Recruit spotlight: 2021 QB Tyler Jensen

It is a dead period in college sports as the coronavirus outbreak has halted face-to-face recruiting until April 15. That date coincides with the start of the spring evaluation period for football coaches. There is plenty of uncertainty for all involved in college sports, but at some point the recruiting process will continue and when it does one prospect coaches should take a look at is California quarterback Tyler Jensen.

The 6-foot-5 prospect recently had an opportunity to perform at the Rivals Camp Series stop in Los Angeles and he performed well among the group of standout signal callers at the event.

A junior at Lincoln High School in San Diego, the big pro-style quarterback has a strong arm and has the size that many programs covet at the position. Jensen has already generated some interest among college programs and Arizona is just one school that has seen him throw in person.

"I've gone to a college camps all over the country," he said. " ... I classify myself as a typical pro-style quarterback just beating teams with the arm. So, over the past offseason I've tried working more on my footwork and speed plus a little bit of reading defenses. Other than that I've just been staying true to my pro-style attributes."

One of Jensen's biggest strengths is his ability to get the ball to his receivers with some power behind the throws. That arm strength was on display at the Rivals Camp in Los Angeles and it is something the big quarterback knows is going to be most appealing about his game to college coaches.

"I've always had a strong arm and I believe – and people have told me – I have a unique ability to squeeze the ball in between two defenders," Jensen said. "I definitely use that to my advantage."

The recruiting process gets going for recruits at different times and the current state of college sports has brought a halt to many of the usual avenues for prospects and coaches to get to know one another.

Assuming the spring evaluation period moves ahead as planned it will be an important time for Jensen to make an impression on coaches since it will be the last time coaches will get to see what he looks like in person before his senior year outside of camp season in the summer.

"Over last season I got a lot of interest from North Carolina State, Baylor and Kansas and then also local schools like USC," Jensen said. "Then also some Ivy League schools because a lot of my family went Ivy League. So, just a lot of interest from all over."

Academics are going to be a big part of Jensen's college decision and he said having a top engineering program is a must for any university he ends up picking.

"From a football aspect, I need to find a school that fits my style because I need to have good athletes around me and a pro-style offense that throws the ball 70 percent of the time," he said.

Jensen possesses many of the qualities that Arizona offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone looks for in his quarterbacks starting with his size. Now that the Wildcats are moving to Grant Gunnell at the quarterback position the expectation is the passing numbers will rise as well. There has been interest from UA in Jensen early in the process.

"Actually, Arizona came and watched me throw," he said. " ... I'd definitely look into Arizona. I like the weather there, it's great weather, so I'd definitely look more into Arizona."

For now Jensen will continue working this spring in anticipation of getting in front of coaches once again to push the recruiting process forward.

"Just building upon what I already have," he said about the things he will be focused on improving the rest of the offseason. "Quicker decision making, throwing a more accurate ball and overall just becoming a better pro-style quarterback."

Jensen passed for 1,626 yards and 12 touchdowns during his junior season in addition to rushing for two more scores.