Commitment Day Primer: 4-star LB Chris Cole to decide
The day is here for Salem (Va.) four-star linebacker Chris Cole. Cole is set to make his college commitment public on Sunday.
Cole is the No. 51 overall prospect in the 2024 On3 Rankings. He is fresh off his final official visit. The four-star linebacker was in Knoxville on Saturday visiting Tennessee.
Cole also took an official visit to USC back on Sept. 2. Georgia got Cole on campus over the summer for an official visit back on June 16.
Cole saw his chatter with Georgia explode as the Bulldogs seemed to make a major run on linebackers in the summer after five-star Demarcus Riddick flipped to Auburn. In-state five-star Sammy Brown also landed elsewhere as he committed to Clemson.
Georgia landed commitments from five-star Justin Williams and four-star Kris Jones in the month of July. Cole has been the other prospect Georgia has been heavily involved with as well.
In-state Virginia Tech has gotten Cole on campus more than any other program. Cole visited the in-state Hokies 10 times throughout his recruitment. He also took an official visit to Virginia Tech back on June 9.
When, who and where for Chris Cole’s announcement
Time: Approximately 6 p.m. EST.
Finalists: Georgia, Tennessee, USC, Miami and Virginia Tech
Where: CBS’s Sports’ 247 Sports and Cole’s Instagram live @ _Chrisdatboii.
What has he said about Georgia?
Georgia has made a major impression on Cole throughout his recruitment. The Bulldogs put on the full-court press for Cole during the summer.
Cole’s first time on campus was a memorable moment. It was a big factor in vaulting Georgia into Cole’s recruitment.
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“The culture is amazing with the main focus on hard work both mentally and physically,” Cole said back on June 22. “Any program that wins Natty’s back-to-back sets itself apart from the rest. They are elite and at the top for a reason. Head coach, coaching staff, support staff, facilities, community and last but certainly not least; strong academics. They are an elite program. When the top program expresses that they don’t just want you, but needs you, that says a lot.”
Kirby Smart made an impression while Cole was on campus as well.
“It was great,” Cole said. “Coach Smart was down to earth and a builder of men on and off the field. He was genuine and unscripted…The thing I noticed about Georgia Coaching Staff is they want their guys to win at life; just as much as they want to win games.”
Big picture for Georgia
Georgia has two blue-chip linebackers committed already. If Cole were to join the fold, he’d still bring a skillset that could do some things Williams and Jones don’t.
Cole could make his way out in space as a safety hybrid type with a blend of speed and size. Cole would also provide some pass rush.
The linebacker room in Athens is already stacked. Georgia has a group of Smael Mondon, Jamon Dumas-Johnson, and Xavian Sorey already playing key roles. Freshman CJ Allen has already cracked the varsity rotation.
Raylen Wilson saw some time on Saturday. Another former four-star Troy Bowles is working himself into favor as well. Those guys could all go to the NFL one day and it could be soon.
Georgia has made it clear that the goal is to accumulate as much talent in that group as possible.
