. The 6-0, 192 pound, rising star went from little recruiting attention sailing to seven offers at last count. Yale, Columbia, Army, Jacksonville, Holy Cross, San Diego, and Texas State all want him on their respective rosters next season with teams like SMU, Houston, Kansas State, and Texas, among others, continuing their evaluations.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Calderon after competing at a Texas Longhorns camp where he posted a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash and days after receiving his latest offer from Texas State getting his latest updates.

Interview

Prudy, last time we spoke you were in process of making the move to quarterback for San Marcos. How is that change in positions coming along?

“It is coming along pretty good. We started spring ball back in April. That is when I really changed positions to quarterback. Throwing to my receivers has been fun. Right now, we are doing team workouts and playing in 7v7 tournaments. We have played four 7v7 games and have won them all by a good margin. I’m clicking with my receivers and the defense is doing well. We are becoming one unit before the season starts.”

How is 7v7 helping you sharpen your skills in the pocket?

“I played quarterback in eighth grade and my freshman year so it is not too foreign to me. I am getting back into the groove and trying to get my mechanics down. I’ve come a long way. 7v7 is really helping me get better all around. Those reps will help once the season comes around.”

Did any schools come by this off-season to watch you guys practice?

“Houston came down. In May, Holy Cross, Army, Columbia, Yale, Penn, Brown, Colorado, and Colorado State all came by. I’m leaving out some. I cannot remember them all. Every other day schools were coming out to watch us practice.”

Which camps did you attend this spring?

“The U.S. Army Combine and the Nike Opening in Houston.”

Did you attend the camps as a safety?

“Yes, sir. Every camp I go to is as a safety.”

Are you going to play both ways this year?

“My main focus is at quarterback. That is where the team needs me at most. If ever I am needed in a game at safety, I will not hesitate to go do it. I feel most comfortable at safety but my team needs me at quarterback. I’m guessing I will play some at safety this year but I’m not sure how much.”

Which college camps have you attended so far?

“I just attended a Texas camp. I went to a Trinity camp to start the summer. Rice was there as well as Dartmouth, Yale, and a bunch of other Ivy League schools. I also attended a Texas State camp and on Friday I’m going to a Rice camp. I plan on going up to Yale for a camp and then to Sam Houston State to finish my summer off.”

How did the Texas Longhorns camp go?

“It went real well. That was one of my better camps. I tested best there. I ran a 4.4 40-yard dash and ran my shuttle in 4-flat. I did really well in the one-on-ones too.”

Did you get any feedback from the coaches at the Texas camp?

“Their safeties coach, Coach (Craig) Naivar helped me a lot during the camp. We talked a lot about technique. The cornerbacks coach, Coach (Jason) Washington is our area recruiter. We talked about recruiting while I was there. Coach Washington likes my size and what he saw of me at their camp. His feedback really helped motivate me going forward.”

How did the Ivy League satellite camp go for you?

“That was a really good camp too. I’ve been talking to a lot of the schools that were there like Dartmouth, Harvard, Yale, and Columbia. I’ve had good talks with Rice. It was a really good camp. I was able to showcase my talents to a lot of different schools there. I was able to show what I can do out on the field.”

How many offers do you have now?

“I have seven offers.”

Which offer was your most recent?

“Texas State.”

How did they offer you?

“After the Texas State camp was finished, Coach (Randall) McCray (defensive coordinator) and their head coach, Coach (Everett) Whithers, sat down with me. They said I checked off a lot of their boxes. They offered me a full scholarship on the spot as a corner.”

Fantastic. Now that your junior school year is completed, what is your cumulative GPA?

“3.59.”

What is your best score on the ACT or SAT?

“I got a 24 on the ACT, but I know I can do better. I just took the ACT again. I’m waiting on my new score.”

Prudy, thanks for your time today and congratulations on all the recruiting success and good luck with your upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Calderon family; Prudy Calderon with Craig Naivar, and Jason Washington.