CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Northeast football’s Jaiden Puig burst onto the scene during the second half of last season and helped lead the Eagles to a 3-3 finish during his freshman campaign.

Puig threw for 1,406 yards and 16 touchdowns in just six games played in 2019.

“Well I didn’t think I was going to start freshman year at all,” Puig said. “J.P. (J’Lin Powell) always helped me and I was really just getting ready for my sophomore year. I remember my middle school coach had told me that J’Lin was moving. I was shocked. Going into high school, I didn’t even start junior varsity and was backup on the freshman team. I just worked really hard until I got a call from one of my varsity coaches. He told me that they were thinking about putting in someone else, but that he vouched for me. I owe a real big thanks to Coach Mike because without him none of this would’ve happened.”

Puig discussed how he felt after receiving the proverbial keys to the offense from his head coach Brandon Clark.

“To me, I felt like I didn’t do my most freshman year,” Puig said. “I told Coach Clark that I was sorry I went 3-3 as a starter. He told me he couldn’t think of another freshman in the whole state that could really do what I did.

“After our game with West Creek,  the coaches would come up to me and allow me to change a play at the line and I was only 14 at the time. Obviously they knew what I was doing from spending a lot of time watching video and learning how to read different coverages. I’m working hard right now because I know teams are going to be targeting me.”

It’s no secret that the Eagles will look to replace a myriad of weapons on the offensive side of the ball in 2020. Replacing high-caliber players such as Tomario Vereen, Malik Rumble and Jalen Miller won’t likely be easy, but Puig suggests that the explosive Jaylin Bowser and others are up for the challenge.

“Me and Jaylin are going to work today,” Puig said. “We have this one guy in my class who is also a sophomore Desmond Fort. He’s Tomario Vereen, but his catch radius is everywhere. You don’t have to be extremely accurate with him. He’s a beast. I’ve really been working with him on his route running. I was a receiver for six years before I changed to quarterback technically in the eighth grade.”

At the quarterback position, being a leader comes with the territory. Puig has already taken the necessary measures to ensure that his fellow teammates can count on him to get the job done.

“I send everyone on the team drills to do for each position and they work on those,” Puig said. “I feel like we have a different mindset from last year to this year. Going into this season, everyone seems to be more relaxed, focused and motivated. Now I really have to step up. If you can’t be a leader then you’re not a quarterback. Everyone is depending on me.”

The talented Puig has worked tirelessly on his game during the offseason to improve his craft and be the best version of himself that he can  be when fall rolls around.

“To me, I’m a baseball player too and throwing a ball is just natural,” Puig said. “I don’t have to throw a ball for a few days and then we I do, I have my throwing back. Right now, I’m studying the playbook and trying to get smarter on the field, so I know every play what the defense is doing. The key thing I’m trying to work on is getting faster. I know a lot of teams are going to drop back next year because I’m a thrower, but I’m going to be able to run too this coming year.”

Puig is very appreciative to those closest to him for believing in his ability and also giving him the confidence to succeed on and off the gridiron.

“My parents go to every game and it doesn’t matter how far,” Puig said. “They drove three hours just to see me play last season and two hours just to see me on the sidelines when I was a backup. I’d also like to thank all my coaches for believing me.”