Interview: Centennial 2018 OLB Camron Pitcher Updates Three-Campus California Weekend Visit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Much of the college football recruiting process is put upon the shoulders of collegiate coaches to forge for, find, and develop a personal connection with various players to fill a given class. Some high school players let the process come to them, for better or for worse, waiting for college coaches to find them first while others take the proverbial bull by the horns hitting the trail to forge their own path forward working on recruiting relationships on their own terms. One of the go-getters both on the field and on the recruiting trail working to secure his path to the next level is Class of 2018 linebacker Camron Pitcher Jr.

Pitcher is evolving into the quintessential do-everything outside linebacker. Game tape shows his productivity on the field securing an estimated 105 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble for Centennial High School during the 2016 season. The Corona (CA) area talent has the size, speed, and strength college coaches want to see for his position measuring in at 6-0, 220 pounds, with a 4.6 time in the 40-yard dash while power cleaning 265, benching 255, and squatting 420.

Thus far, two schools have offered Pitcher, Columbia and Cornell, but as the spring temperatures heat up so does his recruiting interest. The southern California native has interest from San Diego State, Stanford, UC Davis, Sacramento State, UNLV, and UCLA, to name a few. Some of the other schools showing interest, Fresno State, San Jose State, and Cal, took turns hosting Pitcher and some of his 7v7 teammates from Winner Circle over the weekend.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Pitcher covering his visits while getting an update on his recruiting process over the coming weeks.

Interview

Camron, which schools did you visit this weekend?

“Fresno State, Cal, and San Jose State.”

Who went with you on the trip?

“Some of the Winner Circle guys. Guys from Centennial, Norco (High School), and an Upland (High School) running back.”

Which school did you visit first?

“We went to Fresno State first.”

What all did you do at Fresno State?

“We got there for their 8:00 practice on Friday. We watched how their practice went. We saw their environment and their practice style.”

What was your overall impression of everything at Fresno State from the facilities to the practice?

“It was really good. I saw myself out there and playing with them.”

Did the staff get to talk to you about your recruiting process?

“No. We got to shake a few hands with coaches, saw the weight room, and saw some of the facilities. We weighed in and that was about it.”

What did you weigh in at for the Fresno coaches?

“220.”

Where did you guys go next?

“We went to Cal for their 3:00 practice, before their spring game.”

What all did you do there?

“We got to see more of their walk through before a big game. What they were doing was more install stuff.”

Did you get to tour the campus or facilities?

“We got the tour of the weight room, facilities, their offices, and their lounge.”

What was your overall impression of Cal?

“I loved Berkeley.”

Did you get to talk to coaches during your visit?

“We talked to their D-coordinator, Coach (Tim) DeRuyter. He said he was glad I came out to visit. He let me know on May 11 he will be at our school for the Spring Showcase.”

Did you guys stay to watch the spring game on Saturday?

“Yes.”

What did you think of the game?

“It was good. Really good. I really, truly believe, I can fit in with their system. I am confident that I could be recruited up there and help them win games.”

What did you guys do next?

“After the spring game we went to San Jose State really quick and toured their facilities. We saw their practice field, stadium, and weight room.”

Did you get to talk to the coaches at San Jose State?

“Yes. Their linebacker coach, Coach (Bojay) Filimoeatu was leading the tour. The recruiting coordinator for my area was also there. It was really good to have them there on the tour.”

Did they speak to you about your recruitment?

“They were impressed on how much bigger I have gotten from my junior year film. Even though they are only giving out two offers for my class, I think I could be one of their two offers.”

Very nice. Did you make any plans with the schools visited to return for another visit this spring or summer?

“I am definitely going to Cal’s camp on June 16. With Fresno State and San Jose State, I’m looking into San Jose State’s camp. I want to make it if possible. They may be out in our area at a satellite camp this summer. I may see them there.”

Do you have visits set up with any other schools?

“I’m definitely going to UC Davis on Friday. The coaching staff wants me up there early. They will be out of town on Saturday. I’m trying to work out a visit with Sac State.”

What other schools are showing interest in you now?

“I’m receiving interest from Montana State, Cal-Poly, and Illinois. Illinois defensive coordinator Hardy Nickerson came by practice on Tuesday. He liked how I looked out there. We’ve been in contact.”

Which other teams are coming back to see you this spring?

“Arizona was at practice the other day. Coach Logan (Centennial head coach) said we will have 70 colleges at our spring showcase (May 11).”

Nice. Camron, thanks for your time today and congratulations on successful visits to Fresno State, Cal, and San Jose State. Good luck next week at Sac State and UC Davis.

“Thank you.”

Click the link for a previous Camron Pitcher Jr. RNG interview.

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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Camron Pitcher at the LA Nike Opening Regional.