Interest: College Programs Across the Country are Finding 2022 California LB Eoghan Kerry
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
During the 2019 season, Eoghan (pronounced Owen) Kerry laid down the foundation of great things that are to come, and that has caught the attention of college football programs across the nation. The 6-3, 200-pound, linebacker punished opposing Division I California ball carriers putting an end to 70 plays with nine sacks earning All-Area honors for Centennial High School. As college programs search the nation for impact players to help post wins on the board, Nevada and Bethel have offered the Bakersfield area product with teams piling on interest left and right.
In a catch-up interview with RNG, Kerry updates his workouts and rapidly growing recruiting process.
*Click link for Feb. 3, 2020, RNG video interview with Eoghan Kerry
Interview
Eoghan, since we caught up last in early February, how have your offseason workouts gone?
“They have gone really well. I am a lot stronger. My bench has gone from 220 to 265 bench, and increase of 45 pounds, and my squat has jumped from 365 pounds to 420 squat. I am seeing a big jump in my strength, and I am getting faster every day too.”
With your workouts on defense, what has been your focus?
“The fundamentals. I am sticking to the basic working on reading my keys, coverages, and getting more in-depth with everything. I am working on my technique and explosiveness; I am looking really good.”
As a running back, what are you working on?
“We just started outdoor practices; I’ve been focused on defense. I will be more of a fullback, blocking and catching. There has not been much progress with that yet other than lifting.”
We last caught up at a 7v7 tournament, how has the 7v7 season gone?
“It has gone really well. Our team has not played the best, but I have been improving. I think I can hang with the best of them.”
Before everything started shutting down, did you get to attend any camps?
“I went to Rivals combine.”
How well did you do with the testing at the Rivals combine?
“I did pretty well. I ran a 4.3 laser shuttle and a 4.8 laser-timed 40-yard dash. They said that is a 4.6 hand-time. I posted a 117-broad jump; that’s not my best but still pretty good. I posted a 33-inch vertical; that’s also not my highest, my best is 34-inches, but I did pretty well overall.”
This summer when everything gets back on track, are there any camps you are planning on attending?
“Yes. I am planning this summer on going to camps at USC, UCLA, and I have received an invite from Notre Dame for their camp.”
Your recruiting has taken off, which schools are showing interest?
“A lot; the last couple of weeks have been crazy. I went to Arizona State – I’ve been talking to their linebacker coach. USC is showing interest. I was supposed to go to USC this weekend, but that was cancelled due to the virus. Notre Dame’s coaches have been showing interest, San Jose state, and the University of Washington coaches. Some teams on Twitter are showing interest; the Tennessee Volunteers, Northwestern, their director of recruiting, Purdue sent an email from their head coach for a camp, and I am receiving emails from Dartmouth, Princeton, and Brown.”
Circling back. How did the ASU visit go?
“It went really well. It was awesome. I saw them practice, checked out their facilities, and had great chemistry with their coaches. Their linebackers are versatile. It was great to see a Pac-12 program and feel like I can compete there.”
The USC visit was cancelled, were there any other trips planned over this duration that have been pushed back?
“All the cancelled trips, I had a ton scheduled: USC, Cal, Fresno State, and San Jose State.”
Beyond the schools just mentioned, when the campuses open back up are you planning on visiting any other schools?
“Maybe Utah; they are coming out for our spring ball, and Oregon in the fall. That will be cool.”
Eoghan, it was great catching up with you today. I appreciate your time and wish you success with your workouts until we talk again.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Kerry family; Eoghan Kerry at Arizona State