Interview: All are Ready to See 3-Star 2022 California Shea Kuykendall Rip It with Poly

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

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If one lives in Southern California and is in the high school football community, then you are well aware of Shea Kuykendall. Also, if you are part of the aforementioned demographic you have been waiting to see Kuykendall tear it up with Long Beach Poly during the 2020 season for way too long.

The 6-2, 198-pound, three-star gunslinger is ever-present in California at camps, 7v7, and playing club ball always ready to compete against the best of the best and never giving an inch. As his body and game matures, he is evolving into one of California’s best in the 2020 recruiting class.

With an offer on the table from William & Mary, college programs are ready to see Kuykendall’s skills in action on the California gridiron this season. For an update on his offseason workouts  and competitive outings, he stopped by the RNG Lab for another one-on-one interview.

*Click link for Shea Kuykendall’s Dec. 2020 RNG video interview

**Click link for Shea Kuykendall’s QB Hit List profile

Interview

Shea, you are one of the hardest working guys out there. If you will, update me on how your offseason workouts have gone overall?

They are going really well. I am trying to get in as many weightlifting and conditioning workouts at home as I can. I do a lot of training with my QB coaches as 3D QB.

From a technique and fundamentals look, what have you been tightening up preparing for the 2020 season?

Tightening up on the fundamentals and mechanics. I am keeping everything sound and working on keeping my front foot stride short. As a baseball player, I make it longer. I am also working on rotating my hips and disassociation of my upper and lower body to generate more power on my throws.

How have you been pushing your physical abilities this fall and winter?

I have been doing a lot of workouts that I got from XOs in Carson (CA). I got a lot of good workouts from them. You don’t need a lot of weights, and they are all QB workouts. All the workouts are focused on building quarterback specific muscles to better my game.

What have you been doing to push your understanding of the game forward?

I have been studying film, watching a lot of football, and I am always doing something involved with football. Film study has been very important for me. I have focused on defenses, learning what they are doing.

Are you playing 7v7 this offseason?

Yes, but I am also preparing to possibly play high school league games or another club season.

The March 11 on 11 padded league you may plan in, which league and where are the games?

They are calling it March Madness and the games are in Orange County.

Which team are you playing club ball with in March?

Long Beach Grind.

What style of offense will you be running?

A lot of Spread.

Getting that time playing padded ball against other high school players, where are you seeing the improvements in your skills?

My arm has felt a lot stronger and I am calmer playing against the great competition out there. I have felt more confident, and felt like I could make any throw on the field at any time.

When the 2020 season gets going with the Jackrabbits, what are you ready to showcase to the world after all this hard work poured into your game?

That I am one of the best QBs in my class and that my team is one of the best in the state and that we are ready to beat whoever we go up against.

Let’s close getting into recruiting. From our many talks, I know you have an offer from William & Mary, which schools are showing recruiting interest?

I am receiving a lot of interest from Yale, San Diego State, Utah, all the Ivy Leagues, UCLA, Bowling Green, and Eastern Washington.

Are you getting your club ball tape out yet?

Yes, I am sending a lot out today.

When the campuses open back up, are there any programs you’d like to visit?

Definitely, I want to visit Eastern Washington, Yale and all the Ivy League schools.

Shea, it is always great getting time in with you. Wishing you the best of luck with your 7v7 and padded club ball until the season begins.

Thank you.

Kuykendall’s Academic Achievements: 4.2 GPA

Kuykendall’s 7v7 Team: Premium

Kuykendall’s Camp Appearances: Elite 11 regional, Las Vegas QB Throwdown Top Performer, Elite Underclassmen Showcase, UA All American Camp

Kuykendall’s Recruiting Acknowledgements: CalHi Sports Hot 100 in 2022, Top So Cal QBs List Prep Redzone, Top 40 QBs SB Live, Top 100 list 24/7 Sports, HS Football Guru Favorite in Class 2022 (2018 and 2019) No. 18 in the nation College Football Today, and No. 21 QB in class Elite Prospects

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Photo credit: 562Sports/Kuykendall family; Shea Kuykendall