Interview: 3-Star 2020 Washington ATH Kasen Kinchen Covers Big Breakout Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The Lake Stevens High School football coaches knew what they had on the roster, and they knew it was only a matter of time until they could fully unleash their monster talent. The reveal took place during the 2018 season and the nightmares are real for opposing 4A Washington teams; that nightmare is do-everything athlete Kasen Kinchen.

Kinchen was slowed by nagging injuries during the 2017 season, which may have angered the emerging Class of 2020 talent even more. When the 2018 season had come to a conclusion, the 5-11, 170-pound playmaker had put an end to 56 plays while breaking up 14 pass attempts snagging seven along the way. On the other side of the ball, the Vikings got 1,050 receiving yards on 52 receptions with 14 big scores going up on the board. The collective effort led to an improbable march to the championship game posting a 13-1 season.

Three-star status aside, which college coach doesn’t want a player of Kinchen’s caliber on their roster? The early offers have come from Oregon, Cal, and Northern Colorado with interest spreading like a positive trend. In-state powers Washington and Washington State are tracking him, along with most of the Pac-12, along with Notre Dame, Michigan, and Northwestern building the relationship.

In an RNG catch-up interview, I sat down with one of Washington’s best athletes in the 2020 class to get the inside scoop.

*Click link for June 2018, RNG interview with Kasen Kinchen

Interview

Kasen, the Vikings had a fantastic 2018 season making a run to the championship game. What was the blitz through the playoffs like for you?

“It was great. As a team, we were focused. I watched a lot of film. I had to, the playoff teams were better than some of the teams in our league. We worked hard in practice and came into the game prepared.”

Going up against the best teams in 4A, how did you take your game to the next level?

“By watching film and studying the opposing teams’ top receivers. I put in extra time at practice to better prepare. I was playing more physical, and more aggressive in the games. I was covering most of the top receivers we went against. They are faster than the other guys we faced. I had to keep my hips and feet ready.”

Which game throughout the season was your best?

“I’d say the Jackson (Mill Creek) game, during our homecoming week.”

What did you do well in that game to make it your best?

“I had three interceptions, one was a pick-six, and I had two touchdowns on offense.”

That certainly qualifies as a top game. I think it is safe to say you had an amazing all-around breakout year in 2018 by breaking up 14 passes and picking off seven. What was the biggest difference for you on the field from your sophomore to junior season?

“I was hurt my sophomore year (hip flexor), I didn’t play offense my sophomore year. It was a big adjustment playing both ways my junior season, but I had to step up for the team.”

What did you do well on offense last season? How did you show out?

“I am explosive and fast. On a lot of plays, I could run a screen and take it to the house. Same for slants, posts, and corners. They are all good routes for me.”

Is there an area of your game you feel gets overlooked?

“Not really. Some people question my height, but that is it.”

Which areas of your game are you intently focused on this spring?

“I am focused on my speed, footwork, being more explosive, and a better route runner – I can improve that area of my game and take it to another level. I need to gain weight, that is a big goal.”

Are you going to any national camps and/or combines coming up?
“I am going to the Under Armour All-American Camp on March 3.”

Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?

“Notre Dame, Northwestern, Michigan has talked to me at school, UDUB (Washington), Wazzu (Washington State), USC, Arizona – a lot of the Pac-12 schools are showing interest.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits in the last few months?
“I have been to UDUB, Wazzu, and I just went to Cal for their Junior Day last weekend. I have been to Stanford as well – that was a great experience. I went to Oregon and Oregon State during the season.”

How did the UDUB visit go?

“It was cool. I went to one of their games. It was a good experience. I met some of the coaches, and they took my height and weight.”

What about the Wazzu visit, how did that go?

“I went there for a game day visit. I talked to Coach Eric Mele (running backs). That was a good time. I really like it there. Pullman is a very good college town.”

And Cal, how did that go?

“It was great. My family and I sat one-on-one with Coach (Justin) Wilcox (head coach). I also spoke with Coach (Gerald) Alexander, their DB coach, and Coach Peter Sirmon (co-defensive coordinator). They were all cool and friendly. Berkeley is a great city and a great college town.”

Do you have any planned visits coming up?

“Yes. I am going to Notre Dame in March and then to Northwestern.”

That’ll be fun. As recruiting starts to become a little more serious nearing the end of your junior year in school, what are some of the criteria that will set different programs apart as you start your decision process in the coming months?

“My relationship with coaches. I want to feel they have my back when they are checking up on me. Education is really important to me. Football cannot last forever. I want an education that will help me after football. I am also looking for a good chance to play early.”

Kasen, it was great catching up with you today. Good luck with your upcoming visits and offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Kinchen family; Kasen Kinchen at Cal