Posted by bmbi2godzilla on 8/12/2007, 9:25 pm Everybody always wants to be the first, but as they said in "Highlander," "there can be only one." The lucky person who can claim to be the first high school recruit of the Jerry Glanville era at Portland State is Kramer Hagan. Hagan, a 6-foot-1 quarterback from a school of less than 400 students in Sacramento, Calif., made an unofficial visit last week, was offered a scholarship by Glanville and accepted the next day. Hagan helped tiny Capital Christian turn a 2-8 record two years ago into an 8-2 mark last season by passing for 2,407 yards and 19 TDs. He also rushed for over 300 yards and 10 TDs. A quick google search turns up an abundance of scouting reports and recruiting info, but this Sacramento Bee article from two weeks ago definitely provides the most interesting fodder. Hagan and his school's wide outs absolutely lit up a 7-on-7 passing league, taking down a couple of Division I (the equivalent of 6A) powerhouses. According to the Bee, In the seven vs. seven format, the offense has a center, quarterback and five receivers. The defense counters with four defensive backs and three linebackers. Players are downed with a two-hand touch, and a quarterback has 3 1/2 seconds to throw a pass or it is counted as a sack. The game favors quick passers and good decision makers and by all accounts, Hagan is both. "In four games, our quarterback must have thrown nearly 200 passes (161) and had only two interceptions and a boat load of touchdowns (21)," coach Karl Zierhut said. "Kramer is (6-foot-1 7/8) tall, so he doesn't fit the mold," Zierhut said. "But he can read a defense and put the ball where it is supposed to be. So what do you want, some kid who is 6-4 but panics under pressure or a guy who is going to step up and make plays?" Hagan was kind enough to answer a few questions by e-mail. I've posted his responses below in addition to a video showing some highlights. 1) Why PSU? Was PSU on your radar before Jerry and Mouse took over? I really did not know anything about PSU before they arrived! Coach (Bobby) April visited my campus in May, but beyond that I never received any recruiting mail from PSU until last Friday when coach April wrote me an email telling me they were very interested and were about to offer. So we decided to take an unofficial visit and meet the staff and see the team practice. I saw PSU play against Sac St. last season, but that is about all I have ever really thought about them. But once I realized who coach Glanville and Coach Davis actually were I realized this is a great opportunity for me as a QB. Everyone here in California thinks it's incredible that I get a chance to play for them. My high school coach was ecstatic even though he is from San Jose State. 2) Describe your game and what you'd bring at QB. I love to lead a team. My coaches and the college scouts tell me I have great accuracy, a quick release, mobility and can read defenses beyond a normal high school QB. (that's what I am told) I also have really grown in my understanding of how to manage a game and not panic if I get behind. My approach to playing Quarterback is to move the ball, get first downs and above all else do not throw interceptions! In other words, I do whatever is needed to help us win! I won't let us lose! 3) How was your visit? What did you do? The visit was fantastic! They treated me so well. I went to practice and got to talk to Coach Davis for like an hour on the field. I also got to see the new uniforms! It was an unofficial visit so I couldn't eat with the team, but they really included me in a lot of things on the field. I then spent time with Coach Glanville in his office where he officially offered me a scholarship. Coach April has also been great. He has emailed me constantly and answered all our questions and made us feel like part of the PSU football family already. 4) What other schools were you considering? Did you have any other offers yet? Other schools that were most interested in me were San Jose St, Cal, Idaho, Northern Arizona and Buffalo from the MAC conference. I have received about 200 letters and have had about 40 visits on campus from coaches. Most said they would offer sometime early in my senior year, but PSU was the first! And coach Glanville convinced me this was the best fit for me. I loved the city, the campus, the whole thing was awesome. I know that next year I will be the rookie and at the bottom of the depth chart and will have to compete like everybody else. PSU has great QB's already there and I hope they kill it this year and win the 1-AA national championship. I am just excited to be a part of this team!
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The First High School Recruit: Kramer Hagan
Ian Ruder
Vikings Blog
August 11, 2007
Kramer Hagan.
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