Interview: 3-Star 2021 QB Will Haskell Gives Insight to His San Diego State Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
On Saturday, May 16, a silent commitment made by three-star Class of 2021 dual-threat quarterback Will Haskell was made public. San Diego State was able to land their cornerstone recruit over five other reported offers capable of molding the rest of the class around their new do-everything talent… and, boy, are they getting a good one.
Haskell checks every box an offensive coordinator/quarterback coach wants in their player of the future. The Ironwood High School standout measures in at 6-4, 205-pounds, has the arm talent after hitting 101 of 168 passes for 1,401 yards with 20 scores against just four picks and can beat a defense with his legs rushing for 965 yards off 106 totes with 14 touchdowns in just 10 games during the 2019 season. Two other key traits in Haskell that do not show up on the stat sheet, the upside to his talents has no bounds and he is just beginning to scratch the surface of what he can do to dominate a game.
To learn all about Haskell’s process along the recruiting trail that led him to a verbal commitment with San Diego State, we sat down for a commitment interview.
*Click link for May 8, 2020, RNG interview with Will Haskell
Interview
Will, congratulations on your commitment to San Diego State.
“Thank you.”
When we spoke last during the first week in May you had already made your verbal commitment. When did you actually commit?
“I gave my verbal, I think it was on April 20th. It was the day before I saw my grandparents in Idaho, I was there for two weeks. I wanted them to know face-to-face my decision. When I came back, it was all business. I had everything planned and in place, the rest was trying to get the whole team together for the video. I got it all out of the way.”
Let’s go back to that moment. How did you commit to the SDSU coaching staff?
“When I first told my dad about my commitment, we started crying. All the work that I had put in, all the hours, and we have such a strong passion for the game… He has been pushing me from Day 1. After that, I got on the phone with Coach Heck (Jeff Hecklinski – OC/QB). I told him I was giving my verbal to San Diego State. He was excited to let me know that I am an Aztec and that they are excited. I told me that I am the quarterback they wanted. I could not have done it without family, friends, teammates, and coaches.”
What was the reaction of Coach Heck when you told him you were committing?
“He was excited. I could tell from his voice. I started the conversation joking that I was committing somewhere else. I told him I was committing to San Diego State, he said thank you for the opportunity to coach me. His family was there. I could hear the energy of his house after my commitment. From there, I felt the love immediately. His family was excited for me with my new journey.
“I’ve wanted nothing less to play for a university that cares as much as I do about the game and winning. They do not shy away from teams; they want to compete. I wanted to go to a university that shares my drive for winning and puts their players in the best situations.”
Before that meeting happened, what was going through your mind? What were you feeling?
“It was a hard decision, I’m not going to lie. I didn’t want to make the wrong decision. My fear was making a decision too early – if I commit, but wanted to go somewhere else. With all the conversations with Coach Heck, and all their coaches, they have taken me right in from the start. We talk about school, their academics, their culture – everything I wanted to know as a student, not just an athlete, they hit on everything I wanted to hear.”
Given all the talents you have in the pocket, how do they see you fitting into their offensive scheme?
“They do want a dual-threat that can run and pass successfully. I think what they are trying to do is put me in the best situations with RPOs (run-pass option), zone reads, and play-action to pull the linebackers up. They will work the game around me so the defense will not know where to attack us. We will have so much talent at all of the other positions as a run and passing threat, it will be really hard for teams to stop that.”
Now that you have accomplished a major life goal, how do you feel?
“It is crazy. As a little kid, I have grown up saying I want to play in the NFL. I was always telling my dad that. Knowing that I am a step closer to my goal that I made when I was a little kid, that makes me feel like I can accomplish anything. Knowing how many hours of training, lifting, and film sessions that I have done to accomplish my dream, it is the best feeling ever. From the beginning of my freshman year, I would not have thought I’d be in this position. People told me I needed to change positions and that I am not a college quarterback. Now I am showing the whole world that I am a quarterback, but I am not your average quarterback. I can crush whatever the defense throws at me.”
Are you or will you start helping recruit players to join you in San Diego?
“That’s one thing I told Coach Heck I wanted to do. I have some boys at my school who are hard workers, great athletes and students. They are looking for that one opportunity. I want to help my guys and other athletes playing football to get that opportunity. I am not a selfish person putting myself in front of everyone. I am humble. If I eat, my family eats with me.”
What’s your pitch to other top recruits?
“I will tell them straight up, if you want to play with one of the best quarterbacks that can help you get to the next level and further your career, why not come to SDSU. You will be surrounded by hard workers with great coaches that will develop you as a person and player, why pass up the opportunity. I will tell them my mindset. If they have the same drive and dedication, why wouldn’t they want that opportunity regardless of the schools that have offered.”
You announced yesterday, what have you been doing today?
“I announced yesterday, eight to 10 hours after I was on the field training. Right after that I had my conditioning and speed training workout for another hour. It does not matter that I have everything in line, I am still working because I have not made it yet. My goal is to win a Heisman Trophy and make it to the big leagues.”
Will, congratulations, again, on your commitment and good luck with your workouts this summer preparing for your senior season.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: AZCentral.com; No. 1 Will Haskell in action (2019)