Interview: Big Senior Season Ahead for 4-Star 2021 Sierra Canyon OL/DL Elijah Christian
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
All senior seasons are special, but a final run through the schedule is more important to some over others. All want to go out with a “bang” capturing conference and state titles while adding a ring to their collection. All that and then some holds true for Class of 2021 offensive/defensive lineman Elijah Christian, but he needs the 2020 season a little more than those in his peer group. Christian did not get a full season in during the 2019 campaign, but flashed enough of the goods to grab two offers and a boat load of college programs’ attention. At 6-2.5, 335-pounds, the four-star (NCSA) Sierra Canyon High School standout has college programs debating internally on which side of the ball he is better suited at in 2021. All sets up for a big senior year to pull in more offers and settle the debate on which side of the ball may better suit Christian at the collegiate level.
In an RNG first-look, Christian takes a break from his offseason workouts to update us on his growing recruiting process.
Interview
Elijah, if I was a running back on your team, I know exactly who I’d want to run behind, but if I was a running back on the other team, I know who I do not want to run towards. You get after it going both ways playing with high-intensity. What motivates you to play at such a high level for four quarters every game?
(Laughs) The want to win and being able to put a smile on everyone’s face. Something in my heart pushes me to compete. Winning puts a smile on my face, I don’t like to lose so I always strive to win.
When the 2019 season ended, what did you feel were your strengths as an offensive lineman?
My aggression, my get-off, and my speed. In pass-pro, my punches were almost perfect for me, my stance – I need to get lower, but my firing off was good. I had a lot of aggression last season.
Even though it is not your primary position, and on defense, what were all the things you were doing well?
My aggression, my get-off, making sure I was pushing the center or guard back to the quarterback and making sure our linebackers could make the plays without interference.
How has playing both sides of the ball helped you with your football IQ and overall technique?
Being on defense helps me become more aggressive. Playing both ways helps me with my get-off and helps me stay low. Offense has taught me the same things and helps on picking up on tendencies because I was doing the same thing. If they are lining up at an angle, I know they are shooting towards a gap so I know to shoot to that gap. On defense, if they were trying to block down, I know to go at them a different way to stop them.
What roles are you taking on this season? Are you still playing both ways?
Yes, I am playing both ways, but they will use me more on defense this year. I am playing guard and nose guard this season.
What have you been working on with your game as a defender this offseason?
Speed. Since I am a big guy, a lot of big guys are slower than most. I have been working on my speed, conditioning, strength, and my weaknesses. Pulling, I need to get faster on that and landing blows on blocks.
What about with your game as an offensive lineman?
Getting all the plays down. Last year I had troubles with some of the plays. This offseason I have been going over all our pass plays. With my technique, I have been working on my pass-pro, getting my sets right, staying low, and working on my lower half to not get pushed back. I have also been attending workouts with Giant Skillz. They hold an invite only workout, I have been to all of them.
Staying with that last part, what have you been doing in the wight room or at home to add more power to your game?
Push-ups, sit-ups, benching, curls, squats – I am doing everything I can at home.
How have you worked on adding that speed?
By doing 10-yard sprints, distance sprints, cone drills, bag drills, jump rope, and ladders.
Last you got to max out, what did you get on bench?
My bench was 325 pounds on a 10-rep max.
Whoa. You bench pressed 325 on a 10-rep max?
Yes, sir.
Impressive.
Thank you.
Let’s cover ground on your recruiting. Which schools are showing interest going into your senior season?
I have talked to Columbia, they are waiting on my senior year, Jamestown, Harvard, Yale, Montana, Elmhurst, Kansas Wesleyan University Ithaca, Elmherst, Montana, University of San Diego, University of Cal Lutheran, Puget, Hobart University, Benedictine College, Dixie and Pennsylvania.
Which programs have offered?
Whittier and Allegheny (PA).
Before the campuses were shut down, did you get to take any unofficial visits?
I went on an East coast tour to Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Villanova, Penn, Brown and to a couple of other schools.
Very cool. What was that overall experience like for you getting to visit all those campuses on the east coast?
It was amazing, that is all I can say about it. I saw the school life at different colleges, saw different campuses, their weight rooms – the old and new and improved.
Have you taken any virtual visits this summer?
Yes, I have taken virtual visits with Columbia and Colby, and I have another one set with Pacific Lutheran.
Once the campuses open back up, are there any visits you’d like to take?
I’d love to visit Harvard, Yale, and some of the Ivy League schools. I would also like to visit Pacific Lutheran (PLU), Colby, and Oregon.
At which position are teams recruiting you to play?
They are recruiting me on both sides. PLU, they are talking to me about defense and Colby is talking about me playing offense.
What are college coaches telling you they like about your game?
That I am aggressive and hard-working, that I have a good get off, that I move my feet well, have a great stance, and that I am aggressive come game time.
Elijah, I appreciate your time today and wish you continued success this extended offseason preparing for you senior season.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Sierra Canyon HS/Christian family; No. 72 Elijah Christian (2019)