Interview: 2019 Arkansas QB Ren Hefley Updates Season and Growing Recruiting Prospects
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
As Ren Hefley has progressed in the pocket over the last three years, so has Bryant High School. The Hornets were 9-4 in 2016, 10-2 a year ago, and are off to a 4-1 start with the lone loss coming against another Arkansas powerhouse Fayetteville. The 35-36 loss to Fayetteville is sending a warning signal to all 7A Arkansas high school teams throughout the regular season and on into the playoffs. This team is for real and if you don’t watch out, Hefley will pick you apart.
Season stats for the Hornets are not made public, but what can be gleamed from the pieces of information out there, the team is clicking on offense. Scoring an average of 31 points per game, the squad has taken down crosstown rival Benton (28-14), Bentonville West (17-10), Northside (16-7), and Catholic High (59-28). Other marquee games remain on the regular season schedule with Southside and Conway, but what is sure to be a Battle Royale that will further help recruiting purposes is the Oct. 26 showdown against defending state champs North Little Rock.
Ahead of the game against the Charging Wildcats, Hefley has two offers extended from Tennessee-Martin and Arkansas Tech with other big interest coming in from Stanford, Michigan, Dartmouth, Princeton, and Columbia. The Ivy League interest is worthy, Hefley is working just as hard if not harder in the classroom with a 4.1 GPA and a 30 scored on the ACT.
In a mid-season RNG stylized catch-up interview, I got a few minutes in with the rising senior to see where he is making the biggest strides with his game this season and to learn more about his recruiting.
*Click link for April 27, 2018, RNG interview with Ren Hefley
Interview
Ren, I know the 2018 season has kind of been an odd year with off the field stuff influencing on the field play, but that aside, how is the year going for the Hornets?
“I think it is going well. We lost a game which is not usual for us, but we are moving along. We have a lot of good talent and athletes on our team this year. Plus, it is fun being a senior.”
You guys are as good as any team out there taking Fayetteville down to the wire in a 36-35 loss. What separates the Hornets from other teams in Arkansas?
“I’d say we have a lot of versatility on our roster. I think we have a good quarterback, good running back, and good guys all over the field. We have players all over that are important to our success. We are not just a man or just a zone team on defense, we can do it all. We are not just a passing or running team, we can attack you in different ways.”
You guys just closed another big win taking down Catholic High 59-28, how did the game for you personally?
“It went well. I missed a couple of passes early but we got moving later on and started clicking. I took what they were giving me. They played a cover 4 against us. We did not get to hit big shots downfield, we went underneath to make plays. I got three runs in against them.”
Where are you seeing the biggest improvements in your game this year over last season?
“I’m running the ball a lot better. With my passing, I am hitting the underneath balls and making the easy throws not just hitting the deep shots.”
At this point in your career, what are the overall strengths of your game?
“My biggest strength is being competitive and figuring out how to win. My speed has improved, I am running the ball really well. I am also getting the ball out quickly and controlling the offense.”
The Hornets get Central next, what kind of challenge will their defense bring to the field for you and the offense?
“They are usually very athletic and talented across the defense. I think that will pose the same challenge on Friday that they every year, a bunch of athletes you have to watch out for. I have to get the ball out quick and keep my eyes downfield against them.”
Going into recruiting, I know you have the two offers from Arkansas Tech and Tennessee-Martin, which schools are showing interest?
“I am receiving Ivy League interest from Dartmouth, Princeton, and Columbia. I am also receiving interest from Michigan, UCA (Central Arkansas), Stanford requested my transcripts, and Arizona State.”
Do you have any planned visits upcoming?
“Yes. I am planning on visiting Michigan and UT-Martin on unofficial visits. The dates are up in the air.”
With recruiting, is there an area of your game you feel may get overlooked by college coaches?
“My running ability. That is what coaches wanted to see from me last year. We had a very good o-line, I did not have to do too much last year. Not that our o-line is worse this year, but I have worked on it more and I am better at it. I can see the opportunities to run and I am better at getting out of the pocket.”
Ren, always great catching up with you. Thanks for your time today and good luck on Friday against Central.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Hefley family; Coach Harbaugh and Ren Hefley