📝 Oneonta linebacker Riley Cole commits to Alabama, calls it 'dream come true'

[BAMANEWSBOT]

Oneonta linebacker Riley Cole was offered by and committed to Alabama on Thursday.

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[Bamabww]

'A dream come true'

Andrew Bone
TideSports.com Senior Recruiting Analyst

Riley Cole, linebacker from Oneonta High School in Ala., jumped immediately on the opportunity presented Thursday afternoon when Nick Saban extended an offer from the University of Alabama.

"Coach Tucker had me call him," Cole said. "I talked to Coach Saban. He said he wanted to offer me a scholarship. I committed right then.

"He said they really enjoyed me coming to camp. They really liked how I played. They really like my film. He said I can play for them, and he wanted to offer me. I committed right then."

Cole was a standout at Alabama's camp last week which caught the attention of the entire coaching staff.

"It was a dream come true," Cole said about the offer. "I was speechless. I told him I really appreciated it. I told him I wanted to commit. I am going to go back down tomorrow and hang out.

"They have a heck of a resume. I really like Coach Kirby Smart. I like the way he teaches things. I really want him to be my coach. I really like their coaches. I like the way they coach. I really think I can fit in there with the way they run their defense."

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound prospect has the support of his family regarding the commitment to the Crimson Tide.

"My family is behind me 100-percent," Cole said. "I have been talking about it the past few days. We figured Bama was going to offer. We think it's the best opportunity for me to go there."

Cole also has offers from Jacksonville State and Wake Forest. He received rave reviews from the Alabama coaching staff and other coaches in attendance following his camp performance last week in Tuscaloosa.

https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1774205

 

[Bamabww]

The commitment
Alabama head coach Nick Saban is proved something to everyone today. He doesn't care how many stars or offers you have next to your name. He is going to work you out, evaluate your film and character. Then make his own decision on who he wants to offer.

It happened today when Coach Saban spoke with Riley Cole, linebacker from Oneonta High School in Ala., and extended him an offer. Cole, who also has offers from Wake Forest and Jacksonville State, immediately jumped on the opportunity presented to him by Coach Saban.

Cole has been recruited by Alabama for several months. The staff evaluated him during the spring, and invited to work out for one day in Tuscaloosa last week with Kirby Smart. Cole was one of the top overall performers at Alabama's camp last week. He expected to receive word from the Crimson Tide this week regarding a scholarship.

He received an offer from Wake Forest on Wednesday evening. The offer was a surprise to many only because he did not have more from Power-5 conference schools. It was a big splash for Alabama to throw its name in the ring on Thursday, and an easy decision for Cole.

A quick look at some current Bama players who were offered after summer camp prior to their senior season: JK Scott, Ronnie Harrison, Brandon Kennedy, JC Hassenauer, Keith Holcombe. Amari Cooper was also offered after he performed at camp prior to his senior season.

The player
Cole was a star at Alabama's camp last week, but it wasn't the first time the coaching staff took notice. Cole was on a lot of schools early radar as he shined during the camp circuit prior to the start of his junior season. He was first noticed at the Rivals Camp Series in Hoover in April 2014.

There are a lot of characteristics to like about Cole. He has excellent speed, instincts and overall knowledge of the game. He is quick to react and doesn't get caught up in trying to figure out what to do. He's an aggressive player, has long arms, and a lot of athletic ability. A few other things which jump out are his size (6-3, 215-pounds) and toughness.

He has a few things he can improve. He needs to continue to get stronger and add more weight. He is similar to 2014 signee Keith Holcombe. He can cover in open space, but will need to continue to develop his skills in the passing game. He had a terrific junior season accounting for 148 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and five sacks.

http://alabama.forums.rivals.com/threads/bone-what-it-means-riley-cole.10119/

 

[Destiny's Child]

Another effort kid... I like his film. Watch how fast he reads and reacts and then closes like a cheetah vs antelope. Needs to put on some good weight but will be a stud special teams player and work his way to an outside linebacker position.

enjoy...

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1418999/highlights/196174379/v2

 

[planomateo]

He's not 6'3"

 

[bama alum]

Glad to see an Oneonta kid come aboard. My former nephew who played there a few years ago never received a solid offer from Bama and he wound up at Samford, which is not a terrible deal for someone not bound for the NFL.

 

[UAgrad93]

Looks more in the 6'5"+ range compared to Saban.

 

[bamaraider]

3 star U