Interview: 2018 California CB Jaden Dedman Talks Nevada Commitment and Senior Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Jaden Dedman transformed himself into a Division I college football prospect during the 2016 season. The 5-11.5, 175 pound, recruit proved to be an all-purpose corner shutting down the run with 53 tackles, 36 solo, with two tackles for a loss and knocked away 15 hopeful passes. The Upland High School (Upland, CA) talent was receiving interest from San Diego State, Washington State, and Oregon State, among others, with offers extended from Hawaii, Montana, and San Jose State before verbally committing to Nevada on July 21. In an in-depth interview, I went one-on-one with Dedman covering his commitment to the Wolf Pack and play on the field with a look ahead to his senior season.

Interview

Jaden, congrats on your commitment to Nevada.

“Thanks.”

Before we get into that, how have your off-season workouts gone?

“My off-season workouts have been really good. At Upland, we are working hard, working for the ring. We have a lot of guys with offers, a lot of talent on our team. We’ve been lifting and practicing hard. For me, I’m lifting a lot trying to get bigger and stronger to dominate this year and perform better than last year.”

During the spring, which college coaches came by Upland to see you?

“BYU, Hawaii, Oregon State, UNLV, Boise State, Washington, Cal, and Nevada.”

What were the college coaches telling you they liked about your game?

“They like the way that I am a dog on the field and my ability to cover. I use my feet very well. I’m technical with my abilities.”

Did you attend any college camps this summer?

“The Nike Opening Regional (LA) and an Azusa Pacific camp with Oregon State in attendance.”

Which camp was your best?

“I believe my best was the Opening. I had more lockdown coverage and pass breakups at that camp.”

Did you run a 40-yard dash at a camp this summer, and, if so, what did you post?

“I did not run at the Opening. I just ran one at Upland posting a 4.46 (hand-held).”

That’s fantastic. Did you take any unofficial visits this off-season?

“Yes. I went to USC and San Diego State.”

On July 21, you committed to Nevada, what led you to commit to the Wolf Pack?

“When I first got the offer (Feb. 15), I talked to the coaches more and more to get to know them. They showed me more attention and love – they showed me a lot of interest. The coaches keep it real with me. They told me how they will play me. I think I have a good chance to play early there. I talk to all the coaches. They really wanted me and I wanted to be there because I felt comfortable with them.”

How will the coaches use you within their scheme once on campus?

“They text me every day. Their corners’ coach, Coach (Courtney) Viney, and their head coach, Coach (Jay) Norvell, send me stuff all the time. Coach Viney is like a brother to me by the way he talks to me. It is not always about football. I like that. I know I made a good choice.”

Where will they play you and/or how will they use you within their defensive scheme?

“They will play me at corner as a cover corner.”

Have you set an official visit date to Reno?

“Not yet. I want to go sometime during the season where I can get a good visit in with them.”

If you haven’t started already, are you going to help recruit players to Nevada?

“Yes, I will be helping recruit players to Nevada.”

What’s your pitch?

“I’ll tell them the coaches will love you. They will treat you like a man. You can come in and play early if you are ready. I have some teammates at Upland Nevada is looking at like Taj Davis (receiver). Taj has an offer to Nevada.”

Did you do anything to celebrate your commitment?

“Nothing really. I celebrated with my mom and dad. We were just happy, it was a blessing.”

Has Upland started fall camp yet?

“We went on break last week. We were working from the end of school. Now we have two weeks off. Now we are working out until next week.”

What has you excited about your senior season?

“This year, I feel like I will be much better than last year. Last year was my first as a defensive back. I have been training all off-season. I feel like I should do great this season.”

Have you set any goals for yourself for the upcoming year?

“I want five interceptions and 50 tackles. On the offensive side, last year I did not really play receiver. This year I should be playing more offense. I want five receiving touchdowns or better and a good amount of receiving yards”

Is there a team you are perhaps a little more excited to play above the others?

“Yes. Rancho Cucamonga Cougars.”

Rancho will be talented again this year. Should be a great game. Why is that game exciting for you?

“I’m excited to play them again because we lost to them last year. I played with Ground Zero (7v7 all-star team) this year, there were a lot of Rancho kids on that team. We know each other well. We’ve been talking this off-season to one another about the game. We had beaten them five years in a row until last year. We have a better and stronger team than last year. It should be a really fun game.”

Jaden, thanks for your time today and, again, congratulations on your commitment to Nevada.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Jaden Dedman at a 7v7 tournament (2017).

Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 6 Jaden Dedman pre-game (2016).