Interview: 2023 Florida QB Dylan Rizk Working Off Varsity Experience with American Heritage

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The 2019 season was a successful one for Class of 2023 quarterback Dylan Rizk. The rising freshman got the rare call-up to the varsity level with American Heritage starting the season serving as a backup for 2020 dual-threat Zachary Bohannon. The Stallions coaching staff worked Rizk (6-2, 185) in as needed against 4A Florida competition layering experience on him preparing him to compete for the starting job this season. All the attributes for success are there, along with a bloodline that extends to Miami. Rizk already has an offer in-hand from Kentucky and gets to learn more about the game from his brother Ryan Rizk, a redshirt sophomore quarterback with the Hurricanes.

In an RNG exclusive interview partnered with QB Hit List, Rizk sat down for a one-on-one conversation covering his growth on the field in 2019 and his work this offseason preparing for a breakthrough sophomore campaign.

*Click the link to view Dylan Rizk’s QB Hit List profile page

Interview

Dylan, you tore it up against your peer group. What was working for you allowing for the successful freshman season on the field?

“Honestly, coming from the offseason, I was prepared from studying and being mentally ready. Knowing their defense and I was picking on their weakest player; I knew what to do. I would pick at them. My reads, that made me successful.”

When did you get the call-up to varsity last season?

“In spring football, they were determining between JV and varsity for me. I did well in the spring. They told me I was the varsity backup two weeks before the first game. They told me that I was going in whenever we want you to or if the starter gets hurt.”

After watching game footage on you last season, it looked like you were in control of the offense. How did your game improve last season running the Spread attack?

“I am more pro-style, but I run when I can. I always try to stay in the pocket. If there is a rush, I will dodge and deliver the pass. Playing in a Spread has taught me to be calm in the pocket. If pressured, I will stay in the pocket and keep reading the defense.”

Jumping to the varsity level, what were some of the things you had to adjust to as a quarterback?

“Definitely the speed. I was not used to how fast everything was. The long play calls too. Before it was two words, now it was six or seven words. The speed and the fast tempo of the game was an adjustment. I was going slow at first; I had to adjust.”

How has that varsity experience helped you this offseason with our workout?

“A ton. Everything I did at the varsity level has helped this offseason. With that experience, I will be perfect at it this spring when I do it again.”

What have you been working on with your technique this spring?

“I have been working on everything that I needed to improve on from last season. I’ve been working routes in my head from right to left and left to right. I was a little stiff last year, I am working on that and my mechanics, being under control, and being tight and not too loose; bigger too.”

How are you expanding your understanding of the game this spring?

“By watching film from last season. I’ve been watching on second and long, seeing what the quarterback last season was reading in the other games so I know what to read.”

With everything limited, what has been your daily workout routine?

“Every day I start my school work at 9:00 a.m. I get all my homework done at around 1 or 2:00 p.m., then I go to the gym in my house. I workout in the gym and then I work with a target in the driveway. My brother (Ryan Rizk) is a QB at UM (Miami), I work with him.”

This summer, are you going to any college camps?

“Oh yeah, UM, UF (Florida), Kentucky, Ohio State, and LSU.”

Which programs are showing interest?

“UM, Kentucky offered me, UM – I’ve been going there since my brother started playing there, I have balled out their camp; they are looking at me hard. UF, they’ve been looking at me too. Wisconsin and LSU are showing interest. Those are the schools that I know of right now.”

Other than visits to Miami, have you taken trips to see any other campuses over the last few months?

“I was going to go to plenty of spring games, UF, Ohio State, UM, and Kentucky, but all of those were cancelled.”

You’ve been there a lot, but walk me through a Miami visit for you.

“I walk around the locker room, I go everywhere there. I know every coach. I was there last when Coach (Dan) Enos (OC) was there. Coach (Manny) Diaz is an awesome head coach. I want to meet the new OC. From what I hear, everything is running smoothly over there.”

There were a few planned visits that got shutdown, are there any you may take this summer?

“UF, Kentucky, Ohio State, LSU, and FSU.”

Dylan, thanks for your time today. Wishing you success with the rest of your offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Rizk family; Dylan Rizk workout and pregame warm-up (2019)