Interview: 2019 California LB/FB Thali Cobb is that Thumper on Both Sides of the Ball
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
You have to love guys like Thali Cobb. Cobb is the do-everything kind of guy that is the tone setter in practice, in games, and in the classroom bring it in everything that he does. At 6-0, 240, as an inside linebacker he is a run stopper who can cover and as a fullback he can move linemen and linebackers out of the hole and get the hard yards when called upon. Off the field, he carries a 4.02 GPA and has scored an 1140 on the SAT.
After his move from Pomona High School to Diamond Ranch for the 2018 season, I wanted to see how Cobb’s senior season turned out in an in-depth one-on-one interview.
Interview
Thali, how did your senior season go overall?
“I feel like it was mediocre. It was not what I expected, but I think I had a good season. There were better guys around me this year so I did not put up the stats I thought I might like last year. I liked it thought. It was better than last year. This year I was used more and in different ways. I was blitzing more and was used more in man coverage out of the 3-4. I had to man-up on running backs; that was fun. Stats wise, I was not as productive as last year but I think I had a better season.”
You put stats up on both sides of the ball, where all did you play during the 2018 season?
“I started at both fullback and at inside linebacker. Every now and again I would jump to the outside against a run team on short yardage plays on defense.”
Did you receive any postseason honors for your efforts?
“Yes. I was first team All-Defense.”
How did your game improve on defense this season?
“Last year at Pomona, I was in a 4-3 defense. I was a run stopping guy. I played all four downs, but I was always downhill. On passing plays I would drop but not too deep because I was always spying the quarterback. I did not blitz at all. This year, going into a new system I had to learn a lot more. I improved my football IQ. I know how to read plays from different positions now. I played end, a 1-tech, and I was used more in the front seven. I learned fits better. I would have to direct my defensive linemen and other guys on defense. That made me take more of a leadership role and I had more accountability this season.”
What about on offense, how did you shine on that side of the ball?
“Playing fullback my sophomore and junior year, I didn’t get the credit then. This year, I felt if I had the rock in my hands I could do something with it. I was running downhill, opening up holes for my running backs allowing them to make plays. I loved it. I was getting the ball, going downhill and doing what I needed to do. I got the rock a lot more. It was more fun on offense this season. I was used in different packages – I formation, line up in the slot – I’d go in motion and go kick someone out of the hole. Sometimes my QB would give me routes.”
Overall, which game this season was your best?
“I’d say our playoff game. I had three or four sacks and three or four tackles. On offense I was blowing the hole up and I got a few carries. We lost, but that was a good game for me.”
Since the offseason began, what have you been working on with your game?
“In season, I was big on my meal plan to stay energized and get my weight right. I am back on the meal plan to control my weight. My weight coach has given me a plan to get back to the 230 to 225 range.”
With recruiting, which schools are showing interest?
“Howard, Rice, and USC is looking at me for fullback. Some Ivy League schools are showing interest. They are waiting on my test scores. Most of the schools in the Sky Conference are showing interest as well.”
Which schools have offered?
“Williamette, Pomona-Pitzer, Occidental, and Rose-Hulman.”
Nice. Have you taken any official or unofficial visits?
“Yes. I have taken unofficial visits to Stanford, USC a couple of times, Pomona, Occidental, and Chapman.”
Do you have any planned visits upcoming?
“Yes. In January, I am planning on going to Cal-Lutheran, La Verne, Whittier, and Howard.”
What is your cumulative GPA?
“I have a 4.02.”
What is your best score on the ACT or SAT?
“I scored an 1140 on the SAT.”
Thali, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming visits.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Cobb Twitter; Thali Cobb in action and All-American honors