Maturation of Highland’s cornerback leading to heavy recruiting interest

Exclusive interview with Highland High School’s Jalen Logan

 

Every football coach wants their players to take the field with intensity, fire, and passion. For Highland High School’s Jalen Logan that passion was a chip on his shoulder looking to prove the football world wrong, and he did just that.

Tight coverage, pass breakups, and interceptions testified the 5’7”, 180 pound, cornerback could play the game at a high level but excessive post-play self celebration has raised a caution flag with college recruiters on the promising talent.

How can anyone blame the Palmdale native for letting out a primal scream, a barbaric yelp, or an outward display of gratification after a big play? After all at 5’7” opposing football coaches only see size as a weakness choosing to pick on the Bulldogs cornerback.

If returning champions at any level can bemoan having a target on their backs the following year crying about how difficult repeating can be, imagine being a constant target on the football field. Logan did not let the targeting bring him down. Little did Golden League coaches know they were only setting their teams up for failure.

Time and time again Logan rose to the challenge tying Highland’s all-time single season interception record picking off seven passes, returning one to the house 65 yards for a touchdown, while breaking up four passes.

Still think coaches were not targeting Logan? The emerging talent tallied 65 total tackles in 10 games, from the cornerback position.

When all was said and done Logan was honored at the end of the 2013 season as First-Team All Defense All League and All-Valley First-Team.

Jalen Logan sat down for a one-on-one interview discussing recruiting, offseason workouts, and team play over individual notoriety.

 

You had a very successful individual season in 2013, did college recruiters take notice?

“Yes, Fresno State, Colorado State, UTEP, University of San Diego, New Mexico, NAU, San Diego State, Boise State, Washington State, and Oklahoma have all come by to talk with me and have asked for my contact info.”

What are your strengths on the field?

“My strengths are attacking the ball, open field tackling, and making a play on the ball in the air. I have pretty good strength to jam the receivers. Good recovery speed too.”

When speaking with college coaches what evaluation have they given you about your abilities?

“They told me they like my film, they like how I make a play on the ball. They did tell me instead of celebrating by myself after a big play I should celebrate more with my team.”

How did you take the tone down celebration comments?

“I agree with the coaches. When I look back on my film I see it. Some colleges don’t like it. This is a team sport and I should celebrate it that way.”

Do you have a list of favorite schools?

“I grew up following USC. Out of the schools that have contacted me Fresno State and Oklahoma are my top two schools at this time.”

What are the main factors you will consider in choosing a college?

“Playing time is my main factor. Location is not a problem. I don’t care if I play in California or not. If the team is good enough to win a bowl is also a factor.”

What schools are you still pursuing that haven’t offered you yet?

“I’ve signed up for USC, San Jose State, and Fresno State camps, would like to get offers from those schools. I’m also signed up for San Diego and San Diego State camps.”

Highland finished last season 6-4, how does the team look in offseason workouts?

“We’re looking pretty good on both sides of the ball. Our defense is solid. I think better than last year, and we were good last year. Our offense has improved a lot in the offseason.”

What does the team need to do as a unit to have a better season in 2014?

“We need to gain more discipline and play more as a team not as individuals. We need to execute on both sides of the ball and up our effort on both sides of the ball.”

How do you think the team will finish overall?

“I think we can go undefeated in league, but overall maybe one loss but we’re looking to go undefeated.”

What type of defense do the Bulldogs run?

“We run a 4-3.”

What type of coverage does the secondary run?

“We’re mostly in Cover 3 and switch to Cover 2. We’re not in man coverage that much.”

How will your role change in 2014 compared to 2013?

“Last year I was quiet as a team leader and celebrated too much individually. I was immature. This year I have to be more of a leader, most of the players are looking up to me as a leader on the team.”

What are your thoughts on your individual performance in 2013?

“Think I did pretty good, better than what I was expected to do. 2013 was my first year as a starter on varsity. At the start of the year all the teams picked on me a lot. I made them pay. Every team that picked on me I had an interception against them. By the seventh or eighth game of the season no one passed on my side.”

What are your personal goals for 2014?

“Break the school record for interceptions. Last year I tied the school record, this year I want to break it. I want to be First-Team All CIF and help my team go deep into the playoffs and hopefully win a championship.”

What are you doing in the offseason to help you attain your goals?

“My teammates and I are working out in the mountains doing drills. In the summer I’m working with one of my track coaches on speed and strength.”

What events in track do you participate in and what are your best times?

“I compete in the 100 meter, 200 meter, 4×1, and 4×4. In the 100 meter my best time is 11.6, in the 200 meter 24.0. I run the first leg in the 4×1 and second or third leg in the 4×4.”

What NFL player do you model your game after?

Tyrann Mathieu (LSU, Arizona Cardinals). He’s undersized in the league (5’9”, 186 lbs), I can relate to that. He believes he can cover the best wide receivers in the game and so do I.”

Photo credit: Hudl.com; No. 21 Jalen Logan