Interview: 2021 San Diego Dual-Threat QB Luke Durkin Covers Offseason Workouts
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
California is well-known for the rich talent pool of quarterbacks groomed each season for top collegiate programs. So it seems, a college coach can stop in at any high school up and down the Golden State finding a pro-style or dual-threat talent that can guide a team to success on the gridiron. One of those players being groomed for next level greatness is Class of 2021 San Diego quarterback Luke Durkin.
The rise of Durkin through the ranks has been quick. As a sophomore, he was limited to five games after transferring to Scripps Ranch High School (CIF transfer rule), but was able to showcase the goods slinging the ball around for 842 yards with seven touchdowns. With a full season in the pocket guiding the Falcons’ offense, the 6-0, 185-pound, dual-threat earned All-City League honors covering 2,260 yards and 21 touchdowns with his arm and made six trips into the end zone on the ground during the team’s 12-1 season against Division-III competition.
College programs are beginning to find out about Durkin’s overall talents. With a 4.62 cumulative GPA, that helped make the offer dropped by Davidson an easy one. More college programs are hoping to see him this summer along the camp circuit as national interest rises.
In an RNG first-look interview, Durkin steps inside the Lab for a stylized Q&A interview giving full detail on his abilities running the Spread offense.
Interview
Luke, your game footage from the 2019 season is filled with college level plays showcasing your arm, reading defenses, and mobility in the pocket. Confidence is such a big part of the game for quarterbacks, given your physical talents, how did that merge with knowing that you could pick apart any defense out there?
“I definitely took the mental part as serious as the physical. Last season, I broke down defenses with my coaches and on my own time. Doing that allowed me to be more confident in games, like you said, and allowed me to use my physical tools to take advantage of that.”
Running the Spread last season, how did your overall game improve?
“Running the Spread offense allows quarterbacks to be versatile. We were running RPO (run-pass options) with verts and zone reads; that allowed the offense and me to be versatile.”
You just mentioned a couple of them, what were some of the other routes you were throwing to last season?
“I threw slants, underneath seams to tight ends, some Pro shoot routes, and some verts to receivers.”
When lining up pre-snap, what is your process and what were some of the coverages you were going against last season?
“Last season, we had two deep threats so we were seeing Cover 4 and 2. Some teams tried to man us up, then we went deep. If we were getting soft zones, we were throwing underneath.”
For any given game, what was your weekly preparation for Friday night?
“Going into any game I looked at a lot of film; I take film seriously. Every day in practice when the defense was running their drills, me and our QB coach would watch film. After homework I would watch film at nights by myself looking for tendencies so I would know who I am playing against on Friday night.”
Is there an aspect or trait to your game that may get overlooked?
“My mobility and maybe the most overlooked is my ability to make every throw on the field. Another is my movement in pocket and making people miss while keeping my head up and making the throw downfield. I value that a lot with my game.”
Will there be any tweaks or differences in the 2020 offense you are running?
“Yes, we are making a few changes. We are losing two tight ends; we will be more of an RPO team with sprint out RPOs, a run option; I will run me more this season.”
Over the offseason, how have you been developing chemistry with the next group of skill guys on the team?
“We have had some team Zoom meetings with the offense, the quarterback, receivers, and running backs. We go over the plays, and we try to go some parks to throw to develop chemistry. We grew up together. I have known my receivers for a long time, we played youth ball together. Now we are fine-tuning and getting everything down.”
Are you working with a QB coach this offseason?
“Yes, I am working a few QB coaches; Coach Brady and Coach Danny Hernandez.”
What are you working with your QB coaches?
“I am working on mechanics, and fixing little things like driving off my back foot with the ball, keeping my head stable, and not over rotating my shoulders.”
Are you working on anything else with your game?
“Besides my mechanics, my speed. I am at a 4.8 now, I want to get down to 4.6. To do that, I am working on my fast-twitch explosion too.”
If the college camp circuit happens, are there any camps you may attend?
“I was planning on going to some Ivy League camps and to a William & Mary camp, but many were cancelled. This summer I will visit schools that have offered; Davidson has offered and any other school that may offer.”
The offer from Davidson is there, which other schools are showing interest?
“A lot of Ivy League schools like Columbia, Harvard, Penn, Dartmouth, Will & Mary, and some CAA conference schools.”
A minute ago, you mentioned visiting various schools, schools that have offered or when camping. Do you have any planned?
“William & Mary. My dad played there, and as mentioned, any other schools that are showing interest and I am interested in I would like to visit.”
An easy question for you. What have you been doing for fun during this time?
“For fun, I am trying to get my school work done. When I am done with that, I am lucky that we have a gym in my garage and I go to the park with my teammates and pass the ball around; and hang out with them. That is really it.”
Last one, what has inspired you as a football player and quarterback in high school?
“Since the time I have been five-years-old, I always remember being in the huddle during the summer with some of the athletes my dad works with. My dad happens to train some of the best athletes in the world, like Drew Brees, LaDainian Tomlinson, Carson Palmer, Aaron Rodgers, Darren Sproles, and Chase Daniel just to name a few. When I started to develop a passion for football, these experiences really allowed me to learn how these athletes work, prepare, and achieve greatness. Hearing the language and vernacular, seeing the preparation, and learning from these athletes has helped my football IQ immensely.
“My dad has trained Drew for 18 years, and to get feedback from a guy like that the last few years has been incredible. Now, I feel blessed to play the game of football and put in the time with physical preparation, training, film review, and all aspects to help me fulfill my dream of playing college football.”
Luke, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your spring workouts.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Durkin family; Luke Durkin at the LA Elite 11 Regional and spring workout