Nathan Varady Q&A

Nathan Varady is a 2012 wide receiver from Fayetteville High School, in Arkansas. Before getting injured, Varady was off to a strong junior season, leading his team in receiving. He made headlines in June 2011 when he won the fastest man competition at the Bobby Petrino football camp (we have the video below). Furthermore, Varady is an oustanding student, receiving attention from a number of Ivy League schools. We have a lot of information on him- an interview (video and text versions), a video of him winning the fastest man, a video of him working on his routes, and his highlight video. You will see in his highlight video he has demonsrated the willingness to make tough catches and can accelerate for yards after catch. Varady is young for his class and will graduate as only a 17 year old, making him an interesting redshirt or grey shirt candidate. Also, be sure to check out his PlayNextLevel.com profile. 

PNL: What have you been up to this summer?

Nathan Varady: I was at the Bobby Petrino/Arkansas football camp and there were about 350, probably 390 guys there, and I won the fastest man. Like I said, it’s just really nice just to legitimize my speed because I’ve run 4.40’s pretty consistently, but people don’t really believe that if you’re white, so it’s pretty nice to put that out there are start getting attention for my speed.

PNL: Did you expect to win the fastest man?

Nathan Varady: I did and it was day three so I was really tired but so was everybody else, so I knew I was going to be the fastest receiver because I had worked with those guys. In the forty I can compete with anybody. 

PNL: How did they determine the fastest man?

Nathan Varady: Well, it started with each individual position and then they took the top two, basically, from each position and then raced all of us. So, the top two fastest receivers got into the finals and then the two fastest running backs…two fastest tight ends, linebackers, safeties, DB’s. So, there were like 12 guys in the final race or something and they just raced us. 

***video of Varady winning the fastest man competition***

PNL: How fast have you been clocked running the forty?

Nathan Varady: 4.40 I’ve run multiple times. The beginning of June I ran a 4.41. The only time I had actually been at a combine was actually a Scout.com combine back in February and it was 32 degrees and raining, so I ran a 4.50 there. But that was pretty fast for those weather conditions so I didn’t mind it.

PNL: What are your strengths as a player?

Nathan Varady: Routes, really. You know, speed and routes. I can’t be covered, honestly in one on one. If someone tries to press me then I run right by them, so they have to play off. And then with my routes, I get my hips down and work my arms I’ll be wide open on come backs and curls all day, so really just being able to get open… making the quarterback’s job a little easier. 

***video of Varady working on his routes below***

PNL: What is your academic standing?

Nathan Varady: I have a 32 on the ACT, above a 4.0 GPA because of AP classes, ranked number one in our class here at Fayetteville, so that’s gotten me a lot of attention from the Ivy League Schools…pretty much all of them.

PNL: How have academics affected your recruitment?

Nathan Varady: It definitely helps, because first of all the D1 schools have academic progress rates so a 4.0 is going to be nice to raise that. But, the biggest thing is the Ivy Leagues. You know, I probably have 15 schools contacting me and if I was a 24 or 25 ACT they wouldn’t even talk to me.

PNL: Where are you in the recruiting process?

Nathan Varady: The Ivy Leagues like to do things a lot later. December is really their big time to start offering. So, the coaches will tell you “don’t worry about it. You’re friends are getting offers from D1 schools that you wouldn’t go to anyway because of your academics.” I mean, I pretty much have a couple of offers, from some smaller D3 schools like John Hopkins and Chicago is very interested, Colgate as well. Those are probably the top three. But, Ivy League Wise, probably Princeton, Yale..those two are pretty high on my list.  

PNL: How did your season go last year?

Nathan Varady: It got cut short because I had a broken collarbone, unfortunately. At the time, I was our leading receiver as far as catches and yards go. I was able to come back for the state championship game and that we were fortunate enough to go to and I got to score and play in that and had a very good game there, but I’m really just excited for this year to have a full season and see what I can do.

PNL: Why do you feel there haven’t been a ton of offers yet?

Nathan Varady: You know, my production wasn’t huge last year, but I was hurt and I’m expecting more, too. You know, there are some smaller D1’s though. And then part of it is my fault is I want to go to a decently academic school, so some lesser D1’s I’ve basically said “don’t worry about it.” I mean, I’m not going to go there.” That’s part of it and then I still think more is to come. I mean, they are talking to me. For sure, Arkansas and some others- they just haven’t offered yet, obviously.

PNL: What are your future goals?

Nathan Varady: The longest term goal is that I want to be a doctor. So, I plan on going to Medical School after college. Right now, it’s to play big time football, but I still haven’t decided should a big D1 offer come where I would go, “Ivy League or here?” because academics is a very big part for me.

PNL: Are you leaning one way or another towards the Ivy League or if a big time Div. 1 offer comes in?

Nathan Varady: I have no idea. You know, I’ve always grown up Razorbacks- gone to the games my whole life and been a huge fan, but I’m sitting here thinking after visiting Princeton it’s like- you know, Yale as well. It will be a tough decision and I’ll just have to weigh my options come December and take some visits.

PNL: What did you think of your visits to the different Ivy League schools?

Nathan Varady: It was pretty impressive. I mean, there is a lot of money in those schools and you can tell they’re very nice. There were a couple where I just didn’t feel at home. Some things I didn’t like about them- stadiums being off campus and things of that nature. But then there were a couple where you’re just like “wow, this is really nice.”

***video of Varady's 2010 highlights***