Position: Outside Linebacker

Committed: 6/11/2015

Hometown: Oneonta, AL

TDAL Star Rating: 4

Height: 6’3” Weight: 215 lbs.

Athletic Measurables: 

Riley Cole may not be the biggest guy on the field, but he’s probably one of the fastest, and one of the best players out there. He currently sits at 215 and will probably come in at 230-235 when he gets to Tuscaloosa. At 6’3″, there’s huge frame building upside to him, which will only elevate his game. At 6’3″, 235 pounds, Riley Cole could become a household name for Alabama fans.

Instincts & Technique: 

Riley Cole is the type of guy you want on your team and the type of guy coaches love on and off of the field, a very humble and well rounded kid off the field and on the field a guy who is always around the ball. He has that natural instinct to get to the ball carrier better than a lot of recruits in this class. Cole has great speed and agility, (4.62), which seems to be his biggest key in having that natural instinct and will undoubtedly benefit him at the next level. The most impressive thing about Cole is his football I.Q., he just flat out can play football. He hits his gaps, does what he is told and seems to always know how to adjust and make the play. These type of instincts will work in his favor at Alabama.

Strengths & Weaknesses: 

Strengths: Cole’s biggest strengths are his speed, his fluid movement and his football IQ, which is something we have seen in a lot of Alabama linebackers in the recent past.

Weaknesses: The one thing that was stated before was that in order for him to really be a successful outside linebacker at Alabama, he will need to build on his frame, if he can add another 20 pounds to his frame, he could see some impact quicker than most.

Reminds Me Of: 

Riley Cole to me is the sleeper pick up of this class, he is a ballhawk who will be productive with the playing time you give him. Between his football IQ and instincts, he reminds me a lot of Vinny Sunseri with a little bit of C.J. Mosley in there.

CLICK HERE TO SEE RILEY COLE’S JUNIOR HIGHLIGHTS

Justin Wagner is the Lead Recruiting Analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine,  Follow him on Twitter, at @jwag718 as well as Touchdown Alabama’s Recruiting Twitter @tdarecruiting.