2019 California SS/RB Reggie Strong Covers Upcoming Texas Visit Circuit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Sometimes in football, the toughest thing for a high school coach is finding the right fit for his player that also coincides with team needs. Every coach could only hope to have a do-everything high-caliber athlete like Reginald “Reggie” Strong Jr. on their team. When the 2017 season kicked off, Strong was living up to his name at safety for Orange Lutheran, but mid-season made the switch to running back to help the team out, excelling in the process. Now college coaches have the same conundrum, where to place a next level talent like Strong on their Class of 2019 recruiting roster.

In quick fashion, Strong took to the field at running back using his raw skills to take over the starting tailback position in the Lancers’ pass-heavy offense. Before the season ended with a two-game run into California’s Division-I playoffs, the 6-1, 188-pound, talent had rushed for a team-high 645 yards off 137 totes with six trips into the end zone. He also contributed in the passing attack hauling in 21 passes for 241 yards with another score going up on the board.

Standing out in California’s toughest high school football conference, the Trinity League, has its advantages. College coaches routinely scout the Trinity League for National Signing Day signatures with Strong drawing recruiting attention from across the country. In a Recruiting News Guru catch-up interview, I sat down with Strong getting the latest news on his recruiting process with a long list of upcoming visits planned.

*Click link for Feb. 23, 2018, RNG video interview with Reggie Strong

Interview

Reggie, how are your offseason workouts coming along?

“My offseason workouts are really coming together – they are coming together well. My play recognition at safety has greatly improved.”

You started off playing safety last season but then moved to running back. Are you playing both positions during your senior year or moving back to safety?

“I will play both this season but I am focused at safety this offseason. I feel safety is where I will be recruited to play at the next level.”

Where are you seeing the most improvement with your overall skillset with your offseason workouts?

“The most improvement is in my back pedal. I am improving at reading the quarterback’s eyes, knowing where the receivers are, reading my keys, and breaking on the ball to make the play.”

Where are you seeing the most improvement with your strength in the weight room?

“I’m doing a lot of lifts. I am really working on strengthening certain areas to get bigger and avoid injuries. Squats are the main area. I do a lot of front squats. The more weight you can do with your front squats, the more weight you can do on the back. My legs are getting stronger overall. When I run the ball this season, it will be harder to bring me down. I’m also doing a lot of curls and pullups. My arms, back, and core are getting a lot stronger.”

Are you doing any off-beat workouts to improve your strength, agility, and/or flexibility?

“I am starting a yoga classes soon. I stretch a lot. I have asked a lot of trainers about best stretches for loosening up my hips.”

How is everything going on the recruiting trail?

“I am receiving interest from Houston, Colorado, Wyoming, Fresno State, Oregon State, and Boston College.”

Which visits have you taken so far?

“I’ve been to LSU and Houston.”

How did the LSU visit go?

“It was cool. I tried on a jersey and helmet. We went onto the field and saw clips of their past teams – a highlight reel of their top players. They talked about what they are looking for at LSU, they talked about their players there now, and the guys they have put into the league (NFL).”

What about the Houston visit, how did that go?

“It went really well. I talked to some of their coaches. I got time to speak with their defensive coordinator, Coach (Mark) D’Onofrio. We tried on uniforms and took pictures. We saw the campus, weight room, and locker room. Houston was different for me. Their coaches tuned in more to me. They talked to me more about being part of the team.”

That’s great. Do you have any planned visits upcoming?

“I am going back to Houston and I am visiting UNLV. I think we are visiting all the schools in Texas when I go back – Texas, Texas A&M, SMU, and TCU.”

That’ll be fun. What has you excited about visiting Houston a second time?

“I am excited to visit there again. They invited me to come out to a two-day camp on March 30th. They want to see what I am about and how I play on defense. If it goes well, the prize should come to me.”

What has you excited about visiting UNLV?

“I am excited to visit UNLV because I think it is a really cool school, and they are not too far from home. I am visiting there during the Polynesian camp. That should be fun being at that camp and visiting UNLV.”

Do you have any other camps upcoming?

“The Polynesian camp and the Sound Mind, Sound Body Camp in Detroit. We have our spring showcase at OLU coming up as well.”

Are you eyeing any college camps for this summer?

“I will probably attend a UCLA and USC camp. A few weeks ago, I talked to USC’s cornerback coach at school, Coach (Ronnie) Bradford. He asked me about my coverages and quizzed me on my defense knowledge. He wants me at a couple of camps to see how well I move and how I attack the ball. I did well at the UCLA camp last year, I’m looking forward to competing there again this year.”

Last couple of questions for fun. Have you been watching the NCAA tournament?

(Laughs) “I watched a couple of games. They were exciting. I saw the Michigan freshman ended the game with a three. I watched a couple of other games. I like seeing the guys dunking on one another.”

Who do you have in the Final Four?

(Laughs) “I don’t really care. I just want to see a competitive tournament. I just want exciting games.”

Reggie, thanks for your time today and good luck with all of your upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Reginald “Reggie” Strong Jr. at a Passing Downs 7v7 Tournament.