Interview: 2021 QB Cole Lourd Building Off Varsity Snaps During Freshman Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Photo credits: Raymond Joyce Photography
Twitter: @RJPSports
There is an underground movement happening with high school football that will soon directly affect the college game. More and more kids at the junior high level are focusing in and receiving top notch instruction from quarterback and team coaches. The result is an uptick in seeing freshmen quarterbacks logging varsity minutes. The earlier the young men start to develop and hone their craft against top competition, the sooner they will thrive against said opposition with another end result, being high school talents way ahead of the curve in the pocket than previous generations. Another gun slinger on this path – rising 2021 quarterback Cole Lourd.
During Lourd’s freshman season, he got the bump up to the junior varsity level and then to the varsity squad. The 6-1, 185 pound, youngster got his first varsity pass completion in 2017 connecting on a 26-yard strike. Still squaring off against older competition, at the junior varsity level Lourd tore it up splitting snaps with an upperclassman. In split snaps through eight games, he tossed an estimated 18 touchdown passes.
In 2018, Lourd will get a chance to compete for a starting spot under center for Brentwood High School. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Lourd to learn more about his progression on the field and his offseason workouts.
Interview
Cole, during your freshman season you had that rare opportunity to receiver varsity snaps. What was that experience like for you?
“It was different from middle school and the junior varsity level. The main difference was the speed of the game. When we played Sierra Canyon, they had some big athletes. That was very different to go up against from freshman and junior varsity guys. But, you have to adapt, get the ball out quicker, and make the right read. At the end of games, I would come in if we were up by enough points or down to get some snaps. It is interesting to see the different speed and learn how I had to adapt.”
You adjusted your game based on the speed of the game, was there anything you had to adjust when playing against varsity talent?
“We ran a different offense on JV than on varsity. We did a lot of in the gun stuff and some pro-style stuff in JV. At varsity, we have a run based offense – we had a running QB. I had to make a lot of RPO (read-pass option) reads. The playbook was different but manageable.”
Did you also play freshman and/or JV ball in 2017?
“Yes.”
How were you able to showcase your abilities against talent closer to your own peer group?
“We had about 16 kids on JV team, I was splitting reps at quarterback and at receiver to showcase my athleticism. We were throwing the ball a lot, I ran some but not too much. We ran a lot of doubles, not as much trips. One side of the field read – a simple read. It was fun to play with guys from middle school to rebuild that connection.”
How do you or would you describe yourself as a quarterback at this point?
“I pride myself on my mechanics and playing sound as a QB. At the same time, I like to manage my game around Baker Mayfield – that is being able to make a play when the play breaks down and extend the play. I believe my arm and accuracy are strengths of my game.”
After a big freshman year with a lot of experience, going into the 2018 season, are you going to do anything differently with your practice and/or game week preparations?
“I think I will keep it the same with my workouts but watch more film. I want to get more confident in reading defenses. Last year, I was not going up against varsity competition every week, next year I will. I am watching more film, building chemistry with the guys on the team and instilling confidence in myself.”
What are some of the things you are working on this offseason to prepare for your sophomore campaign?
“My footwork and speed. I am playing lacrosse this spring, that will help with my speed and conditioning. That will help me be a better all-around athlete. I am training on the weekends with my 7v7 team, attending camps and showcases, and doing private QB training.”
You mentioned camps and combines, which camps are you planning to attend this offseason?
“I’m not sure about camps this spring, but over the summer I will go to USC’s camp, LSU’s camp – my dad went to school there, Alabama, Duke, SMU, Texas and some other SEC schools.”
You performed at the Rise and Fire Camp in LA last month. How did that go for you?
“I thought it went well. I saw some of my QB coaches there. I tried to make new friends, learn more about the game, and enjoy the process. It was fun.”
You said you are playing 7v7 ball this spring and summer, with which team?
“I am with Dream Team, part of ProWay, and I am playing 7v7 with my school.”
How is 7v7 helping you?
“It is helping me a lot. I’m playing with elite level talent. Playing 7v7 improves my game speed and helps me with my reads. My reads are getting better this spring.”
Are any schools showing interest in you yet?
“LSU, Florida Atlantic, Houston, Texas, and Washington State are all showing interest.”
Last question. Is there a quarterback or two at the college or NFL level that you watch to learn more about the game?
“I like watching Baker Mayfield, I like how he extends the play and his swagger. To learn more, I watched Jake Fromm. He is good in the pro-style offense at Georgia. I watched Josh Rosen too. How could I not, living in LA?”
Cole, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your offseason workouts.
“Thank you.”
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