Interview: 3-Star 2021 QB Brayden Zermeno Updates Workouts and Elite 11 Regional Performance
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The 2019 season was a coming out party for Class of 2021 quarterback Brayden Zermeno, with a senior season that is sure to bring the roof down. The 6-4, 225-pound, gunslinger made the move from Mission Viejo to Los Angeles’ Loyola High School throwing for 1,633 yards with eight touchdowns off 147 completions and toted the rock 44 times for 323 yards with four more scores posted on the board. Recruiting status for Zermeno is quickly on the rise with a three-star ranking and offers in possession from Cornell, San Diego State, William & Mary and Yale.
What those in Southern California already knew about Zermeno was put on a national stage at the Elite 11 Regional (March 7). The showcasing of skills has pushed his interest forward with numerous visits planned once campuses open up again. To talk about it all, Zermeno sat down for another RNG interview.
*Click link for Jan. 22, 2020, RNG interview with Brayden Zermeno
Interview
Brayden, last time we mixed it up, we covered your junior season with Loyola. Let’s jump out on what all you’ve been working on with your technique this offseason… so, what have you been working on with your mechanics and technique since we last spoke?
(Laughs) “Same stuff I have been working on – deep ball, post, and go routes. I’ve also been working on roll outs to the left side of the field, getting my hips out so I don’t close myself off. I am working on my timing from under center on a lot of routes. That is really crucial after my first year under center.”
How have you been expanding the understanding of the game so far this spring?
“I keep drilling our playbook. I keep trying to find a weakness I may have, something I am not grasping 100 percent. I am also implementing things from other coaches I have learned. We’ve added a couple new plays; I am working those in with my receivers. If you can’t teach it to someone, where they can understand it, you do not know it well enough. I am working with them on the new plays, asking them about the progressions so they know the full perspective, what they should expect from the defense. If they are running a seam, where do they bend it against a safety. I am working on a lot of in-game aspects, pre-snap and post-snap reads, and how we will play it against different defenses this year.”
Are you playing 7v7 ball this spring?
“With my high school team, LA Elite.”
Last weekend you got to display the skills on a national stage competing against other top quarterbacks at the Elite 11 Regional in Los Angeles. How did that camp go for you?
“It went really well. It was cool just to learn some new drills and it is fun to compete. I saw a lot of familiar faces like Miller (Moss) and Maalik (Murphy). It was cool catching up with them and to compete against them. I had a good day and showed my athleticism with the running and drills. It was fun and a cool experience.”
How did you prepare for that regional?
“With my coach, my offensive coordinator. He is one of the coaches at the Elite 11. A couple of times we went over different drills. I have worked with my personal trainer at Granite Gym three days a week since we were done with the season. I have been working on my strength and getting stronger in all aspects. I train with my QB coaches a lot; Adam, Taylor, and John a couple of days a week. For speed, I work with a guy they call the Speed Doctor. I am getting my 40 down and my running form right.”
What were some of the drills you performed during the camp?
“We did the vertical jump, power ball toss, and the 40; those were the athletic drills. Then we did a lot of rolling out stuff. A lot of the coaches were saying guys can throw great balls but they wanted to get you off your game and see how you adapt. We were doing roll outs, then stop, back pedal and then throwing it into a tight window.”
During the camp, which drills do you feel showcased your talents best?
“We did an RPO drill with Quincy Avery, I showed how I can get a lot of power without sudden hitches. We went against a Cover 2, a flat hole shot. The receiver on the outside would release and go. I did an RPO like an inside zone, I pull it without and steps throwing a 25-yard hole shot on the line. The pro day drill, that showed my diversity. I was maybe one of two guys who went under center. I showed that I can go under center.”
Are there any other camps coming up where you may showoff the skills again?
“A lot of them got cancelled. I was supposed to go a Rivals camp in Texas this weekend. I’m supposed to go to a Junior Day at Princeton and Yale on April 11. If it happens, I am excited to see Coach (Mark) Rosenbaum (QB) at Princeton and Coach Matt Cerins (TE) and Coach (Kevin) K Hill (OC) at Yale. I want to see the Ivy League experience. Over the summer, that is when I will do my camps. Then I plan to see some SEC schools and go to Oregon, UCLA, and USC. I will definitely check out Stanford.”
Nice turn to recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
“Maryland, Colorado State, Washington, Fresno State, Eastern Washington, Wisconsin, and Arkansas.”
How many offers are you holding?
“Four.”
A second ago you mentioned visiting some SEC teams, which teams are you planning on visiting?
“I want to check out Georgia, and one or two others. One of my coaches said schools we might visit schools like Miami, Florida, and Florida State; they may be showing some interest. I might go check out Arkansas again.”
Brayden, always great getting time in with you talking football and recruiting. Good luck with your workouts until we speak again.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Elite 11/Zermeno family; Brayden Zermeno