Interview: 3-Star 2021 Arkansas LB Cole Joyce Updates Season and UCF Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
As three-star recruiting rankings go, Class of 2021 linebacker Cole Joyce is as good, if not better, than it gets. The 6-0, 225-pound, defender is a magnet to the pigskin earning Defensive Player of the Year and Arkansas All-State honors at the end of his junior campaign. After taking down 104 ball carriers with seven sacks, three pass deflections, eight fumbles forced while picking up two fumbles, and blocking a kick, he is back leading Bentonville High School to a top 7A playoff seed. The Tigers are 7-0 with their standout on defense tallying 66 stops, two picks, two QB hurries, and a forced fumble so far.
With 12 offers on the table, on June 8, 2020, Joyce verbally committed to Central Florida discarding the recruiting distractions for a run at a state title. To catch up on his progress during his senior season, Joyce stopped by the RNG Lab for another confab.
*Read Cole Joyce’s UCF Knights commitment interview on RNG
Interview
Cole, the way the Tigers 2020 season has started off, this kind of seems like the dream. You guys are 7-0, took down out of state competition from Missouri and Kansas, and over the past four games are clicking on both sides of the ball putting up big points with the defense locking down. What are you seeing from the team so far this season?
I think it was a struggle to get back where we needed to be after the lost team camps and offseason practices creating the bond that we would normally have. In Game 1, we got really close as a team with that shared dream that we need to win state.
As a complete unit, how is the defense getting after teams in 2020?
We have this thing, Ole Miss did it, we are the Land Sharks. We call ourselves the Land Sharks. This season we are getting a whole bunch of turnovers. We have a lot of momentum going and we are getting offenses on their heels making teams struggle.
Where are you lining up in the scheme and what are your responsibilities?
We run a 3-4, I am the strongside middle linebacker. I have pass coverage and run read responsibilities.
Over the offseason, how did you prepare from a strength, speed, and conditioning standpoint for your senior campaign?
Since the virus happened, I had to make time with a private trainer getting after it when no one else was doing anything. I focused on working on my speed and strength.
Which technical areas of your game did you fine-tune?
I was fine-tuning my reads, my agility, and putting my foot in the ground going the other way to make those tackles.
Where are you showing the improvements in your abilities on the field?
I would say I am making a lot more tackles, fitting in my gaps faster, and my pass reads are better. This year, I had never had a pick, I have two this season. I am covering up those receivers and getting those picks.
Nice. How are offenses coming after your or scheming against you?
In non-conference, they did not know me so it was pretty normal like last year. In conference games, I am seeing a lot of double-teams, on outside zone plays I am getting crack blocks and some barriers to keep me from getting to the play.
What’s been the biggest challenge for you so far this season?
Keeping the team grounded and reminding people of our goal. We are keeping it one game at a time. We have to get to state, and we have to keep going at it one game at a time.
Rogers (4-1) is coming your way on Friday. What kind of matchup are they providing for you guys in this 7A West showdown?
They are a pretty good team. We are very confident, but we respect their offense. They have been putting up points. We have to key on their quarterback and running back.
Turning to recruiting. Since your commitment to Central Florida in June, how have you worked to build that bond with the Knights coaching staff?
It has been really good. Being able to watch their games and knowing I will be there, it has been great. Their coaches are wishing me luck before my games. After the commitment, we’ve been really good at creating the bond instead of them worrying if I was coming or not. With that uncertainty out of the way, everything has grown.
Are you picking up any pointers or tips from Knights’ defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Randy Shannon? If so, what advice or help is he providing?
Yes, we’ve talked a lot about it. We’ve talked about me overrunning plays and working on staying behind the ball so you don’t overrun the play. He is a really good coach; I am excited to be with him next season.
Cole, as always, it has been great catching up with you. Wishing you and the Tigers success the rest of the way.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Joyce family; Cole Joyce