2019 3-Star OLB Cole Aubrey Talks Princeton Visit, Mater Dei Win, and JSerra Showdown

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

A small change on the field can end up making the biggest differences. Over the past two seasons, Cole Aubrey has been a devastating edge rusher consistently putting pressure on the opposition’s quarterback with a knack for tracking down hopeful ball carriers behind the line of scrimmage. During his senior year, Aubrey is rounding out his game with No. 2 ranked St. John Bosco to include playing a true outside linebacker role that includes getting after the quarterback, stopping the run, and dropping back into coverage. So far, the small changes are making a big difference for Aubrey’s game and for the Braves defense.

It is one thing to put up stats at the high school level, it is another thing to do it against Trinity League competition. When Aubrey finished his junior campaign, he had come up with 72 tackles, 29 tackles for a loss, 15 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery helping Bosco to an end of season No. 3 national ranking. If that was not enough, college coaches wanted to see more of the 6-2, 225-pound, defender, so he worked even harder in the offseason to add more skills to his game as a standup linebacker. The payoff has been a team-leading 32 tackles team-high, 22 solo, and six sacks. But, even the stat line is a misrepresentation of Aubrey’s talents. In five games played, the Braves are racking up walk-away wins averaging 54 points per game while limiting the opposition to just nine points, and that is with most of the starters on the bench for the second half; Aubrey included.

Colleges have responded to the talents of the three-star rated recruit with 16 offers being extended from Arkansas State, Boston College, Army, Yale, Columbia, Air Force, Georgetown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Montana State, Princeton, Brown, Pennsylvania, Harvard, and San Jose State. The multitude of opportunities to impress college coaches across the country still lay ahead with games against nationally ranked No. 15 JSerra Catholic on Friday and No. 1 Mater Dei on Oct. 12 before heading into a tough Southern Section playoff run that could lead to a California and national title.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized mid-season catch-up interview, I sat down with Aubrey after an unofficial visit to Princeton and ahead of a big showdown against rival JSerra for an update on his position change and recruiting with a look ahead to the big game.

*Click link for July 15, 2018, RNG interview with Cole Aubrey

Interview

Cole, before the season began we talked about you adding a new dimension to your game as a standup outside linebacker, how is that going for you this season?

“It is going great. We have not run a ton of it in the pre-season (out of conference) because we’ve had a lot of blow out games. When I have done it, it is going well. I can now show that I am able to rush the passer and drop back in coverage. Stay tuned for Trinity League, I will be showcasing that a lot then. I am excited for that.”

From the first practice trying out the new role to the last game against Chaminade, where are you seeing the biggest improvements as an outside linebacker?

“Improvements – I am feeling more comfortable in open space. Getting more and more reps is helping with that and my overall game at outside linebacker.”

Are you still getting a lot of opportunities to come off the edge as a rush end on passing downs?

“Yes. I am primarily an edge rusher, but I can do multiple things now.”

Where are you seeing your game improve in that capacity?

“I feel like this year the biggest thing is I am more physical. I worked hard in the weight room in the offseason. With my pass rush I am no longer just a speed guy, now I can speed to power move. My game is a lot better.”

Of the five games played, which one has been your best thus far?

“My best game was Mililani (52-14). They are a pass heavy team, and a good team. They are one of the top Hawaii teams. I had four sacks in that game; that was fun.”

They maybe big rivals, but did you watch IMG Academy take on Mater Dei on Friday?

“Yes.”

What did you think of the game?

“It was cool to watch. I know a lot of the guys on both teams. It was fun to see them compete.”

Did anything standout to you from the game?

“I was impressed with the physicality. When we play Mater Dei, we will show them some stuff. I was happy they won repping the west coast (28-24).”

You guys get No. 15 nationally ranked JSerra this Friday, what kind of game are you expecting from the Lions’ offense?

“They are a physical team, we will prepare for that. Going into the game, we have the mindset to match their physicality and punch them in the mouth early to get a win like last year.”

Going into recruiting, how many offers do you have now?

“I have 16 offers.”

Which offers have been your most recent?

“Fordham and Pennsylvania.”

It appears that you have an offer from every Ivy League school, how does that feel?

“It is a tremendous honor. The most recent honor from UPenn, that could give me the opportunity to go to Wharton School of Business – that would be crazy. I appreciate that opportunity. The opportunity to attend all these amazing schools is a big honor.”

What is the coolest way a program has offered you?

“That is a tough one. When I got offered by Air Force, that was pretty cool. I had a long talk with Coach (Jake) Campbell at school. After we talked for a while, he had a certificate, it was an offer on paper. It read this is $500,000 worth of education we are rewarding to you. That was cool.”

Have you taken any visits yet this fall?

“Yes. I went to Princeton on an unofficial for their game last week.”

How did the Princeton visit go?

“It went really well. I went with my teammate Jake Bailey; we had a good time. I got to talk to Coach (Bob) Surace (head coach) and Coach (Steve) Verbit (defensive coordinator) while I was there. Besides seeing the game atmosphere, it was great to spend a lot of time with the players and talking to them. I got to see what life is like for them every day.”

Do you have any other planned visits upcoming?

“I am going to Air Force on an unofficial for their game against Boise State game. I am trying to visit West Point at some point this season. I have a great relationship with the coaches there. When I got back from Princeton I had 11 hand-written letters from their coaching staff. I appreciate the effort they are putting into me. I was proud of them, they almost beat Oklahoma. I don’t have anything planned with Army yet but would love to visit them.”

What is important for you to see on visits? What are you wanting to learn about a university and/or a football program?

“That is a great question. It is important to see if the coaches put effort into me, if they really want me. If my position coach or the head coach spends time with me, I like that. At Princeton, I talked to current players a lot asking them about the academics and everyday life. I can get a better picture if I were to go there.”

I’ve been asking just about everybody this, which four teams do you think will make the College Football Playoff?

“Another good question. Right now, definitely Alabama, Georgia too, Clemson, and I guess maybe Ohio State. Not many underdogs in there.”

Cole, thanks for your time today and good luck on Friday against JSerra.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Cole Aubrey post-game