Interview: High Expectations Surround 2022 California RB/OLB Hunter Roddy

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

It is his own doing, and off great accomplishments, but now the expectations are extremely high going forward for Hunter Roddy. The rising Chaparral High School star turned in a great sophomore season a year ago proving he was a two-way standout worthy of collegiate attention.

The 6-0, 210-pound, athlete was unleashed by the Pumas’ staff after a forced five-game CIF transfer rule sit out. From there, Roddy carried the rock 128 times for 858 yards with 16 touchdowns and pulled in four passes for 18 more yards in six games. Playing outside backer in the team’s 4-3 scheme, he compiled 36 tackles with a tackle for a loss and a pass broken up. In addition to earning first team All-League honors and being voted team MVP by his peers, Roddy put in the time needed with the books to carry a 4.0 GPA. His on the field and in the classroom success has brought early recruiting interest from Boise State, Air Force and Navy.

In his first visit with RNG, Roddy details his breakout sophomore campaign with an update on his offseason workouts.

Interview

Hunter, you had a big season going both ways for the Pumas. Before the 2019 season began, did you expect to have such a big impact for your team as a two-way player?

“Not as big as it became. The coaches were talking about getting me the ball and letting me do what I do. I have confidence in myself but I was not expecting that big of an outbreak.”

The physical toll taken as a hard-nosed running back and linebacker had to be exhausting. How did you take care of your body during the season besides take up all the ice in Temecula?

(Laughs) “The ice part is accurate. I did a lot of stretching and being careful. My groin was strained after the first game. Knowing what was coming up and all the we had to go, through the bumps and bruises, I was keeping my body safe. All in all, I saw the training room a lot to get whatever treatment I could get.”

What offensive set were you guys running in 2019?

“Two tight ends running inside zone plays constantly. During the Great Oak game, I got 40 carries because the backup running back got hurt. That gave me more carries which resulted in seven touchdowns. We had a big tight end set; we had a lot of good offensive linemen last year.”

You touched on this a second ago, how did the OC get the ball into your hands?

“Inside zone, and a couple of times they said we need you to spread it out; they put me in the slot. I would run a hitch, catch the ball and do my thing. If the offensive line and I were gaining yards, he kept on feeding it to us.”

In which ways did your game improve?

“The physicality improved a lot. Our defensive coordinator last year was also the weight lifting coach. He got me stronger, I was able to take a beating. I improved making sure I did not go down without a fight. My breakaway speed improved a lot as well. I did a lot of speed training with him. If I saw green, I was breaking away.”

On defense, what schemes were you guys executing and what were your roles?

“We were doing a 4-3, our base was Cover 4. Usually I was the weakside backer; they tried to limit my hits. That did bum me out even though I understood, I always want to be in the action.”

How did that part of your game improve?

“It was kind of weird, my freshman year I did not play linebacker, on varsity I was at receiver or some getting some reps in at running back. I had to relearn how to be physical with offensive linemen last year. But the overall game improvement increased, I had to relearn the game again.”

When 2020 kicks off, what roles are you taking on?

“This upcoming season, they were talking using me like Christian McCaffery as a running back and in the slot. On defense I will be at free safety.”

So, with all that you have going on this season what all are you working on?

“I am trying to get faster and stronger and work more on my agility so when I go to cut I can get out of my breaks faster.”

What has been your daily routine this spring?

“I wake up as early as I can, recently my coaches have invited me to workout at his house, and I go to the park nearby to work on speed doing drills. Before that, I would go out on my street. My dad marked off 40 yards for me. I would sprint several times and then lift; a two-hour workout every time.”

My virus buster question. What have you been doing for fun during all this extra downtime?

“One or two friends of mine and I get together running some routes. We go out on the street and we are working out. If I stay in the house too long, I can’t do it. I have a basketball hoop; I will shoot for an hour to do something athletic. With the family, we are playing board games and that type of stuff. Normally we never get to do that because everyone is always busy, that has been fun to do.”

Hunter, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your workouts this spring.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Lisa Jacobsen; Hunter Roddy in action (2019)