Interview: College Camps Boosting 3-Star 2023 Alabama QB Christopher Vizzina Up Recruiting Boards
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The big-armed gunslinger in the pocket that can make all the throws, that’s what Briarwood Christian has executing their pro-style offense in Christopher Vizzina. The 6-4, 200-pound, gunslinger ripped 6A Alabama defenses last season for 2,013 yards tossing 15 touchdowns with one rushing score and has further impressed college scouts this summer with his talents. In addition to camping at an Elite 11 Regional, Vizzina has also spun it at Alabama, Clemson, Duke, Georgia and Notre Dame aiding in his scholarship tally jumping to 10 total ahead of his junior campaign.
For a detailed look at his offseason workouts, recruiting process, and college camp circuit, the three-star Class of 2023 QB stopped by the RNG Lab for an interview.
Interview
Christopher, you have an absolute gun for an arm with the ball coming out on a rope. When you wrapped your 2020 season, what did you feel were some of the other strengths to your game?
Throughout the season I feel that I got better as a complete quarterback. The mental side of my game improved a lot and I gained some weight; I gained 15 to 20 pounds. I was better fit to play. Throughout the season I became better at reading coverages and seeing the defenses. I was working with my quarterback coach throughout the season on that and with my arm stroke. He helped me with all that and it transferred onto the field.
Do you have a baseball background and/or do you work on a lot of off-platform throws and throwing on the run?
I used to play baseball but I stopped in middle school. I used to be big in it. We do off-platform stuff. I do work on that.
When you went into the offseason, what did you start working on with your footwork and lower half?
Everyone has always told me I have good footwork, especially for my size. To help with my footwork, I am doing ladder drills and stuff with my team. Ladder drills and going through the bags with footwork helps with a rush. We do blitz pickup drills in practice. The defense puts on a rush, someone will come free, then I have to get out and make a throw. I am doing lots of drills with ladders and the bags.
What did you start fine-tuning with your upper half?
I’ve always had a good quick motion, but it has not always come out as a spiral. My quarterback coach saw what I was doing wrong. After a couple of sessions, he saw that I was not on top of the ball and driving my elbow. This offseason I tested the stuff out with 7v7 and spring ball. I did everything after the season; you don’t want to change much during the season.
How have you approached the mental part of the game this spring and summer?
That is probably the biggest thing. I got better during the season reading defenses. My coaches really test me when we are watching film. They have me drawing up plays, going over my reads and doing my checks. I have been doing that this offseason. I have also been watching the old Jon Gruden film sessions, like the one with Jameis Winston. After getting him off topic, he has him flip the play testing him. I also watch other people’s film and film seeing different coverages.
What style of offense will the team execute this fall?
We are a pro-style. If you were to watch us, you’d probably think we are one of the most pro-style offenses in the country.
Did you get to compete at any national camps this offseason?
Yes, I was invited to the Rivals 5-Star Challenge, but I visited Notre Dame instead. I was excited for that one but I couldn’t pass visiting Notre Dame up. I was considered a Top 2023 performer at the Elite 11 back in May.
Have you competed at any college camps?
Yes, I camped at Alabama, Clemson, Duke, Georgia, and Notre Dame.
How did the Alabama camp go?
It was really good. They see me as one of the top quarterbacks in the country, and top in the state for my class. That was the first time they saw me in person.
Very cool. What were you able to showcase at the Alabama camp?
We went through one on ones, they got to see my footwork and me putting the ball in different places. Ball placement was big. Coach Bill O’Brien (OC/QB) put me in the group with the best quarterbacks there. It was me and five other kids. I got to compete with them the whole time. Coach Saban was watching us a lot.
And the Notre Dame camp, how did that go?
That went very well. I got a lot of one-on-one time with Coach (Tommy) Rees (OC/QB). Going into that camp, I had been building a really good relationship with him for a couple of months. I really like him. He is young and easy to connect with.
Are there any other camps coming up you may attend?
I am thinking about going to a Florida or Florida State camp. There are four days in July where you can go to a college camp, but I am not sure what I will do.
After all the camps, which college programs are showing interest but have not offered yet?
The biggest ones are Notre Dame, Clemson, Ole Miss, and Alabama.
How many offers are you holding?
Nine.
Which programs were the last couple to offer you?
It all happened in the last month, six of them did. The last three were Michigan State, Mississippi State, and Louisville.
*Oklahoma State offered after the interview was conducted
Vizzina’s Offer Sheet (10): Duke, Georgia Tech, Houston, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Troy, and UAB
Did you get to take any visits this summer?
Yes, at every camp I also did a visit. The other schools I visited were Wake Forest, Kentucky, Louisville, and Mississippi State.
Are there any upcoming visits you may take this summer or this fall?
There are a lot of places I really want to go to after talking to coaches: Florida, Florida State, Texas, and Ole Miss. I really want to visit Michigan State; I have an offer from them. With our schedule, I am not sure if I will make it to any of those schools but I hope to make it up to some for a game.
Christopher, it was great talking football with you today. Wishing you continued success preparing for the upcoming season and with any camp and/or visit you may take this month.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Photo credit: Vizzina family; Christopher Vizzina