Interview: 2022 California QB Jack Ruff Set to Showcase All the D-I Skills
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The scheduled sophomore season for St. Margaret’s quarterback Jack Ruff went off as planned. The 6-4, 195-pound, gunslinger continued to develop his craft and work the Tartans offense at the junior varsity level and then got the nod for varsity reps late in the 2019 season. The only thing slowing down his growth in the eyes of college scouts is the wait on California’s 2020 schedule. Ruff can make all the throws, has worked and reworked his technique and fundamentals with QB Coach Danny Hernandez throughout the offseason, and has a strong understanding for the game backed by his 4.4 cumulative GPA and 32 scored on the ACT. Those programs already liking what they are seeing includes Yale, Columbia, Eastern Washington, MIT and Carlton College (MN).
With all in the San Juan Capistrano area ready to see Ruff sling the pigskin, the Class of 2022 rising star stopped by the RNG Lab for detailed confab.
Interview
Jack, this offseason you’ve been preparing to take over the Tartans offense. What is the offensive philosophy of the team for the 2020 season?
Good question. Taking what the defense gives you, don’t force throws, moving the chains down the field and not having any turnovers. We will take shots downfield. We do a lot of quick game and running the ball to set up the deep shots.
How would you describe your talents and abilities as a quarterback?
Mentally, on every play I know where my receivers are, what I need to do with my play fakes to help get my receivers open, and I know where to put the ball. A strength of mine is staying in the pocket taking that shot if I have to, but I can extend the play with my legs. My role on the field is to make sure everyone is doing their job. I make sure they are looking to me if they have a question, not to the sidelines for help.
What are some of the routes your receivers will be running within the scheme?
Everything: drags, outs, posts, corners, curls, quick game pitches, speed outs, play action, and deep crosses. We have diversity with our routes.
Throughout the offseason, what have you been working on with your fundamentals to prepare for the defenses you will see?
The biggest focus was cleaning up my mechanics with Coach Danny (Hernandez). I have been working on the perfect throwing stroke creating more power with my hips. I am pushing for that vertical L with my hips going first. Footwork, that sets you up for success. I have been working on my timing and footwork with my receivers.
You mentioned working on your mechanics with Coach Danny; what else are you working on with Danny?
Every weekend I go to San Diego to work with him working on that perfect throwing motion. We are working on everything getting me ready for the next level.
How are you pushing your understanding of the game this offseason?
My offensive coordinator and I have spent a lot of time in the playbook going over blitzes and reads. We get in the film room weekly.
What have you been doing to prepare your body for the toll of playing against top California competition?
I have been getting in the weight room almost daily putting in the work to get stronger. We’ve been practicing full time. We are waiting for the pads to come out. When it is time, we are definitely ready to play.
After all this hard work, where are you seeing the improvements in your game with the extra practice time?
The biggest thing is my form overall. I look a lot different now than I did last season. My mechanics are better. I am more efficient, quicker, faster, stronger, and I have stronger arm strength. I feel confident putting the ball anywhere on the field.
You competed at the Elite 11 Regional in Los Angeles in 2020, how did that camp go for you?
It was great. It was fun getting to compete against the best quarterbacks around. I received a lot of great coaching. It was a great experience overall.
When the 2020 season kicks off this spring, what are you ready to showcase with developing skills?
I am ready to prove what I can do with a full season. I want to show that I am ready for the next level and I am one of the best players on the field.
Jack, thanks for your time today. Keep up the hard work this offseason. Tell Coach Danny I said hi.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Ruff family; Jack Ruff