UCLA Football Recruiting: OL Thomas Cole Commits to the Bruins
UCLA Football Recruiting: OL Thomas Cole Commits to the Bruins
Chip Kelly has picked up the biggest offensive commitment so far of the 2021 recruiting class.
(Photo Credit: @ThomasCole_SLO)
The UCLA football 2021 recruiting class grew again yesterday when offensive lineman Thomas Cole announced his commitment to the Bruins. Cole may be the most significant offensive recruit since Sean Rhyan.
UCLA beat out UC Berkeley and Michigan to land Cole.
Cole is 6â7â tall and weighs in at 255 pounds. So, it would seem like Cole may need to redshirt when he arrives in Westwood in order to bulk up a bit as his weight is a little low for an offensive lineman, especially someone with his height.
Of course, one benefit of being lighter is that Cole seems to be quick.
Watching his junior year offensive highlights, Cole seems to be able to move defenders out of his way at will. Thatâs certainly a good thing. The Bruins need more offensive linemen who can do that.
My concern, though, after watching the video is that he may be playing against very inferior opponents. Why is that a concern? Because Cole seems to be able to frequently drive his opposing defensive end all the way into the secondary.
It looks like opposing teams arenât trying to create an even matchup against Cole. Thatâs how much Cole is moving his opponents around the field.
The thing is that, as he moves to the next level, Cole will not be able to keep doing that. It also explains why Cole will need to bulk up. Cole wonât be able to use his height and technique to just push Pac-12 edge rushers around the way he did in high school.
The problem from UCLAâs standpoint is that the Bruins may not be able to redshirt a guy like Cole. The talent drain that has happened under Chip Kelly has left the team depleted overall and the Bruins may just need him to start when he arrives in Westwood.
All of that said, it doesnât change the fact that Cole is a very big pickup for the Bruins. Hopefully, he will be able to play up to his potential and then some and help out the team on the offensive line.
After all, the mantra is that âLine wins gamesâ and that makes Thomas Coleâs commitment a very significant one for the 2021 recruiting class.
Welcome to Westwood, Thomas!
Go Bruins!!!
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This is a good get. He's the top rated O Lineman in California. We might have caught a break when he couldn't travel to Michigan for a visit, but we'll take it. And it's a good sign to win a recruit versus programs like Michigan and Utah. You're right that 255 is kind of light for a lineman, esp at tackle where he's likely slotted, but you can't coach tall and he has some time to grow and eat and fill out that 6'7" frame.
I did get a brief flash of PTSD watching his video, though. He's from San Luis Obispo, and some of those clips are on a field with an SM at midfield, which I'd guess is nearby Santa Maria. When I was a sophomore in HS, I got moved up to varsity for CIF playoffs and we played our second round game there. We scored a go ahead touchdown with less than a minute left in the game and we were looking at our school's first ever CIF semi-final appearance, and then those clowns completed like a 70 yard miracle hook and lateral to steal the win in the closing seconds. Fuckers.
Anyway...I like that mantra. Welcome to Westwood, Thomas!