Corey Dailey returns as the Matador starting quarterback for his fourth and final year at Seguin High School. This summer, the senior committed to playing college football at the University of Pittsburgh. Dailey chose Pitt over offers from Texas State, University of Texas San Antonio, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Incarnate Word, Lamar, Fordham, San Diego State and Tulane.
Rated as a three-star prospect by various recruiting publications heading into his senior season, Dailey has thrown for 6,217 yards with 78 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in three years as Seguin’s starting quarterback. As a junior in 2024, Dailey was named the District 13-5A Offensive MVP. He threw for 2,529 yards with 35 touchdowns and just seven interceptions.
We had a chance to talk with Seguin’s starting quarterback before the start of his last season as a Matador.
Q: What drew you to commit to Pitt, and how did the coaching staff there sell you on their vision for your future?
A: I really like their coaching staff and what they do on offense. Coach (Pat) Narduzzi is a really good coach. I know he’s a defensive guy, but they put a lot of dudes in the NFL and that’s my next goal. So, I thought it was the best place for me as a fit in offense and through their system for me to get to the next level where I want to play.
Q: What are you looking forward to the most in your senior year at Seguin High School?
A: I’m looking forward to playing my last year for my dad. Ian (Moreno) has been with me since 8th grade, Elliot (Weaver) and all of them too. We’re trying to make the playoffs and do something that hasn’t been done in a while. I know it’s the same every year, but it’s our goal.
Q: You mentioned your dad, Craig. He’s your head coach. What’s it like having your dad as your coach? He played quarterback in college. How is he helping you prepare for the next level?
A: He’s preparing me for the next level, like what I need to focus on in practice. You can’t come to practice and be lackadaisical, it’s gotta be like you’re playing in a game, taking every rep seriously and getting better. Even in the weight room, not taking reps off and stuff like that. Just having the mentality that you have to outwork everybody because on the next level, everybody’s good.
Q: You’ve been a starter for three years. This is your senior year. What did you focus on in the offseason to try to improve your game?
A: Little details, like in my drop, shortening my release a little bit. Putting weight on, just getting ready for the season and getting ready for the next level, really by doing things at a different pace. Some of the workouts, I’ve been putting more effort into stuff.
Q: What do you think will be some of the biggest challenges you will see this season?
A: A lot of people will game plan for our offense since we’re so vertically dynamic, so we want to take what the defense gives us. Check the ball down if we need to and give the ball to our best players on offense and see what they can do. We need people to step up and I think they will.
Q: Talk about some of your key offensive weapons like Ayden Avila, who’s gonna be a big target at receiver, and Ian Moreno who’s back at running back. How has your chemistry with your receivers and running backs developed?
A: It really helped that Ayden stepped up last year. We had some injuries early in the season and he stepped up for us big time. So, we’re expecting him to have a big year this year. He picked up his first offer this offseason, so I’m gonna do whatever I can to get him the ball. And Ian and Elliot, we’re gonna get our players the ball in space and see what they can do and put the ball in the end zone. That’s the goal at the end of the day.
Q: Looking ahead to your transition to college football, what aspects of your game do you think will translate well to the ACC, and what areas do you know you’ll need to continue developing?
A: Developing my weight, putting on muscle. I also gotta get more athletic to play at the next level. Gotta be able to get away from those dudes because they can run. Having a strong arm, it helps me out when I’m late on reads to get the ball there in high school, but in college it’s not gonna be like that. So, what will help me out is intelligence and knowing the game and knowing what the defense is in before the ball is even snapped to where the ball is going.
Q: Outside of the game, how do you handle the pressure of being a highly recruited quarterback while still focusing on high school football and leading your teammates?
A: Really, I try to keep recruiting out of football. When we practice, I try to leave it alone. Ever since I committed, it hasn’t been stressful. I’m more relieved not having to talk to coaches every day. Just worrying about playing football, and seeing what we can do for the season and hopefully get in the playoffs and win in the first round.
Q: Do you talk to other quarterbacks in the district who are going to play at the college level?
A: Boerne Champion quarterback Julian (Navarrete), me and him are close. We work out and talk to each other. You know keeping chemistry with people is important. Just in case later in life something happens, you have someone to go to.
Q: And your backup is Jackson Kirchner. He’s a sophomore. Do you give him any advice?
A: Jackson is basically like a little brother to me. He and I are really close. I help him out as much as I can. He plays receiver too. So he also works with them, but if he has questions about quarterbacking, I help him out as much as I can.
Q: One final question. You also play basketball and baseball. Are you playing those sports this school year at Seguin or are you graduating early?
A: I’ll be out of here in January. No baseball or basketball this year.
Corey Dailey will start his final season at quarterback for the Seguin Matadors on Friday, on the road against the Alamo Heights Mules. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. You’ll be able to hear that game and all of Seguin’s games this season on KWED and streaming at SeguinToday.com.