How Track Performance Influences College Football Coaches’ Decisions
High School Football Player’s Track Performance Sparks College Interest
In the competitive realm of high school sports, track and field can serve as a vital platform for football players seeking to capture the attention of college recruiters. A verified electronic time can quickly elevate a player’s profile, as demonstrated last week by AJ McBean, a 210-pound junior running back from Mira Costa High School. McBean clocked an impressive 100-meter dash time of 10.61 seconds, an early indication that he may improve even further as the season progresses. Following the announcement of his performance, he reported receiving numerous calls and text messages from interested recruiters.
“It meant a lot to me,” McBean stated. “It showed all the hard work I’ve done since football season ended. I played last season with an ankle injury. I had a couple weeks of rest, then was right back to the grind. I expected nothing less than that. The goal is to get to low 10.4, high 10.3.”
McBean is not alone in showcasing remarkable speed; Loyola defensive back Zion Phelps, in his first year of track, recorded a time of 10.79 seconds in the 100 meters. Meanwhile, Santa Margarita receiver Jacob Caragao clocked in at 10.81.
This Saturday, three football players from Sherman Notre Dame—sophomores Emmanuel Pullins and Noel Washington, along with junior Quincy Hearn—will participate in their first events at the Los Alamitos Invitational, aiming to demonstrate their own speed improvements. Notably, quarterback Wyatt Brown has chosen to focus on training for the 400 meters to enhance his speed ahead of the upcoming college football season instead of traveling to West Virginia.
While some football players dedicate time to travel for seven-on-seven competitions, others are attempting to balance both track and seven-on-seven commitments. For McBean, track has been pivotal in his speed development.
“In the offseason, a lot of people do the football program lifts,” he explained. “I like to go to track to get my speed up. It’s helped me since my freshman year. I’ve seen the growth.”
