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VYPE Q&A: Get to know Frisco Reedy QB AJ Padgett
Class of 2020 quarterback AJ Padgett takes center stage this week in VYPE's Q&A. Padgett was the winner of VYPE DFW's Football Player of the Week Fan Poll for Week 8. Through 9 games this season, Padgett has compiled 2,044 yards and 18 touchdowns through the air, and has added a team-leading 340 yards and 6 TDs rushing.
VYPE sat down with the junior to get to know the player, and the man a bit better.
VYPE: How long have you been playing football, and how did you get your start?
AJ: I started playing football in 2nd grade. I had the opportunity to start this year since the guy ahead of me moved to another school.
VYPE: As a QB, what do you believe is your most important skillset and why?
AJ: I would say I have a really sneaky athleticism. When you look at me I may not look like a running threat, but I can definitely get it done on the ground. It catches teams off guard.
VYPE: If you were able to go pro in any sport BESIDES football, what would it be?
AJ: If I were to go pro in a sport other than football I'd have to choose basketball, I don't play anymore, but I still have fun with it.
VYPE: Breakdown your Gameday/pre-game routine? Do you have any go-to meals or pump-up songs?
AJ: On game days I stay off my phone for the majority of the day, it keeps me focused and helps me have my mind in the right place. I also make sure to stay hydrated. In terms of music, I listen to whatever is playing in the locker room, I was never really one to put my headphones in and just sit and listen.
LEGIT CHECK ✅ FRISCO REEDY 2022 QB @AJPadgett14 vs Centennial. 400+ yards 3TDs. Huge arm talent with the ability… https://t.co/vnVyCLZXD5— Chris Henderson (@Chris Henderson) 1606757791.0
VYPE: What is your favorite subject in school?
AJ: I definitely lean towards math as a favorite subject, I've just understood it for the most part throughout school.
VYPE: Which player on Reedy do you feel is the most underrated? Also, who do you view as the funniest teammate?
AJ: Most underrated teammate I have is Cam Hardy. He is an absolute lockdown corner. He should have offers from all over the country. Funniest teammate is probably Sami Qawasmi.
VYPE: What area of your game do you think needs the most improvement?
AJ: I would say that I need to step into my throws a little better. My arm is plenty strong but sometimes I anticipate a hit too early.
VYPE: What has been your favorite football moment this season? What about your entire football career?
AJ:My favorite moment from this year was against (Frisco) Independence when on third and medium in the 4th quarter we called a quarterback run which resulted in a touchdown, iced the game. My favorite moment of my career was freshman year when we ran "Philly Special" for the win against Frisco on our freshman team.
VYPE: Lastly, what are your ultimate goals in football? Where do you see your self in the next 5-10 years?
AJ: My goal is to have my education paid for, I definitely see myself as a college football player.
VYPE 411: Rouse's Kingsbery Heads South To UTSA
The Austin area produces a lot of top tier athletes. That's why VYPE Austin editor/reporter Thomas Bingham caught up with Leander Rouse baseball player and 2020 UTSA commit Fischer Kingsbery this week. Check out our VYPE 411 Q&A segment to learn about his college opportunity, the type of athlete he is, the 2020 high school baseball season and more.
Bingham: "You're a 2020 UTSA baseball commit. What excites you about the opportunity and why was it the right college choice for you?"
Kingsbery: "The biggest thing that excites me about playing baseball at the next level, especially at UTSA, is the coaching staff. After meeting with them a few times, I knew that it would be the best place to spend my next four years. One of my personal goals as an athlete is to become the best player I can possibly be so, after hearing the experiences the coaches had with developing pitchers, I knew it would be a great fit to reach my goal."
Bingham: "When did the offer come in and how honored were you when you received it?"
Kingsbery: "I was offered the week after I attended a baseball camp at UTSA at the end of last summer. I had played in a tournament with my summer club team at UTSA and [assistant] coach [Scott] Shepperd saw my outing. Then, I was invited to a UTSA camp and after that [was] asked to come with my family for a visit the following Saturday. We were in the coach's office when I received the offer and it was like nothing else. The hard work and late nights had all payed off at that moment. I was so grateful and, on the car ride home, I gave coach a call and accepted the offer."
Bingham: "As a senior at Leander Rouse, how do you try to lead by example on the baseball field?"
Kingsbery: "The biggest way I see myself leading by example is by putting in the extra work. You don't become great by just practicing at practice. I work with a private trainer and a private pitching coach up to four times a week. I also focus on my diet and getting the right nutrients."
Bingham: "What goals are you chasing as a senior to finish your high school career on the right note?"
Kingsbery: "My main goal for the year is to put us in a position to win baseball games, so that we continue our run of winning district and try to get to the state tournament. Whenever I'm on the mound, all I want to do is get batters out and keep them off the board."
Bingham: "Leander Rouse won a playoff series in 2019. How are you and your teammates planning on building off of that in 2020 and what goals are y'all chasing?"
Kingsbery: "We exited the playoffs earlier than we wanted to last year, and we're using that loss as motivation to be better and go farther this year. Our goals are the same as prior years: to make it to the state tournament. What makes this year different is that as a varsity team, we're working more outside of practice to get stronger, which should translate to the field."
For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEATX) on Twitter.
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