Interview with Wesleyan High School CB/FS Cole Mannion

Written by Ryan Wright

The college camp circuits are over for high school football players leaving a final resume builder of a senior season to prove worthy of a scholarship offer. Countless Class of 2016 players who have worked for years to hone their skill sets have at least 10 games to impress, endure, and, even in some cases, outlast that other player on the college recruiting board for that prized offer.

One of the many with the determination, size, speed, and skill to take his talents to the next level is Cole Mannion.

Mannion is a cornerback/safety for Wesleyan High School in Norcross, Georgia. When the 2014 season ended the Wolves had put together a 6-5 season seeing Mannion grow game by game as a first-year starter at corner. Mannion had an impressive stat line that included 41 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions.

After another offseason of working on his craft, the 6’1”, 185 pound, senior is expected to line up at cornerback and safety while getting some looks at outside receiver showing his athletic versatility and flexing his 4.55 speed.

Mannion enters the 2015 season with a lot of forward momentum after successful camps at Lehigh, Elon, Davidson, and Mercer coupled with another truly impressive stat line, his academic record. Mannion posted a 29 on his ACT and carries a 3.4 cumulative GPA into his senior year.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I sat down with Mannion ahead of getting ready for Wesleyan’s fall camp to get an update on his progress over the offseason and received his thoughts on how he sees the 2015 season playing out.

Interview
Playing cornerback it truly feels like you are on an island sometimes. With last season being your first year as a starter what were some of the things you learned from that experience that will help you throughout your senior season?

“The biggest part was like you said, you’re on an island out there and if you get beat deep it’s on you. That is one thing that I will take with me into this year and that is to stay on top of the routes and making sure I don’t busting any coverages.”

What were some of the things you did well last year as a starter at cornerback?

“I think I played well. I think I was a pretty good tackler for the most part. If the ball came my way I was a sure tackler when everything came to the outside.”

What have you been working on in the offseason that will make you an improved player during your senior year?

“I’ve been doing a lot of agility stuff with a trainer and I’ve been working out everyday doing offseason stuff with our school trainer. I think doing those things will help me during my senior year. I’ve done a lot of drills working on press coverage and being able to watch the quarterback and pay attention to the routes more and being able to move my hips better.”

How do the Wolves look going into the 2015 season?

“We look awesome. We have 25 returning seniors and I think we have 11 starters returning on defense. We have most of our same skill position players back on offense. I think we’ll have a really successful season and hopefully we’ll be playing until December.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“First I want to win a championship. That is our main goal to win a championship and compete throughout the playoffs. In the past two years we’ve made it to the first round of the playoffs and then lost. This year the goal is to take it to the next level.”

Do you have any personal goals for the 2015 season? Do you have a stat line you want to achieve for the upcoming season?

“I want to improve my stats from last year but mainly anything I can do to help us win honestly. If there are games were I don’t have any stats but we shut the team out I’ll be fine.”

I know you played some receiver as a sophomore, will we see you playing multiple positions this season?

“I think I’ll be playing a lot of safety this year too, safety and corner. I’m getting a lot of reps at outside receiver. I’ll be a two-way player this year.”

Have you had a chance to look at the 2015 schedule yet and if so is there a game or two that you are excited to play?

“Yeah, definitely, our final game of the year against our biggest rival Greater Atlanta Christian. We’ve lost to them the past couple of years and we definitely want to turn that around. Honestly our first game I am looking forward to a lot against Walker. It’s our first home game and hopefully we get to start the season off on the right foot.”

Which college camps did you go to in the offseason?

“I went to Mercer, then Elon, Davidson, and then flew up to Philadelphia and did a camp at Lehigh.”

How was the Lehigh camp?

“It went awesome. I thought I did really well. Their offensive coordinator, Drew Folmar, took me and another kid from Georgia for a visit around the school, around the campus, and the athletic facilities. I liked it a lot. I thought the campus was beautiful. I really liked their football facilities too. The camp was good. We did some one-on-one stuff, that was fun, and we did some agility drills and stuff like that.”

Where did Lehigh leave everything with you in regards to recruiting?

“I’ve been staying in touch with their recruiting coordinator for Georgia (Coach Folmar). I’ll send them my senior film and we’ll go from there.”

How did the Mercer camp go for you?

“That was more of a whole day camp. We did a lot of position specific drills and finished with one-on-ones. We did a lot of – most camps you do agility drills and then you do position specific drills. I thought I played really well during that camp.”

Where was everything left with Mercer when you left their camp?

“They said they want to see my senior film.”

What type of feedback have you received from these colleges when they have talked to you about your game?

“They like how I get after the ball and how I play strong.”

All things being equal, let’s say you end your senior year with 10 great offers, what are the main factors that will influence where you go to play college ball?

“I’d like to go to a prestigious academic school. Playing time is a big factor too and how the coaches talk to you and what the other players say about playing there.”

Is there a NFL player you watch to try to learn more about the game and how to play the position?

“Yeah for sure, Darrelle Revis I’ve watched him for years. He’s definitely a good one to watch.”

Do you play any other sports for Wesleyan?

“Yeah, I play baseball.”

How did your season go this year in baseball?

“We actually just won the state championship. That was really cool.”

What position or positions did you play for the Wolves?

“Centerfield, and really all of the outfield positions.”

What has been your most memorable moment in high school football so far?

“Last year we had a very intense game against Pace Academy. We won in overtime (23-17). It was crazy. It was an away game but we had a ton of students there. It was really cool. Our defense forced a fumble on their goal line. We were able to score on the next possession. It was just really cool. We forced a fumble late in the fourth quarter on one of their possessions and I recovered the fumble.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“Just being out there with all of my teammates. It is so much fun to play along side some of your best friends. It’s just fun. I like representing my school off the field and our football program.”

Photo credit: Bryan Morgan; No. 21 Cole Mannion.