Interview: 2019 California 4-Star RB Sean Dollars Readies for Big Cougars Workload

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The 2016 season was a blur on the field for fans of Rancho Cucamonga High School. The Cougars arguably had one of the best skillset crews in the nation on both sides of the ball led by four-star 2017 running back Jaylon Redd. Redd is off to apply his trade with the Oregon Ducks, but returning to carry the torch for Rancho Cucamonga out of the backfield is Justyn Alexander and Sean Dollars.

For any football team at any level, replacing a 1,693-yard rusher with 25 scores is a challenge. But, if there is a team out there locked and loaded it is Rancho Cucamonga. Class of 2018 talent Justyn Alexander picked up 34 carries covering 150 yards with four scores last season while Sean Dollars (5-10, 190) was second on the roster with 493 yards off 44 totes with two scores. Dollars 11.2 yards per carry average led the team giving promise to a junior season that should be filled with even more explosive runs discouraging California Division-I teams.

The Cougars enter the season with high expectations upon their shoulders. MaxPreps ranks the team No. 16 in-state thanks in large part to the two-headed monster coming out of the backfield and returning starting quarterback Nick Acosta. Acosta threw for 2,288 yards with 27 scores last season hitting Redd 22 times for 176 yards with three scores. There should be no drop off in production in 2017. Alexander snared three passes for 51 yards with one score, an incredible 17 yard per catch average, while Dollars blew the doors off the stat sheet averaging 49 yards per catch securing four passes for 197 yards with two more touchdowns posted on the board.

The Cougars will be challenged early and often this season opening with Chaparral before back-to-back road games against ranked squads in Norco and Bishop Amat. October games against Upland and Los Osos should be action packed showdowns as well.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Dollars covering the four-star’s summer workouts, recruiting process to date, and got inside access to the Cougars’ fall camp.

Interview

Sean, how did you spend your summer?

“I spent my summer working on my game. I focused on my top end speed, my drive, and my explosiveness. I did a lot of drills working on my cuts too. I’m looking to make sharper and quicker cuts this season.”

What exercises or drills did you do to work on your speed and agility?

“Cones. Cones are everything in my workouts. I did a lot of sled drills, four-point cone drills, and quick reaction drills with the ball. With my cuts, I do my running back plays and place cones in spots for the defender and then make a quick cut outside for practice.”

With all the extra work put in on the practice field and in the weight room, what areas of your game have improved over last season?

“One of the big things is how I carry the ball. This year I am focused on securing the ball and not swinging it. My pass pro improved. I have worked a lot on protecting my quarterback. The quickest way to get on the field is to block.”

Did you attend any college camps this summer?

“Yes, sir. I attended a lot of camps. I attended APU (Azusa Pacific) camps twice with TCU and Utah and Fresno State there. I also went to a Washington, Oregon, and USC camp.”

You did attend a lot of camps. Of them all, which was your best camp performance?

“I think I performed really well at Oregon. That was probably my best one.”

Led to an offer, tough to argue that. What did you do well at that camp?

“(Laughs) My routes, they were on that day. I ran a lot of reps at Oregon’s camp. My focus was being coachable for the staff. I built a great relationship with the coaching staff during my time there in Oregon. I think that helped me standout.”

Did any coaches talk to you during or after the APU satellite camps?

“Utah did at the APU camp. Coach (Kiel) McDonald (running backs) was giving me a lot of coaching points. We developed a great relationship during the camp. He taught me a lot at the camp.”

Which schools are showing interest but have not offered you yet?

“USC, Notre Dame, San Diego State, and Cal.”

You have several offers now, which schools have offered you?

“Oregon, Washington, Nebraska, Utah, Colorado, UCLA, TCU, and Arizona State.”

Impressive. Did you take any unofficial visits this summer?

“I went to Oregon and Washington.”

In an overview, how did the visits go for you?

“Oregon went really well. Their facilities are great and they have a great staff. Washington’s staff was great and very welcoming too. There was a lot of fun things to do up at Washington.”

Any planned visits for the fall?

“I am thinking about visiting Utah. My family and I are talking about that. The visit is not 100 percent set yet.”

Let’s change focus to the 2017 season. How have fall practices gone for the Cougars?

“Practices are going well. We had a lot of rebuilding to do this spring and summer. Throughout the summer, we worked hard to find out where everyone needs to be. Our O-line has been doing well. I’m ready to see them in action on Friday (Chaparral).”

You guys had such a great season last year going 12-1, how will the team be somewhat similar to last year and how will the 2017 squad be different than the 2016 version?

“It will definitely be different, we lost a lot of senior starters. It will be similar that we have the same mindset as last year. We have the same mindset to have a great regular season again and to do better in the playoffs. We are all on the same page this year, just like last year.”

How are the coaches using your skills on offense this year?

“Mostly at running back, but some in the slot. They have me running a lot of screens, counters, pitches, and plays straight up the middle. I can do it all. I can ram it down the middle or get to the outside with my speed.”

Are you playing any defense or special teams this year?

“Yes, sir. I’ll be back on kick and punt return but I’m not playing any defense this year.”

What kind of challenge does Chaparral bring for you and the Cougars in Week 1?

“They are good at blitzing. I’ve been working on pass protection and looking for the switch blitzes at the line. I’ve been working on finding my man and picking him up. Their O-line is good. Our defense is getting ready for that.”

There are a couple of games on the Cougars’ schedule I’m excited about, which games are you hyped to play this year above and beyond the rest?

“Norco and Upland are two games I am hyped to play. We are trying to keep that winning streak against Upland going. We got that back last year. Norco – they are always a challenge. They play with discipline and have big time players and play makers on their team. Mater Dei is not on our schedule but I want to see them again this year.”

I have Norco and Upland circled as well as Bishop Amat.

“We did well against Amat in a scrimmage last year.”

Which team have you scrimmaged during camp this year?

“This past weekend we scrimmaged against Vista Murrieta and Centennial (Corona).”

How did the scrimmage go for you guys?

“Against Vista, we beat them. Centennial was tougher. Their line was stacked. It went pretty well but they did get us at the end.”

Any fun pregame talking going on via social media between the Cougars and any of the teams you guys face this year?

“(Laughs) Upland is talking the most. They are always talking on social media. At Rancho, with the haters, we let the pads do the talking. But they are talking every day.”

If all goes to plan, what all will you and the Cougars have accomplished in 2017?

“Make it back to third round of the playoffs and win. We have to take it week by week. We are not worried about records or going 12-1 again. We are just focused on each week and game by game on getting better.”

What about for you? What personal goals have you set?

“I want more than 2,000 yards rushing with over 25 touchdowns. It will be a challenge to accomplish but that is the goal I have set.”

Sean, good luck with the upcoming season and thanks for your time today.

“Thank you.”

Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com FREE!

If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!

Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Sean Dollars at a 7v7 tournament (2017)

Photo credit: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin; No. 27 Sean Dollars breaks free (2016)

Photo credit: Dollars family; Sean Dollars at USC (2017)