5-Star Advice: Brad Kaaya
From the book "5-star QB", Q&A with the former Miami QB, who after a brief stint in the NFL is now pursuing a career in screenwriting
There have been 140 quarterbacks in the history of recruiting who were dubbed ‘5-Star QBs.’ While only 1 of those won a Super Bowl and only 20 were drafted in the first round all of those signal callers can offer brilliant insight and advice. Some may be deemed busts by fans, some are transitioning out of football and some are currently playing on Saturdays and Sundays but all have a story and over 50 of them have shared with us some of their most intimate insights into their path from high school to retirement, and everything in between.
In addition, another 50 ambassadors of the game have offered their advice to anyone going through the process of recruiting and quarterback play and their expertise is second to none.
Each week we will take you inside the minds of those who play quarterback, coached quarterbacks or covered quarterbacks at the highest level and our goal is that the stories shared will impact how you view the game. After all, the goal of Y-Option is to bring thoughtful conversation to the world of college football, through the lens of the West Coast.
This week’s contributor of “5-Star Advice” is former Miami Hurricanes QB Brad Kaaya. Kaaya is a Southern California native that led Chaminade College Prep to its first ever state championship and a member of the 2013 Elite 11. After winning the starting job in his first fall camp, Kaaya was named the 2014 ACC Rookie of the Year. In 3 seasons at Miami, Kaaya finished his career as the school’s all-time leader in passing yards and completions and 3rd all-time in passing touchdowns. A 6th round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Kaaya was a member of 4 different organizations in 3 seasons but did not see action in a regular season game. Once his playing career ended, he returned to Southern California to pursue screenwriting with one of his scripts making the 2022 Black List (a list of the year’s top unproduced movie scripts).
From the book “5-Star QB: It’s Not About the Stars, It’s About the Journey”….
When did you get your first scholarship offer?
Miami’s OC at the time (James Coley) had been in contact with me for several months, towards the latter half of my junior year of high school. I assumed I would have to compete at their rising senior camp before receiving any form of a ‘legitimate offer’, but then there came a day that changed my life forever... I woke up to a message in my Facebook inbox from James, informing me they were offering me a scholarship. I was flustered, ecstatic, nervous, enthused, and ultimately confused as to whether or not a scholarship offer was legitimate if it was extended via Facebook! Little did I know this was only the beginning of a new era of recruiting madness.
What schools offered you prior to being ranked 5-Star?
Miami, USC, UCLA, Washington, Boise State, Virginia, SDSU, probably forgetting a few others.
What was your body of work as a player before being ranked a 5-Star QB?
Played varsity for 3 years, half of which were spent as a back-up QB. STARTER STATS: 5,730 yards, 40 TDs, 8 INTs, 64%. 23-3 as a starter. 2012, 2013, League champions. 2013 district champions. 2013 regional champions. 2013 state champions. 2013 state player of the year, Semper Fi All-American, 2013 Elite 11 finalist.