Interview: Rising Versatile 2-Star 2021 California OL Eutimio Peña Updates Workouts
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
To say that Class of 2021 guard/center Eutimio “Timmy” Peña is all heart and determination is doing a disservice to his skills and dedication to the game. The 5-10, 260-pound, versatile lineman is a student of the game and has a nasty streak that wears out defensive linemen and linebackers for four quarters. Watching the El Diamante talent in the trenches, he works his hands inside, plays with quickness, and stacks up the pancakes like a short order cook. The tenacity Peña brings to the field helped him earn second team All-West Yosemite League honors as a junior and offers from Concordia, Allegheny, Puget Sound, and Whittier College.
With California high school football players patiently awaiting the start of the 2020 season in January, Peña took time from his offseason workouts to update us on his growing skills and recruitment.
Interview
Timmy, there is a toughness and attitude that comes through on your game reel that quarterbacks and running back love from their linemen. What lights that proverbial fire in you come Friday night to get after it in the trenches the way you do?
For me, it all has to do with my life story. I never played football until my freshman year. Coming in, I was not very big. I was told by a lot of people you are too small, play football will be too hard for you. I take what those people told me, and I have to prove them wrong. I could retreat and not perform, but I have to fight for everything. That sparks me to get after it in games. We want to win, and I want to help my team win.
Where all were you lining up on the offensive line last season?
Last year, most of the season I was at left guard, which is a really good position for me. With Caleb Walker next to me, we communicated well. Going into the last game of the 2019 season, our center was hurt. I played center my sophomore year, so they moved me to center for the last game.
Showing off the versatility. I like it. What style of offense were you guys executing?
We do a no-huddle offense getting back on the line as fast as possible after the play and explode again. We try to be balanced with the pass and run. For us, it is all about the tempo and making the other team uncomfortable.
All players go up against a scheme and/or player that may present a challenge. What was one challenge you faced on the field last season?
If there was a challenge I faced, there was one defensive lineman that was a challenge. He was pretty good, he knew how to hit, and had a great get-off. The first few snaps against him were rough.
How did you overcome that challenge becoming a better football player?
We have an iPad on the sideline. I watched the first series and I dialed in from there. On the next series, I went out with the same attitude he had and exploded on the snap taking it to him. That’s when the pancakes started. He gave me good competition, and he helped me grow. After that, I was able to step on the field ready to hit someone coming off the line. I learned about not being too patient and about always going 100 miles per hour.
You do a great job of getting your hands inside on linemen finishing the play with a pancake. At the end of last season, what were some of the other strengths to your skillset?
I’d say my communication. I took it upon myself to communicate with the entire offensive line helping my linemen with plays. My speed, my get-off, and my push into my guy are strengths. I’ve always had more power in my legs, that is genetics. I got lucky. After the season, I’ve been pushing for a 500-pound squat.
What are some of the technical parts to your skills that standout?
Our coach helped us a lot with our pass pro last season. During my sophomore year, I would catch the defenders instead of hitting them. On my film, hopefully, coaches notice the differences especially against the blitz. Against the blitz, I am standing my ground and pushing them out. My pulling was good, and I’ve added more power moving people around. Getting to the second level has always been a strength.
Over the spring and summer months, how have you added more power to your talents?
When quarantine first hit, there is a church next to where Caleb and I live. They have a sand pit. We’d go to the sand pit working with cones and we focused on our offensive line drills; kick steps, movement, and breaking down. We did defensive line stuff too just in case. We had a harness we’d put on our leg, Using the harness, we would do kick steps with someone holding the harness making it harder. On the field we did agility drills and we’d run up the hill and do ladder drills up the hill. We started weight lifting with one of our other teammates to get stronger.
What style of offense will you guys run once the new season gets going?
The same thing as last season. We want to push the tempo and make the other team uncomfortable gassing them out. We want to make the fourth quarter our quarter.
Where will we see you on the field?
We’ve talked about this, our center may play linebacker, so I may be at center this season. I may also play left or right guard. Whatever they may need me to do, I will do.
This fall, what is the practice schedule for the Miners?
On Oct. 5 we start conditioning. Then we go through phases to get ready for the season following COVID guidelines. Looking at the NFL, it looks like there are some injuries from the players not being physically prepared. We will focus on injury prevention and getting in shape.
Let’s get into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
Taber College, I have been talking to their coach a lot and texting back and forth. Hiram is communicating a lot with me and Ripon College. They may offer after my application for admission is accepted. There are some others like Luther College who are waiting on my application to be accepted. The recruiting process is going well.
How many offers do you have?
I have four offers. My first was Whitter then Allegheny, Puget Sound, and Concordia in Wisconsin offered.
Did you get any virtual visits in this summer?
Yes, I took a few. I did one with Ripon, a one-on-one with the offensive line coach from Hiram, and one with Rhodes (TN).
Are there any planned in-person visits ahead for you?
Yes, I have one with Taber coming up. They have talked to Caleb, Mitch and I about having all three of us visit when they are open. Right now, that is the only visit that has kind of been set. I have been invited to Concordia; one of their coaches is supposed to make an in-home visit. I’ve been invited to a lot of schools, but most are out of state. It is hard to make some of these visits.
Visits are not cheap. Timmy, sounds like everything is going your way. Keep up the hard work this offseason and good luck with the rising recruiting process.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Peña family; Eutimio Peña