When Jason Arredondo committed to Tulane last fall, his mother emailed me wanting to know if I would like to interview. I did but did not transcribe it for about two months, and I don't think I ever posted it here. Now that he is on the spring roster, the interview is relevant.
JASON ARREDONDO
On why chose Tulane:
“It was influenced by several factors. Tulane obviously has top notch education. The student-athletes obviously have to excel on the field and in the classroom, and that’s something that I’ve had to do all four years at Bishop Gorman and definitely something I’m looking forward to continuing my next four years at Tulane. It’s an environment I can’t wait to be a part of as far as top education and successful football program.
On winning at Bishop Gorman:
"Obviously Gorman is known for winning and winning is behind the name. Definitely we have a target on our backs this year coming out and being national champions last year. We came out in the preseason ranked No. 2 this year, so we’re definitely hungry. I just want that same environment, and I feel like coach Jon Sumrall has obviously won previously. He’s up there with some of the coaches that win at the biggest levels. That’s just something I can’t wait to be a part of and something I’ve been a part of the past three years and definitely looking forward to continuing that at Tulane."
On when recruited:
“It was this past summer. I reached out to coach Hudspeth about attending their football camp, and we figured out a date that works because I went to probably 14 college football camps. Tulane definitely stuck with me there. I got to talk to coach Sumrall when I went down there to the camp."
On time of camp:
"Late June I believe."
On being ready for heat because he lives in Vegas:
"We’re practicing right now. I just got out of practice. We start at 3:10 and we got to 6:30. I’ve definitely been prepared at Bishop Gorman. I know humidity definitely kicks up at Tulane, but I’m looking forward to it. Similar temperature, different type of climate. Definitely looking forward to grinding in the heat and sweating it all off."
On scholarship possibility:
“I’m going into the spring with hopes of earning a scholarship by the fall. Obviously I’ll be competing for that starting spot. That’s something I’ve been trained to do so far my four years. I compete every single day. I’m getting some reps on the O-line competing with the best 5-star commits we have going to Oregon and all those guys. Competition is definitely no fear for me. I’m ready to go in and show what I’ve got for Tulane football and all the fans."
On the opening at the position:
"It was great that they wanted me coming in in the spring. They believe that I have what it takes, and I obviously believe in myself that I can get the job done. I want to work hard. I’m fully committed to doing so. I want to be able to show my skills. I definitely shine as far as accuracy and speed goes on the snaps. I give my everything every single day at Bishop Gorman and want to continue that at Tulane."
On when knew long snapping was his thing:
"I actually started snapping in eighth grade working with guy who went to Nebraska and who now plays in the USL (United Soccer League), Jordan Ober. He was the one who initially trained me to start snapping, and I’ve obviously had different coaches since then. I realized when my head coach, Brent Browner, isolated me at the position. He really wanted me to long snap for all four years. I’ve started four years."
On other schools considered:
"I held offers to Tulane and Columbia."
On height and weight:
"5-11, 240."
On camps:
"I went to 14 camps. That’s probably combined with the college camps and the ranking camps. I’m a 5-star on all services as far as long snapping goes. It was definitely tedious work but definitely worth it. All the work’s worth it."
On snapping success:
"That’s something I pride myself on. I’ve never missed a snap in my high school career. I did the numbers on it. I had four punt snaps last year against 110 field goal and extra point snaps."
On if he had been to New Orleans:
"I haven’t. I went out there and obviously a big music scene, great energy and something that I look forward to seeing in Yulman Stadium, everything like that. I can’t wait to see all the tradition. It’s definitely a tradition-packed city. Culture is very big, and it’s something that I’m excited for. Big city to big city and New Orleans is definitely a city I can’t wait to experience."
JASON ARREDONDO
On why chose Tulane:
“It was influenced by several factors. Tulane obviously has top notch education. The student-athletes obviously have to excel on the field and in the classroom, and that’s something that I’ve had to do all four years at Bishop Gorman and definitely something I’m looking forward to continuing my next four years at Tulane. It’s an environment I can’t wait to be a part of as far as top education and successful football program.
On winning at Bishop Gorman:
"Obviously Gorman is known for winning and winning is behind the name. Definitely we have a target on our backs this year coming out and being national champions last year. We came out in the preseason ranked No. 2 this year, so we’re definitely hungry. I just want that same environment, and I feel like coach Jon Sumrall has obviously won previously. He’s up there with some of the coaches that win at the biggest levels. That’s just something I can’t wait to be a part of and something I’ve been a part of the past three years and definitely looking forward to continuing that at Tulane."
On when recruited:
“It was this past summer. I reached out to coach Hudspeth about attending their football camp, and we figured out a date that works because I went to probably 14 college football camps. Tulane definitely stuck with me there. I got to talk to coach Sumrall when I went down there to the camp."
On time of camp:
"Late June I believe."
On being ready for heat because he lives in Vegas:
"We’re practicing right now. I just got out of practice. We start at 3:10 and we got to 6:30. I’ve definitely been prepared at Bishop Gorman. I know humidity definitely kicks up at Tulane, but I’m looking forward to it. Similar temperature, different type of climate. Definitely looking forward to grinding in the heat and sweating it all off."
On scholarship possibility:
“I’m going into the spring with hopes of earning a scholarship by the fall. Obviously I’ll be competing for that starting spot. That’s something I’ve been trained to do so far my four years. I compete every single day. I’m getting some reps on the O-line competing with the best 5-star commits we have going to Oregon and all those guys. Competition is definitely no fear for me. I’m ready to go in and show what I’ve got for Tulane football and all the fans."
On the opening at the position:
"It was great that they wanted me coming in in the spring. They believe that I have what it takes, and I obviously believe in myself that I can get the job done. I want to work hard. I’m fully committed to doing so. I want to be able to show my skills. I definitely shine as far as accuracy and speed goes on the snaps. I give my everything every single day at Bishop Gorman and want to continue that at Tulane."
On when knew long snapping was his thing:
"I actually started snapping in eighth grade working with guy who went to Nebraska and who now plays in the USL (United Soccer League), Jordan Ober. He was the one who initially trained me to start snapping, and I’ve obviously had different coaches since then. I realized when my head coach, Brent Browner, isolated me at the position. He really wanted me to long snap for all four years. I’ve started four years."
On other schools considered:
"I held offers to Tulane and Columbia."
On height and weight:
"5-11, 240."
On camps:
"I went to 14 camps. That’s probably combined with the college camps and the ranking camps. I’m a 5-star on all services as far as long snapping goes. It was definitely tedious work but definitely worth it. All the work’s worth it."
On snapping success:
"That’s something I pride myself on. I’ve never missed a snap in my high school career. I did the numbers on it. I had four punt snaps last year against 110 field goal and extra point snaps."
On if he had been to New Orleans:
"I haven’t. I went out there and obviously a big music scene, great energy and something that I look forward to seeing in Yulman Stadium, everything like that. I can’t wait to see all the tradition. It’s definitely a tradition-packed city. Culture is very big, and it’s something that I’m excited for. Big city to big city and New Orleans is definitely a city I can’t wait to experience."