Interview: 3-Star 2020 Logan Bednar is More than Just a Dominating Offensive Lineman
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Photo credit: Raymond Joyce Photography
Twitter: @RJPSports
The proof is out there for all to see, they just have to watch the reel. Class of 2020 offensive lineman Logan Bednar is dominating his peer group and doing it on one of the biggest stages in the country, against southern California competition in the Trinity League for St. John Bosco. It all has a feeling of scratching the surface of great raw talent.
Most teams would crumble under the weight of a Braves regular season schedule, but the Bosco players endure marching through deep into the CIF playoffs posting a 13-1 record with an end of season No. 2 national ranking (MaxPreps). League games forced the Braves to take on four teams at one-time ranked inside the Top 15 before facing tough teams in the playoffs; Orange Lutheran, Mater Dei, and JSerra. The playoffs ran down another list of who’s who in Serra (Gardena), San Clemente, Top 10 ranked Oaks Christian, and a second go-around with eventual national champs Mater Dei. Helping the Braves back to the CIF Southern Section Championship Game was their 6-4, 300-pound, right tackle. Although he made it look easy going up against All-Americans, the 2018 season was Bednar’s first at tackle coming up through the ranks as a guard.
After a breakout junior season, college coaches are lining up showing interest in the line mover ready to see if he is a fit for their scheme at the next level, what they will find is a true student-athlete. To learn about it all, I sat down with the rising three-star 2020 talent for an in-depth one-on-one.
Interview
Logan, each week in the Trinity League is a true battle. For those who may not know, what is a league game like in the trenches?
“You are going against the top performers in California, the top players in the west. Most of the teams we play against in the Trinity League are ranked within the Top 100 to Top 30 in the nation, some in the Top 10. It is a battle each week. You are going up against all of the All-American Game guys. There is a lot of preparation that goes into each game. You are constantly diagnosing what you can do against the opposition to win battles and so you know what the opponent is throwing at you.”
As mentioned, you played against some of the best competition in the nation last season, how did the big games help improve your overall game?
“I think for the big games you have to rise to the occasion. It is any given Friday night for us. You have to play at your best every Friday. I was going against the best defensive linemen in the nation, guys like (five-star) Bru McCoy (Mater Dei – Texas). you can’t come to the field short-handed against guys like Bru. You have to be ready to fend him off to give DJ Uiagalelei time to throw and give our running backs lanes.”
Which game was a challenge for you going up against a talented tackle, end, and/or linebacker?
“I’d say the most challenging games were both times against Mater Dei. The JSerra game was another one. That was the school I transferred from before coming to Bosco. That was a tough one for me seeing where I have come from to this point. Against JSerra, that was the day to show how far I have come on the field. I was playing against San Diego State commit Shawn Nielsen. Another tough one for Mater Dei was tackle Keyon Ware-Hudson (Oregon). We were playing against top-notch high-level players.”
How did that showdown help make you better?
“For both games, I watched about eight to ten hours of film. I was going over their blitzes, seeing their weapons, seeing what they were capable of doing and what they like to do. That made me become a better student of the game. That helped push me over the edge.
“On the physical part, I played against one of the most athletic players in the league over the last few years. He is lightning fast, strong, and he can jump. Keyon is a complete monster. I had to step up to that plate and get the job done.”
Which game was your best last season?
“I’d say the first Mater Dei game. I was locked in, I performed well. We gave up no sacks against their defense in the first game.”
What do you feel are the strengths to your game as a pass blocker?
“My footwork is one of the things I am most proud of. My other strengths, I keep my feet moving, I battle off defenders, and my overall strength. Once I lock onto a guy, they are not going anywhere except where I am taking them.”
What about as a run blocker?
“I feel that my ability to see the field is a strength. I can see the defense shifting, see where they are going to fill the gaps so I know where to go. I am as physical as possible to drive them into the ground or move their linebackers another five to ten yards downfield.”
Which areas are you focusing on this offseason?
“I am tightening up everything. I am back to the basics again. There is no way to build up without everything tightened up. I am working on my footwork, physicality, and strength. I am leading our leader board in our weight lifting program. I am getting more speed on me preparing to get to linebackers better, to run screens, to pull, and to get to the defensive backs and linebackers making them want to move out of the way.”
You’ve mentioned your strength a couple of times and being atop the leader board for the Braves, what are you maxes in the weight room?
“My bench is 330, my squat is 535, and my power clean is 280.”
All very impressive. Congrats.
“Thank you.”
Going into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
“Yale, Rice, Vanderbilt, and Cornell. UNLV’s head coach was recently at my school to talk to me. San Jose State, Fresno State, Army, UCLA, USC, and Oregon are also showing interest. Stanford is making sure I am keeping my 4.2 and in AP classes.”
With the high GPA, have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?
“Yes, sir. I scored a 1220 on the SAT but I am taking it again shooting for a 1300.”
What is the key thing for you with recruiting beyond getting a great education?
“I want to be a dominating offensive lineman for that school. I want to contribute right away if possible. I don’t mind if I have to redshirt and build up, but when the time comes I want to dominate for my school.”
*Logan picked up an offer from Dartmouth after the interview
Have you had a chance to take any unofficial visits yet?
“Yes. I have been to Arizona State, USC – right before the season started, and I went to a UCLA game this year.”
Nice. Do you have any planned visits upcoming?
“I am thinking about a cross country trip to Yale and visiting some of the local schools like San Diego State, UCLA, USC, and ASU again soon.”
Which camps are you planning on attending this offseason?
“I just went to the Nike Regional and I plan on going to the Adidas, Under Armour All-American Camp, and to the Polynesian Bowl Combine in March.”
How did the Nike camp go?
“It went well. I went 6 for 6, scored a 26-inch vertical, and I was top for a lineman with a peak power of 8,080. I was happy with how I performed. I won my reps.”
Logan, great talking to you today about your game and recruiting. I appreciate your time and wish you success at the upcoming camps.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: No. 66 Logan Bednar (right tackle)