Interview: 2021 Centennial QB Jake Retzlaff Talks Workouts and Elite 11 Performance
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Every high school football player serious about taking their craft to the next level has to look upon each season as a learning opportunity. The experience gained during the 2019 season for Jake Retzlaff was part of a breakout year that will lead to a breakthrough season in 2020.
Slinging the rock for Corona’s Centennial High School is never easy. The Huskies play one of the more challenging non-conference schedules in the nation each year and are always set for a deep run in California’s Division-I Southern Section playoff bracket. Huskies’ head coach Matt Logan began the 2019 season with three very capable quarterbacks led by seniors Carter Freedland and Ala Mikaele. As the season wore on, Retzlaff (6-2, 185) asserted himself into the three-man rotation working his craft into a starting role by mid-season. At the end of the campaign, Centennial posted a 9-3 record with a No. 20 national ranking (MaxPreps) and their emerging field general led the squad with 1,067 passing yards and eight touchdowns with three rushing scores.
The weight of Retzlaff’s senior season is not lost on him. Even with team workouts cancelled, the Class of 2021 gunslinger is doing his best to get workouts in to push his game forward. One last big workout completed was competing at the Elite 11 regional in California.
For an update on his growth on the field, workouts, and Elite 11 camp performance, we sat down for an in-depth conversation.
Interview
Jake, looking back to the 2019 season, you showed so much growth in your game and really got to turn it on later in the season. Overall, how did the season go for you personally?
“It was a slow start, with our situation. I was patient waiting for my opportunity. I grew so much last season; I am really looking forward to my senior year. I like the guys we got coming back. I think we will be in great shape. It was a great growth season last year; I got a lot of meaningful snaps. Last year helped me with the spotlight and I can grow from that experience to be even better during my senior year.”
What were some of the key areas of your game that showed the most improvement?
“My ball placement and knowing I can compete with these guys. A year ago, I was grinding, but I was tentative. Now I know I am one of those guys. I am no longer trying to compete with them but now I am out there doing my thing. I know all the scenarios and I know where to put the ball. Downfield accuracy has picked up for me and I am running the ball better too.”
The Huskies played some really tough teams, again, last season. Of the games played, which did you do your best?
“I think the Liberty game was my best. Maybe Mater Dei. The Liberty game was my most impactful.”
What did you do well against Liberty?
“Against Liberty, that was Gary’s (Bryant) big game breaking the school record getting on the leader board. He had five touchdowns, I forget how many yards. I threw three touchdowns to him to help him break that school record. That was my first start. Since the first possession of the game, everything was clicking. Gary was on fire. The whole team came together, we all clicked.”
Since the season ended, what have you been working on with your game?
“After the season I was playing basketball. That was a great break for me to go into another sport, then I went to baseball, but that was cut short. I like playing other sports and doing my thing in something different. When 7v7 came around, I worked on my release – gotta have a quicker release, and my footwork. One thing I am working on with my own time are my drops. We don’t drop at Centennial.
“I am getting with my guys. I’ve been working with (WR) Brandon Alvarez a couple of times a week. It is harder with the virus, but I’m trying to get my guys together. We had just started spring ball, there was a lot of growth with all of us already before we stopped.”
How have you expanded your understanding of the game this offseason?
“With improving my knowledge, I like to look back at myself and other guys at Centennial over the years. (Class of 2014 QB) Robert Webber was the guy coach gave me. I watch him on Hudl. I watch how he played against St. John Bosco and Mater Dei seeing how he was so effective. He had 4,000 passing yards in a season, that is the school record, and he had an insane run game. I want to be like that. I want to understand why he did so well and understand the decisions he made against different defenses. He is the ideal model; he was not the biggest or the fastest but he still got it done.”
The skills you displayed got you that coveted invite to the Elite 11 Regional in California. How did that camp go?
“I think it went well. It was cool to meet the coaches from across the country at that camp. There was a lot of knowledge to take from there. It was cool to see how they do different things in different situations. Different coaches teach different things to accomplish the same thing. It was a good experience.”
What were some of the drills they put you through at the Elite 11?
“One drill that stood out to me was one that Coach (Brian) Stumpf, who ran the camp, did – the Pro Day drill. He had us throw eight or 10 passes in an NFL combine process. He scored us tightly. A perfect ball was three points, a good ball is worth two, and you get one point for a completion. That is something I would like to see translate onto the field for me. The throws are back-to-back-to-back. That really helps in a game; you can’t think, you just have to play.”
Of the drills performed, which do you feel you performed your best?
“Probably the step-up drill. You drop back, an edge rusher is coming, you rip forward with your hips, reset your feet and throw. We did it multiple ways. A coach hits you with the bag on your front side, you rip through it, and throw the dig. Then the same with a corner to the slot on a roll out. Working on that outside pressure, step up, get past it and deliver a strike.”
After the season you turned in, which schools are now showing interest?
“Sac State and Lehigh are showing the most interest. A lot of interest is coming through on Twitter. North Dakota State, Montana and Montana State have reached out to me.”
Before the campuses were shutdown, did you take any visits extending back into last season?
“Yes. I took visits to Arizona State and went to an Elite Day at USC.”
How did the Arizona State visit go?
“It was great. It was impressive what they did. I was there for a game during the season; it was the USC game. That was a hell of a game. I got to meet their QB coaches and offensive coordinator. It was really cool what they put us through. They put us in the team room and showed us the day to day at ASU. They showed some highlights of their seniors and talked about Pat Tillman and a current player working on his masters. They went over how they hold you accountable and how they help you with your college career. They took care of us really well. They showed why ASU would be a great fit. I really liked it.”
And the USC visit, how did that turn out?
“It went well. The coaches were talking to the guys when we got there and we went to the stadium. They did a presentation on the offense, then they showed us how they run it and why they do different things. Their thing is we are better at what we do than what you do. I liked that.”
Once things pick back up, do you have any planned visits you may take?
“Sac State, I want to get there. It is hard to go across the country for visits. Yale has shown some interest and some Texas schools, Tulsa and Trinity in Texas. I am hoping to go on a road trip to a lot of these colleges over the next few months.”
Jake, always great getting time in with you. I appreciate the update and wish you success with your spring workouts.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Elite 11; Jake Retzlaff at the Elite 11 Regional in California