One to Watch California: 2017 QB Sawyer May Poised for Recruiting Breakout in 2016

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

It happens every year in recruiting and every year talented players slip through the proverbial cracks with college coaches searching for an ideal over results. The deck maybe stacked against Arroyo Grande Class of 2017 quarterback Sawyer May but if May has proven anything with consistency and time he will win the day.

Without reference to anything else, if you were to find out that a quarterback guided his California high school team to a 10-3 record in 2014 as a sophomore and then to an 11-2 finish in 2015 as a junior, that would be pretty impressive. Adding to the win-loss column results, the sophomore stat line included 2,134 passing yards with 20 touchdowns against just three interceptions completing 163 of 258 pass attempts, or a 63 percentage completion rate. The consistency remained the same in the Arroyo Grande offense in 2015 when May hit 134 of 216 passes, a 62 percentage completion rate, compiling 2,125 passing yards with 20 touchdowns tossed against just one pick.

Everything adds up to a can’t miss kind of recruit but it seems that due to May’s 5’11”, 188 pound, measurables, college coaches have been slow to jump on his talents with offers being extended. Just wait, it is sure to happen. May picked up second team Pac-5 All-League honors, first team All-Area, and first team All-County in his sophomore season and is poised to show off his abilities during the offseason one-day college camp circuit with another year left to shine with the Eagles.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with May to go over his progression on the field as a quarterback, his offseason camp schedule, and got an update on his recruitment thus far.

Interview

Sawyer, before we get too deep into everything, I saw that you had a 99-yard touchdown pass. Is that right?

“Yes.”

There are Hall of Fame quarterbacks that have never thrown a 99-yard touchdown pass. Walk me through how the play came to be for you.

“It was against Independence (Bakersfield). We run a Pistol offense. We knew that the corner was going to jump the route. (Class of 2016) Bradley Mickey (San Louis Obispo) was lined up on the outside. He did a double-move, faked out and then went up. The safety ran into the corner and we went 99 yards. I think the exact distance they measured the play at was 99 yards 7/8.”

Exciting stuff. For you on the field, you’ve been consistent with your play. How has your game improved from your sophomore season to the end of your junior year?

“The transition from sophomore to junior, I became more poised and I was able to read the defenses easier. I got so much better at reading defenses, it made the game so much easier. My footwork got better as did my arm strength.”

What are you focusing on improving with your offseason workouts?

“Right now about I’m focused on increasing my speed and gaining weight. I’m adding mass and building my strength. Those are things I can work on, I can’t work on my height. Getting stronger and faster are my main goals at the moment. I’m lifting twice a day. My first session starts at 6:00 a.m.”

What early gains have you noticed with your offseason workouts?

“I have noticed that I’ve lost fat, leaned up, and I’ve started going up in weight while gaining mass. I’m on a diet program too. The diet and all the training has helped with my overall health and I’ve gotten stronger. My balance has improved a lot too.”

We talked about some of the areas that you got better at from your sophomore to junior year, but what areas of your game would you consider your strengths?

“I think my biggest strength is taking care of the football. I have only thrown four interceptions in two years. That’s the biggest thing. That comes with consistency. I also think I’m the most competitive guy out on the field. On the field, as team captain, I can control my emotions well. I can amp the guys up while keeping calm and composed. My ability to read defenses better has allowed our offense to click better. Coach opened up the playbook more and has let loose a little more with our offense.”

What are your goals for the 2016 football season?

“I’d say, just because I have not won a CIF championship yet, that’s my main goal. We’ve come close the past two seasons. I don’t have personal goals with yards and touchdowns, that does not matter to me that much. It’s really all about whatever I can do to help my team win. That’s the main goal.”

You have five rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons, will you take on a bigger role in the offense during your senior year with the ground game?

“Yes. I’m going to start running the ball more, that’s why I’m adding weight and speed. I can threaten the defense with both my arm and my legs next year. It will help keep defenses honest when they line up against us.”

Did you go to any college camps during the 2015 offseason?

“Yeah, I went to a Stanford one-day camp and I also went to a Univ. of San Diego camp. They were showing interest in me but the guy that was recruiting me is no longer there so I have not talked to them lately.”

Do you have an idea about which camps you’ll attend this offseason?

“I’ll go to one of the Nike camps, probably in LA or Oakland. Right now we have not picked any college camps. I won’t pick the college camps until after basketball.”

How is basketball going for you?

“It’s going okay.”

I like to find out about the classroom. Do you have a GPA you don’t mind sharing?

“My overall GPA is 4.03 on a weight scale. Last semester I had a 4.43.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I take the ACT on March 5. I have not signed up for the SAT yet.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I’d have to say the hard work that it takes to be successful. There is something about it that makes you want to come back. I miss going out there for 3-4 hours every day practicing with your teammates and with the coaches knowing all that hard work will pay off in the end.”

Sawyer, thanks for your time today and good luck with your offseason workouts and the camp circuit.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: santamarinatimes.com; No. 12 Sawyer May gets the ball out avoiding the sack.

Photo credit: sanlouisobispo.com; No. 12 Sawyer May looks for an open receiver.