In-Depth Q&A Interview, Episcopal Academy’s QB Na’Rome Rayborn
Highlights
Very happy to get some insight from one of the more underrated quarterback prospects suiting up for Episcopal Academy, just outside of Philadelphia. That being Na’Rome Rayborn Na’Rome Rayborn 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Episcopal Academy | 2024 State PA , a prospect who has slid up and down our rankings for years. The Rayborn rank, one that needs some tuning, lands him as a FCS-level prospect. Rayborn has been seeing interest from that subdivision. It’s been a busy 30 days for the soon-to-be senior passer, visiting the likes of Holy Cross, Navy, Harvard, Lafayette, Georgetown, and Brown University. Below, Rayborn maps out his thoughts and post-visit interests, doing a great job shedding light on what many of these programs think of him and vice versa. A preview on Episcopal Academy’s underclassmen roster is scheduled to drop next week on top of this piece. Excited to keep up with this young man’s journey.
Question One
Where are most of these programs recruiting you to play? You’re an awesome quarterback and an even better athlete, shed some light on what these coaches think of you as a prospect. I’m one who thinks you’re capable of playing QB at the next level.
All all of the schools I have talked to are recruiting me to play quarterback. I believe the coaches see my athletic capabilities and know I have skill throwing the ball, which makes me a dangerous dual-threat quarterback. I cannot speak for any coach that I’ve talked to, but I imagine that they like my ability and can determine that I am a weapon that can be used effectively in any offense. I assume the best of myself, and I know I will continue to improve as I keep working hard each day. I hope the coaches I have talked to and will talk to, know I will go to any length to become the best quarterback I can possibly be.
Question Two
How was Georgetown? Recap the ins-and-outs of that visit.
Georgetown was great! My dad and I drove down to the D.C. area and got to experience their spring game. While I was on the sideline, I got to speak to the coach who recruits my area, who is also the position coach. We talked about my film and how he was impressed by it. I also got to talk to the offensive coordinator who had also liked my film. The campus itself is beautiful and the football field is in the middle of some very awesome buildings; it has an incredible atmosphere. Overall I had a great experience, and the only knock on it I had was the traffic getting into D.C.
Question Three
What facility or facilities wowed you the most?
I believe every facility in its own right was very unique and offered insight into each football program’s culture. The historic fields of Penn and Harvard were awesome and made me really embrace the Ivy League culture. The Holy Cross indoor field and weight room were phenomenal and I saw that as them wanting to get the best out of each and every player. Lafayette’s field and campus were spectacular and created a very cool atmosphere, and it’s very close to home. Navy was incredible with their football meeting room, practice fields, and weight room. Navy has been the only FBS school I have visited, and it was a great experience. Brown had an awesome meeting room and very nice practice fields, alongside a brand-new weight room. Providence is a very nice city with great food. Georgetown had a stunning campus and a centrally located field that was very cool.
Question Four
The Naval Academy is full of prestige, a lot of honor to visit an institution like that. What’d you learn about Navy?
It was an absolute privilege to visit the Naval Academy. I learned a ton about the culture whilst touring the facilities and campus. It hit a little close to home for me, as I have a grandfather who served at Air Force. I learned several things at Navy, but the biggest takeaway was how they are an extremely competitive football team, who are willing to train their young men to the best of their abilities so that not only will they be the best football players they can be, but also the best young men who will serve their country.
Question Five
You left Brown University with an offer, huge congrats from us! What did Coach McCarthy like about your game? How was the talk? How’d you feel after?
Thanks so much! It’s an absolute privilege to be offered by Brown. Coach McCarthy is an amazing coach and an even better person. He told me a couple of things he liked about my film, but the one thing that resonated with me was how he complimented my character. He mentioned to me how I carried myself well. Above all things I strive to be a good person, and will always live by trying to be the best version of myself. I do not think there is a better compliment, than one that mentions character or personality. So for me, that was very special and meant a lot. The talk with coach was great and after he told me he was offering me, I think I might have jumped out of my bed. The call was late at night, so the rest of my day wasn’t super crazy, but I celebrated with my parents and had a couple of relatives call me and say congrats.
Question Six
What’s next?
What’s next for me is a broad question, which I don’t completely know the answer. However, I will say that I am going to prove to a lot of people my worth. All of the times I’ve been looked over because of my height, or my throwing ability has been doubted, or even coaches telling me that I do not fit a scheme; I’m going to prove myself. I’m going to make sure that anyone who has ever doubted me because of any characteristic, will regret it. All and any opportunity I have I am going to take it. I guess what I’m trying to say, is that I am going to get better and put coaches on notice about who I am. Thanks so much for reaching out with the questions, and if there is anything else you’d like me to answer, I’ll gladly answer them. I am going to be attending camps this summer and making sure I am competing at my best.
A table of Rayborn’s current offer list.
Total: 2 | ||||
UPenn | Brown University |