Interview: Breakout Season in the Works for 2023 California QB Drew Cowart
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Given a full season to work his craft, the 2021 campaign for quarterback Drew Cowart is setting up as a breakout opportunity. The 6-2, 185-pound, field general got to sling it in five games during the 2020 season against California defenses covering 712 yards with four touchdowns while rushing for 98 yards. When Cowart’s Oak Ridge team takes the field this fall, they will be operating a new offense under a new head coach building excitement among the fanbase.
For insight on how Cowart is preparing for his junior season, he stopped by the RNG Lab for a first-look interview.
Interview
Drew, what style of offense were you executing with the Trojans during the 2020 season?
A Spread offense. But unlike most Spreads, we run the ball about 75 percent of the time. We run a lot with a short game; there’s not a lot of shots taken downfield. With our offense, we want to take up time. We ran a slow tempo in a no-huddle. We are okay getting to third down to get the first down, and work our way downfield.
You have the big arm and were going through your progressions, what were some of the other traits to your game that helped you move the chains with the Spread attack?
I was very smart knowing when to tuck and run and when not to force throws. On third and short, I can get it with my feet. I can make guys miss and get it that way. I was quick with my decision making. Last season, I was hitting the short route for a first. I feel that helped us get first downs and keep the ball moving.
Going into the offseason, what were the key things you wanted to clean up with your mechanics?
Some little things, like not dipping the ball, my front arm, and keeping compact and fluid. Instead of something that could ruin my mechanics, I have just improved on it. I have been working on faster feet and making quicker decisions. From freshman to varsity football, the speed of the game was insanely quicker. I had to work on my decision making. I have been working on that to improve it even more for this next season.
Have you been working with a quarterback coach?
Yes, I have been working with Danny Hernandez.
What have you been working on with Coach Danny?
With Danny, a lot with my front arm. He is big on helping me fix that and with my twitchy athletic movements. He has helped so much with that. I am looking more like an athlete, and not so mechanical. I am being loose and confident.
With your footwork, where are you noticing the improvements in your technique?
The ball is spinning a lot better as I speed up my feet. It comes out more powerful, nicer, and it is going further. I am getting more of my legs in the throw. I have been working on my twitchy movements, like making defensive linemen miss. Coach Danny has helped a lot with that as well.
Tying that into your throwing motion, where are you seeing the fluid changes in your release?
My release is way cleaner, more like a quarterback. It is quicker instead of dipping a little bit. I am getting it out quicker instead of having a longer motion.
This summer, have you been to any college camps to showcase the skills?
Yes, I went to a BYU camp. We have a new head coach; I can’t miss practice to go to camps. That was the one camp that fit my schedule. It was super good. They showed a lot of interest in me. I was throwing well and delivering it. I felt very confident out there, which is good. They invited me on an unofficial afterwards. They said that after this season, if I have a good one, they want to offer.
Very cool. With that, which schools are showing interest in you ahead of the season?
BYU, Virginia, San Jose State, and Nevada a little bit.
Are there any upcoming visits you may take?
Nevada has reached out, but I can’t miss practices to go visit them.
Understood. Drew, thanks for your time today catching us up on your offseason workouts.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Cowart family; Drew Cowart