Interview: 4-Star 2020 California RB JoJuan Collins Updates Season and Recruiting

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

There are few running backs in the high school ranks who seemingly have it all – power, size, and speed, but JoJuan Collins has it all. The Class of 2020 prospect is an enticing recruit for college coaches leading to a double-digit offer list from some of the best programs in the country and a four-star recruiting ranking.

At 6-1, 205-pounds, most high school defenders are hoping Collins trips over the field monster instead of taking a direct shot for the tackle. During his sophomore season with Dorsey High School, Collins was used at linebacker and at running back. The split time limited his overall carries but he still produced 447 yards on the ground off 50 carries with 12 scores and had three receptions for 42 yards with another trip into the end zone.

In the offseason, Collins transferred to Narbonne suiting up with one of the top public high school programs in southern California. The jersey maybe different but the results are much the same. In stats posted for Collins, he has rushed 27 times for 285 yards with three scores on the ground carrying a tem-high 10.6 yard per carry average. The change in venues has led to offers rolling in from teams like Auburn, Florida, Nebraska, Tennessee, San Diego State, Boston College, Georgia, Colorado, Oregon State, Utah, USC, and Oklahoma with interest still building.

In a mid-season catch-up interview, I sat down with Collins covering his junior year to date and his ever-growing recruiting process.

*Click link for April 16, 2018, RNG video interview with JoJuan Collins

Interview

JoJuan, the Gauchos have played some really tough competition this season already, teams like St. Louis, Poly, Centennial, and Serra; how has playing against top level competition like that helped you become an even better player?

“It has helped me by being able to read the holes quicker. We’ve been playing against better competition and quicker linebackers closing the holes. You have to move or you will get hit. It has also helped me drive through, past the line, for more yards. I am working to excel to get the five- and six yards needed. Because of my size, I keep driving without going down easy.”

How is the 2018 season going overall for you personally?

“Personally, it is going well. I have to fix some simple mistakes and build up more on my vision. I am focusing better than I was before, this is another level playing against actual teams.”

You touched on this a minute ago, where are you seeing the biggest improvements in your game?

“Skill wise, I am much faster, I have better footwork, better hands, and I know how to use my body to run over people. I can run through people and outrun them if I have to.”

Narbonne has won three in a row after knocking off Banning 50-0 on Friday, how did that game go for you?

“That game went well. I did tremendously well. I still have to clean certain things up; I know I can play at a higher level. I need to step up the way I did against Banning against other teams. I am still learning my skills, learning what to do in our offense.”

You said you did tremendously well, how well?

“I think I had four touchdowns, but one was called back. I think I had an 85-yard run in there.”

You guys get San Pedro next, what kind of challenge will their defense present for you and the offense?

“They are a better opponent than Banning. We have to play with our minds first and our physicality. They are not going to play a regular set defense against us. They will come with it and with more intensity. I have a lot of respect for them. As a team, we will show them and come out with our “A” game to get the win that we want. We have to practice hard and step up and be leaders with more discipline.”

You are a big hit on the recruiting trail, how many offers do you have now?

“I think I have 13 or 14 offers.”

Which schools were the last couple to offer you?

“Tennessee, UCLA, Oklahoma, and USC.”

Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?

“Ohio State, Washington, Notre Dame, Michigan, Michigan State, and UNLV are showing interest.”

Have you taken any visits over the last couple of months?

“Yes. I have taken visits to Georgia, UCLA, and USC.”

When did you visit Georgia and how did the visit go?

“I visited Georgia in July. It went well. The campus is really nice. Being from the south, the hospitality and warmth is great there. I am used to that.”

What about USC, how did that visit go?

“It was nice as well. We took a tour. It was pretty cool.”

What about the UCLA visit?

“That was a team visit. They showed me the campus and took me on a tour. I have been there several times now, I feel like I know where everything is.”

Do you have any planned visits that you may take in the next couple of months?

“Yes. I am planning on visiting Tennessee, Texas, Michigan, and I want to go back to Georgia again. I’d like to check out some of the Big Ten and SEC schools if I can.”

JoJuan, the Gauchos seem to be coming together and hitting stride, any last words for the opposition this year?

“Keep a watch out for the Gauchos this year, we are coming!

Great catching up with you today and good luck with the rest of the season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: JoJuan Collins Twitter; No. 24 JoJuan Collins