Interview: Overlooked 2019 California WR Robbie Colenzo Updates Season and Recruiting

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Every football team, at all levels, needs a player like Robbie Colenzo on their team. Most high school football teams have physically gifted players that meet prototypical sizes desired by college coaches, but few of those players, when you get down to it, have the passion, work ethic, or heart for the game like Colenzo. Despite his 5-7, 155-pound, frame the Warren High School speedster is a next level talent college coaches are overlooking.

With Class of 2019 quarterback Chris Venegas slinging the rock around the yard, Colenzo had a breakthrough season as a junior pulling in 43 passes for 752 yards with eight touchdowns in 10 games. He also showed his game-changing speed on special teams where he returned 23 kicks for 457 yards. Showing his team-first mentality and overall athleticism, Colenzo also helped out on defense playing nickelback coming up with 19 stops, four sacks, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.

The Bears have played a tough schedule in 2018, but that has not stopped the offense from lighting up the scoreboard game after game. As a team, the Bears are averaging 267 passing yards per game and 42 points with Colenzo leading the squad in receptions with 27 while filling up the stat sheet with 385 yards and five trips into the end zone. He is back at it on special teams with 177 kick return yards on nine attempts with four punts taken back the other way for 69 more all-purpose yards.

As one might expect, most college coaches have passed on Colenzo for now because of his height, and his height alone. The speed, productivity, and want-to are there along with his work in the classroom where he carries a 3.0 GPA and scored an 1110 on the SAT.

In a Recruiting News Guru in-depth catch-up interview, I spent some time with Colenzo learning more about his growing skillset and his recruiting process through the first seven games of his senior year.

*Click link for June 28, 2018, RNG video interview with Robbie Colenzo

Interview

Robbie, the Bears have been battling this season losing three games by a total of 10 points. I am guessing few teams are going to want to see you guys in the playoffs. What is the mindset of the team this year allowing the team to play together so well?

“This year we are together, we are a family. In those three games, I don’t think they were better than us but we got beat by ourselves on the little details. We feel we can beat anyone when we are playing as one.”

You have been filling up the stat sheet at receiver this year, what is working for you on the field allowing you to be so productive?

“I’ve been watching a lot of film on defenses this year. We are taking what they are giving us. We are going into the open areas and making plays after the catch.”

Where are you showing the most improvement in your game during your senior year?

“I am using my size as my advantage. As a small receiver, I can easily get past linebackers. My hands have improved a lot. I have less drops this year; I only have three drops this season. I am getting out of my breaks, staying low and accelerating.”

How are teams trying to cover you or stop you?

“Most of the teams are in a nickel package against me or they have a corner on me with safety over the top.”

The Bears just had a tough match-up against a very talented Paramount team (lost 24-21), how did that game go for you personally?

“It went really well. That was one of my best games this season. My quarterback, Chris Venegas, was able to get me the ball. Unfortunately, we came up short against them.”

About how many receiving yards did you have against Paramount?

“I think I had 145 yards.”

Nice. You guys welcome Gahr (3-4) to the field on Friday, what are you expecting from the Gladiators defense?

“Their defense will play a lot of man and two high. Their defensive line does a lot of switching and stunts to try to confuse offensive lines, but we are prepared to counter what they will give us.”

Before the season began you were receiving interest from UCLA, Washington State, and Weber State. Which new schools are showing interest in you now?

“I am receiving more interest from UCLA. Fresno State is showing interest, I am receiving more contact from Weber State, Cal-Poly and Boise State as well.”

You have the walk-on offer from Utah, have you received any other offers since we last spoke?

“Yes. I have received a walk-on offer from UCLA.”

Do you have any planned visits upcoming?

“After the season, I am meeting up with the UCLA and Utah coaches to go over everything. That is all that is planned as of right now.”

Robbie, you obviously have the talent and skill to play at the next level or Utah would not have offered you a walk-on spot so early in the process like they did. What are all the other college programs in the country missing out on in the student-athlete that you are?

“I believe the colleges are missing out on someone who has worked three times harder than everyone else – I have had to because of my size. I am humble, reliable, well-respected by my coaches, teammates, and classmates, and I am a good student.”

Tough last question for you. We are halfway through the college football season. Which four teams do you think will make the College Football Playoff?

“I think Alabama, Clemson, Florida, and Washington will make the playoffs as of right now.”

Robbie, great catching up with you today. Good luck against Gahr this week.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Warren High School; Robbie Colenzo stiff-arm