Miami Offer Took Legacy Recruit Cole 'By Surprise'
The first half-dozen scholarship offers are in for class of 2024 Salem (Va.) High School linebacker Chris Cole -- but the latest one hit a little bit different when it came in.
The emerging prospect, listed at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, picked up an offer from the program that produced his uncle at a similar position.
Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Miami !! Thank you for the opportunity🙌. #legacy @CanesFootball @coach_cristobal @dtrain2901 @Romarley @dhglover @CoachHolter0623 @RivalsFriedman @BrianDohn247 @MohrRecruiting @adamgorney @VaPrepsRivals @DemetricDWarren… pic.twitter.com/ykdhk8hp46
— Chris Cole (@Chris_Cole3) February 20, 2023
Miami jumping in for Cole was both exciting and unexpected, he admitted to All Hurricanes shortly after receiving the news Monday.
"I’ve been in contact with Dennis Smith for the last few days and head coach (Mario) Cristobal Face Timed me today and offered me a full scholarship," he said. "It really took me by surprise. It was very exciting to get the news, he is a cool coach to talk with and he can’t wait for me and family to come down there to visit the campus.
"Also he talked about how good my uncle was and we have a similar play style."
Beyond the surprise of the offer, yet another among Power Five programs already to his name, Cole says the next step is setting up the family trip to Coral Gables.
Neither side will have to wait very long.
"We plan to come down this spring for a visit," he said. "The University of Miami has always had a great program. I want to be apart of my uncle Rohan’s legacy because I love my family. I also love what Coach Cristobal is doing with the program.
"Rohan thinks that his alma mater is great, there is no place like home. He thinks that this is the best program for what we want to build, he really loves where the program is going and he has great admiration for Coach Cristobal."
Uncle Ro wassup with the “U”?#family#UniversityofMiami pic.twitter.com/4D6Tu7qVHV
— Chris Cole (@Chris_Cole3) February 14, 2023
While the family ties to The U won't hurt the program make up ground in the Cole recruitment, there are plenty of other options and visits upcoming before a decision is to be finalized.
"UVA, Virginia Tech, Miami, Texas A&M, Duke, Vanderbilt , West Virginia, ODU as of right now possibly Oregon, too," Cole said of campuses he is trying to get to in short order.
As a junior, Cole was credited with 80 tackles, including 12 for loss, and an interception for a 10-win program.
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