Interview: Starting 2024 Florida QB Tyler Aronson Lands Offer from FAU
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Quality depth on any football roster can be the difference in fielding a tough-competitive team or getting walked out of the stadium. For The Benjamin School, the talent was on the roster when their starting quarterback switched schools leaving the Palm Beach Gardens area for Jacksonville, even in a Class of 2024 player. The Buccaneers gave the pigskin to Tyler Aronson receiving his all in return. In a one-game stat line snapshot of their six-game season, the 6-2, 200-pound, quarterback completed 10 of 11 passes for 187 yards with two scores. The upside and talent has brought in an offer from Florida Atlantic with East Coast interest rising.
In an RNG catch-up interview, Aronson stopped by the Lab covering ground on his freshman season with insight on receiving his first offer from FAU.
*Click link for Aug. 2020 RNG interview with Tyler Aronson
Interview
Tyler, we may need to see some identification with you based on some of the throws on your game reel. Are you sure you are not a freshman in college instead of a freshman in high school?
(Laughs) Yes, sir. I am positive.
You were uncorking it during the season and lacing them all over the field. Kind of a silly question, but have you always had that kind of arm strength or did that just come on in the last year or two as your body has matured?
I think I have always had a very strong arm compared to competition. Over the offseason, I did a great job in weight room and on the field preparing myself. That helped during the season. I have always had a strong arm for my age, and I got to show it this year even in the shortened six-game season. I have things I can get better at, but I did well this year. There is a lot of upside from the season.
Last we talked in August; you were preparing to be the starter at the JV level. At what point did you learn that not only you were going to play for the Bucs during your freshman season but that you’d be a starter?
Back in February of 2020 I had an idea I might be the starter. Santino transferred to a school in Jacksonville. I was really happy. I was all smiles.
Guessing the speed of the game, the speed of the rush and the routes of your receivers were all something that took a little time to adjust to. When did the game start to slow down and/or things start to click for you at the varsity level in 2020?
I think after the first game. I started seeing through things and it started to slow down. At the beginning I was not adjusting quickly enough in that first game. I did what I do, but then I sped it up. I did the same reads and played smart but sped it up. It just got easier as the season went on.
Looks like you were running a Spread offense with the Bucs during the 2020 season. How were opposing Florida 3A defenses trying to play you throughout the year?
A lot of Cover 2 and some Cover 1. We did a lot of middle posts and had success. We had success on seams and comebacks too. Some teams played Cover 3 against us. It all depended on the talent they had back there at DB.
You just listed out a few, going deeper. Which routes were you connecting on within the scheme?
I connected well with the middle posts from the slot and I had a good relationship on the comeback with my receivers. The fades were working well and the seams. Slants and corners were working really well. The smash, that is always one of my favorites.
Through the six-game schedule, which areas of your game saw the most improvement?
I think it was pretty even. In my second game I did a lot better. That first game, the speed really surprised me to be honest. That was a big jump from Pop Warner to going against seniors. They are faster and more physical.
As the season went on, I learned as much as I could and soaked up as much as I could from my coaches. My coach did a great job of helping me. I faced the adversity, and wasn’t happy with my performance in that first game. I was rushing some reads, but I absolutely did a much better job after that game.
With your fundamentals and technique, what have you been working on so far this offseason?
I have been working on being better with my hips and ankles laterally and my movement in the pocket. My workouts are helping me loosen up my hips more. I am working in the weight room on getting faster and stronger. I want to do a better job in the pocket this season, and that starts with better hip mobility.
Are there any camps, 7v7 tournaments, or big events coming up for you where you’ll get to showcase the skills against even more top national talent?
My team is going to play in a tournament in Philadelphia next weekend and we are going to The Battle of New Orleans. I think we are also playing in Tucson coming up and a Pylon tournament in Orlando as well. I am looking forward to showing everyone what I can do.
Going into recruiting. After getting the starting nod as a freshman going against top Florida defenses, which schools are now showing interest?
I am getting a little bit from Florida, Miami, and Florida State. As the spring gets going, everything will pick up and fall into place. I am also receiving some interest from Maryland and Penn State. I am looking forward to coaches coming down in the spring if things are normal.
Let’s talk the offer you have already received. Which school offered you?
FAU (Florida Atlantic).
Congrats.
Thank you.
Receiving that first offer, what was that moment like for you?
It was honestly really awesome. I was at a friend’s house when I got the call. I was thinking is this really happening. You want it to happen and when it happens, I was at a loss of words. It was crazy. I will keep working hard and continue to stay humble and appreciative. The offer will not change me. I will keep playing to the best of my ability to show everyone what I can do. I can’t wait for these next three year of high school.
Tyler, it was great getting more time in with you today. Congratulations on the big varsity season and on receiving your first offer.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Aronson family; Tyler Aronson