Interview: 2018 California WR Isac Velasquez Talks San Jose State Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The primary goal of any college coach is to acquire as much top talent as possible to fit the system and overall schemes. For a new head coach like Brent Brennan, landing talented players with Division-I abilities through the walk-on program only bolsters the goal improving the team up and down the roster. With Coach Brennan entering his second year at San Jose State, the message delivered to recruits about the Spartan program going forward was received loud and clear by 2018 slot receiver Isac Velasquez. Velasquez looked past eight scholarship offers seeing a better opportunity with the Spartans signing up on June 10.
The steal for the Spartans in Velasquez is an all-purpose athlete seemingly capable of just about anything. After a junior season with 998 receiving yards off 50 receptions and 11 scores along with stellar play on defense, the 5-9, 185-pound, talent tore it up in all three phases of the game in 2017. The Diamond Ranch High School standout hauled in 14 passes for 265 yards with two touchdowns and carried the rock 33 times for 385 yards with six more trips into the end zone. On defense, he racked up 42 stops with two tackles for a loss and two picks. Special teams was just another area to showcase is overall speed and athleticism taking 13 kicks back for 310 yards and 12 punts for 282 more yards going the other way.
To find out how the Spartans lured him away from scholarship opportunities to San Jose, I sat down with Velasquez for an exclusive one-on-one interview getting the inside details.
Interview
Isac, how did the relationship between you and San Jose State come together?
“It started to come together last summer after a camp. Coach (Kevin) Cummings (receivers) and I built a good relationship. During one of my visits, Coach (Brent) Brennan (head coach) talked about changing the culture up there and the direction of the program, plus, San Jose State is a top business school. I wanted to be a part of something special and get a great education.”
When did the interest between you and the coaching staff become serious?
“About four months ago. Of all the schools that were talking to me, with football, the lifestyle, and benefits of the degree, San Jose State was the top school. With a San Jose State education, after my football career is over I will have opportunities in life.”
When did you visit the campus?
“I went up there for three or four times for their spring practices.”
When did you start getting that feeling that the Spartans were the team for you?
“When I went to one of their spring practices, it was high energy and everyone was giving it 100 percent. Coach Brennan started talking about red-lining it, like with a car engine. He brings that intensity and drive to practices. He pushes the players’ limits so they get better and better. Seeing what coach Cummings was doing with the receivers, and what he was teaching the players, impressed me. The player-coach relationship was impressive. I felt I could call San Jose State home.”
How will they utilize your skills within the offense?
“The will utilize my speed on offense within their spread attack. They will put me one-on-one against linebackers in the slot. They will try to get me in open space so I can make plays.”
What is the depth-chart at slot on the San Jose State roster? Any chance of early playing time if all goes well?
“It is possible to see time early. There is a senior and a slot from Charter Oaks on the roster. I will be competing against those guys to hopefully earn a spot.”
What have they asked you to work on this offseason?
“They have asked me to keep my speed, gain some pounds, and condition for the spread offense. Coach Cummings told me to keep working on my hands and to keep working on gaining separation on routes.”
How are the offseason workouts going?
“They are going pretty good. I work out almost every day expect on Sunday. I do an hour of cardio and 1.5 hours of weight lifting every day.”
When do you report?
“I report on July 30.”
Last question. What is it like knowing that your dream to play college football is happening?
“Man. It means the most to me. Of my family, I am the only one to play college sports. I am the first out of my family to play college football. That is something special. I want to open opportunities for my family going forward with what I am doing at San Jose State.”
Isac, thanks for your time today and good luck at fall camp with the Spartans.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Velasquez family; Isac Velasquez with Coach Brennan