Interview: Spring Season Rolling into College Camps for 2022 California QB Cole Tannenbaum
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
An unforeseen perk of the delayed 2020 high school football season in California, this summer quarterbacks will be in a quasi-midseason form when competing at college camps. With most teams wrapping their five-game schedule in April, the determined gunslingers can evaluate their film tweaking flaws before they head off across the country to impress next level coaches. Class of 2022 Oaks Christian standout Cole Tannenbaum is taking full advantage of the situation.
A backup role during Tannenbaum’s sophomore season with the Lions turned into the focal point of the team’s offense in 2020. The 6-4, 210-pound, QB got into his groove showcasing his smooth stroke, live arm, and ability to maneuver in and out of the pocket with his eyes downfield delivering the rock to his playmakers. Tannenbaum completed 56 passes for 803 yards with nine scores executing the team’s mix between a Spread and pro-style set.
The highlight reel is beginning to make the rounds with interest coming in from Ivy League and Mountain West programs. Taking the game to the college coaches, Tannenbaum has a college camp circuit planned that will stretch from the west coast to Texas and Chicago and on out to the east coast.
Interview
Cole, you were part of a very deep QB room during the 2019 season playing behind three-star 2021 quarterback Jameson Wang. How did the in-game snaps coupled with the mental reps during your sophomore season help you during the 2020 schedule when you took control of the Lions’ offense?
Great question. Learning from older guys like Jameson Wang was helpful. Watching him, learning from his mistakes and the good things he did, I try to take the best of what I saw and put it into my game.
What offensive system do you guys execute?
We usually run a Spread offense. We have some pro-style plays, but mostly we run a Spread. This season we threw a lot, sideline to sideline and downfield. It is a basic yet efficient offense.
What are some of the routes your receivers run?
We run all types of routes, short routes like slants, quick outs, and hitches. But we also have deep-posts, corners, and goes. Our receivers can run all types of routes.
How did you prepare physically over the offseason to win the starting quarterback spot at Oaks Christian?
Last year, during the offseason my biggest thing was to get bigger and stronger, more physical and tougher. I increased my arm strength, and I am now throwing it further. I worked on my leadership and my understanding of the game. This season I was able to read defenses better.
Which areas of your game showed the most growth during the five-game schedule?
My ability to lead the team was a big thing that showed during the season. Being the quarterback, everyone looks to you knowing what to do. I feel like I was fitting it into tighter windows and I was letting the receiver run the route before throwing it to him. I was able to get it to them because of my arm strength. This season I was able to make harder throws.
What are you working on with your fundamentals this spring?
Mostly footwork. I have to get faster, more athletic, and more mobile. I will never be like Lamar Jackson, but I will need get the first down when need it and move around in the pocket getting the ball downfield. Getting faster and quicker feet are my big things this offseason.
From a mental approach, how are you taking your game to that next level understanding more of the game this offseason?
With my coaches at school, I am watching a lot of film. We are already looking at our opponents for this season. We are going over what will work, how to beat coverages, and audibles to go into. I love watching film. It is so helpful during the game, because you have seen it already and you know how to beat it.
How are you getting the players together already building that chemistry for a great 2021 season?
We are starting to workout, not directly as a team but we are working on routes. All of us are getting faster, and we are trying to hang out as a team to bond and get that chemistry going. It should be a good year next year.
Are there any camps coming up you may go compete at this summer?
There are a few this summer. I am going to a showcase in Dallas at SMU in early June. There is a QB camp this weekend and there is a camp at Tufts; that is in late June. There are a few showcases in between.
You mentioned the SMU mega camp, are there any other college camps you may attend?
While on east coast I am going to a camp at Yale and I am also going to one at Northwestern.
Ahead of all the college camps, which programs are showing interest?
I am talking to a few guys from Yale, Columbia is showing interest, and so is Fresno State.
Separate from all the camps, are there any visits you may take this summer?
While on east coast I want to visit Penn State; that is a dream of mine. I will probably look around California for some visits too. I live next to UCLA, I am always visiting there. That would also be a dream.
Cole, I appreciate your time today. Wishing you success preparing for the upcoming college camps.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Tannenbaum family; Cole Tannenbaum