Interview: 3-Star 2020 ATH Jakai Torres Turns in Another All-CIF Worthy Season

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Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Another great all-around season for Jakai Torres should mean another team MVP award and more Santa Fe All-League honors. On a team with 25 to 30 players listed on the roster, Torres stood out yet again in 2019 as that do-everything athlete with the heart of a champion.

Torres started catching eyes and attention a year ago after rushing for 1,770 yards off 171 totes with 24 touchdowns and showed his all-purpose nature with 689 receiving yards posting 2,600 all-purpose yards with 32 total touchdowns. Even more impressive, he was a two-way warrior putting an end to 57 plays with seven tackles for a loss, four sacks, and picked off two passes.

With teams keying on the St. Bernard High School talent, the 5-11, 205-pound, athlete surged forward in 2019 rushing for 1,100 yards making 11 trips into the end zone and pulled in 29 passes for 441 yards with four more scores. His speed was further showcased on special teams taking back 11 kicks for 285 yards and two punts for 57 more. On defense, playing primarily at outside linebacker, and even sometimes at end, Torres racked up 45 solo stops with 10 tackles for a loss, forced four balls loose and picked up four. The hard work pushed the Vikings into the playoffs and has earned the three-star recruit offers from San Jose State and Nevada.

In an RNG catch-up interview, I sat down with one of California’s more overlooked talents for an update on a fantastic season that many are overlooking.

*Click link for Aug. 10, 2019, RNG interview with Jakai Torres

Interview

Mr. Torres, you tore it up again going over 1,100 yards rushing with 11 touchdowns. What was working for you again this season to do so well?

“I did not meet my own expectations this year. I had a decent year, but it could have been better. With my team being young, we had 25 total kids, 16 were freshmen, we got them on the same page as me and we worked hard every day in practice. That helped me perform well this year.”

Given the set of circumstances, you shinned in the aerial attack as well. How was that part of your skillset highlighted in the offense?

“I performed well receiving. I was working on catching the ball in the offseason and during the season. Being in the slot, it gave me QB more weapons to depend on when we were passing. I was giving another look for my QB.”

Where did you show the biggest improvements in your overall game this season?

“I got better with everything overall. I made some mistakes making reads, but as the season went on, I got better. Towards the end of season, I balled out on defense. I was being a team player making sure the team had best interests on the field and that we were all on the same page. I made sure we all had an understanding of what we were working towards and what we wanted to accomplish.”

On defense, where all did you end up lining up during your senior year?

“At the beginning I was playing some at outside linebacker and end. Towards the end I was playing all over the field.”

Given all that you were doing, which was your best game this year?

“The Verbum Dei game (won 52-0). After all the hard teams we scheduled, Loyola, Westchester, and St. Pius, going through those games paid off in the Verbum Dei game. I had five touchdowns. I performed well helping my team make the playoffs.”

The offers from San Jose State and Nevada are on the table, which schools are showing interest?

“Colorado State, UCLA, USC, Wyoming, and Washington State.”

Coming up, are you planning on taking any unofficial and/or official visits?

“Over the next couple of weeks, I will start going on visits. We are planning on going to UNLV, Nevada, and San Jose State.”

With the offseason now here, what will you work on to keep pushing your skills forward?

“My biggest thing is to get bigger, stronger, and faster. I want to learn more about the game and increase my football IQ.”

Coming to the conclusion of your senior season, what is your proudest moment from the 2019 season?

“My proudest moment is being around my teammates and having that feeling. Knowing that they have your back and you have their back. That trust and loyalty, that is what makes a team successful. That bond from the weight room to practice and then to the games – and that feeling after winning a game and being around a lot of people you can relate to. That’s the best feeling.”

Jakai, congratulations on a great high school career. I am excited to see how your recruiting process goes from here.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: St. Bernard High School; No. 6 Jakai Torres