Interview: 2021 California WR/APB Jashawn Todd Shows Out at National Combine
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
During the 2019 California high school football season, Jashawn Todd (5-10, 170) took another big step forward as that do-everything skill player for his Alemany squad. Building off a sophomore season that saw him pull in 26 passes for 379 yards with four touchdowns and carry the rock 10 times for 45 yards, he went into the next gear securing 21 passes for 339 yards with three touchdowns, rushed 12 times for 150 yards accounting for three more scores and even hit 5 of 6 pass attempts for 36 yards pushing his touchdown total up one more time. If that was not enough, he contributed to the Warriors 9-3 run against D-II competition as a return specialist.
With national camps and combines kicking off over the weekend seeing Todd show out at the National Combine, and with him making the move from Alemany to Oaks Christian, we sat down for a catch-up interview.
*Click link for August 2019 RNG interview with Jashawn Todd
Interview
Jashawn, your junior season was a great showcase of your overall athletic talents doing so many different things in the Warriors offense. How do you feel the season went?
“Honestly, I was expecting to shine bigger. It went well overall. I came out strong in the first half of the season, but I could have finished stronger in the last five games of our season.”
I have you at receiver, running the rock, and even slinging the pigskin and returning kicks and punts. Am I missing anything?
“No, that is right.”
At receiver, where all did you lineup on the field and what were some of the routes you were running?
“They used me in the slot and on the outside. Usually I was on quick routes to get up field; I was running outs, slants, corners, bubbles, and we ran all go a lot – a straight go up the field.”
How did your game show improvement as a receiver in 2019?
“I was getting in and out of my breaks like I wanted to after we talked last. With the top end speed at my route, I left no choice but for defensive backs to trail me. My hands got stronger as well – those are the things that popped out to me most.”
Having a connection and chemistry with the QB is important for a receiver; how did you develop that rapport with Miller Moss leading to the production on the field?
“Before football, it is the friendship that we built. Over the summer, we would go down to Huntington Beach to throw. It went from there. It is a great connection between the two of us.”
We are sitting down watching film together. I want to see your best game during the 2019 campaign, which one am I watching?
“I’d say Downey or Higley (AZ).”
What makes those games top performances for you?
“When I got the ball, it was more of a track meet. I was getting in open space and making plays. I got a lot of yards after the catch in those games.”
After the season turned in, which schools are showing interest?
“Washington State, Cal, and Oregon State are showing interest.”
From the start of the season to now, did you take any unofficial visits?
“Yes. I went to see a game Washington State game; their game against Colorado.”
Tell how the visit to Pullman went.
“It was great. It was an experience I will never forget. My mom and I went to a local restaurant, they treated me like I was a player there already. It was a great experience.”
Nice. Are you planning any visits for this winter or spring?
“I am looking to go to Cal soon. I like their program and their campus. Playing 7v7, I know we will go on some recruiting visits with our 7v7 coaches.”
This offseason, what are the focus of your workouts?
“I am working on my top speed. After I get the ball and break tackles, I want to make it undeniable I will score. I will not get caught from behind. My strength in my legs is something I am building up. I am building up my stamina and running in the sand.”
Camp season is already kicking off. Are there any camps you may attend coming up?
“Yes. This month, on the 18th I am going to the Rise and Fire Camp, I have been invited to Under Armour Camp in February, and in March I will go to the Polynesian camp – I was invited on Saturday to that camp. I am just coming back from National Combine in Texas.”
How did the Opening National Combine camp go?
“It was great. I met a lot of guys from all over the country, Virginia you name it. The one-on-ones, that is when everyone was competing. I went 12-0 in the one-on-one reps. I got my name out there then and I caught attention from some coaches.”
What was a big takeaway for you from the camp?
“It was more what they taught us. They want to build us to be young men and they let us know that we can contact them about life and football. They told us three key things, family, faith and football. After the one-on-ones, I know I can line it up with anybody.”
Awesome job, Jashawn. Thanks for your time today and good luck at the upcoming camps.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Twitter.com; No. 15 Jashawn Todd