4-star LB Chris Cole down to six schools in his recruitment

Four-star Salem (Va.) High linebacker Chris Cole has narrowed his list to six schools, he announced Monday afternoon.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder is down to Virginia Tech, Penn State, Georgia, Miami, USC, and Tennessee.

Breaking down the finalists

Cole quickly broke down what stands out about each of his top schools:

Virginia Tech: I have a great relationship with the coaches and close to home.

Penn State: Great relationship with the whole staff and the culture. Great Academics #LBU

Georgia: The development on and off off the field, and they are a proven defensive program that gets players to the league. 

Miami: The best of both worlds. Great education, football, and family legacy. 

USC: They have elite education, great coaches, and the development for the next level. 

Tennessee: A rising program with a great coaching staff and great academic support.

Chris Cole Recruiting Profile

Cole ranks as the No. 53 player in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also tabs in as the No. 5 linebacker and the No. 1 player in the state of Virginia.

On3’s Scouting and Rankings team writes this about him as a prospect:

“Big-framed, toolsy linebacker with some of the highest physical upside at the position in the 2024 cycle. Measured in at around 6-foot-3, 210 pounds prior to his senior season. Has a long, high-hipped build with a big frame and plus length for the position. Arms have measured at 33 inches and hand checks in at over 10 inches. Registers as a top athlete in the combine setting. Doubles as a good track athlete with some impressive marks in the 55-meter hurdles. Began his high school career as a safety before adding considerable mass and growing into a linebacker. Lines up at various spots in the back half for his high school – playing as a hang linebacker, a center field safety and creeping up to the edge.

… Experienced playing in space. Effectively uses his long arms to corral ball carriers. Lowers his shoulder and drives through his tackles. Flashes some striking power and pop on contact. Also shows solid instincts in coverage. Finished his senior season with 76 tackles and 11 tackles for loss. Also showed some encouraging coordination while playing receiver. A long-strider who can take a few steps to get up to speed. Will need to continue developing and adjusting to playing linebacker. May need time to adjust, but has considerable developmental upside.”

He currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $132K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.