Interview: 2021 QB Cole Lourd is Carving Up Defenses for Brentwood

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

A few varsity snaps coupled with an entire season at the junior varsity level as a freshman is paying off for Cole Lourd in 2018. The super sophomore is carving up opposing California defenses for Brentwood High School drawing national recruiting interest along the way.

The numbers and meaningful statistics are piling up for Lourd. The 6-2, 185-pound, field general has hit 79 of 124 passes for 1,297 yards with 15 touchdowns tossed. Completing 64 percent of his passes is fantastic, but more importantly he only has one interception thrown this year. All numbers taken to another level, the Eagles are 5-0 on the season ready to cruise through the Gold Coast League with a balanced attack on offense.

Lourd’s developing game is drawing a recruiting crowd to the Los Angeles area. With an offer on the table from Florida Atlantic teams like LSU, Houston, Washington State, Boston College, and Texas are all showing interest. Worth noting that the Longhorns could have a workable “in” with Lourd as a legacy player. LSU may have an edge as well as his father attend college in Baton Rouge.

In a Recruiting News Guru mid-season catch-up interview, I got a few minutes with Lourd going over the first five games of the season with a quick recruiting update.

*Click link for Feb. 6, 2018, RNG interview with Cole Lourd

Interview

Cole, how has the 2018 season started off for you personally on the field?

“It is going pretty good. We are 5-0, I believe that is the best start we have ever had. I know we have our highest ranking ever on MaxPreps, that is good. We have merged well as a team. We beat Palisades, that was a big win for our team. Everything is going right. If we have messed up in a game, we have come back from it. Our team chemistry is very good.”

You are doing a fantastic job of protecting the ball with a 15-1 touchdown-interception ratio, what are you doing on the field allowing you to be so accurate and productive?

“We have a very good balance between our running and passing. We will get a big run play, then they will try to run blitz us but we will pass over the top of them. I am doing a good job of protecting the ball and extending the play; I am either running for yards or throwing the ball away. I do not want to throw picks and put our defense on the field. It is my job to protect the ball.”

How are you seeing your overall game progress this season?

“My feel for the game. It was hard starting the season not knowing what to expect. I was leaving the pocket early and not reading the progressions; I was not allowing the reads to happen. With more in-game experiences, I am more comfortable in the offense. My teammates and coaches telling me what I am doing wrong which is helping. The constructive criticisms are helping. It is different going from JV to varsity.”

What are some of the areas of your game you consistently work on week after week?

“In practice, I am working on my pocket presence and going through my reads. I am working on recognizing defenses, my audibles, developing chemistry with my receivers, running the ball – almost everything. I am working with QB coaches over the weekend to stay sharp as well. I am constantly working at being my best.”

The Eagles are 5-0 this season. Even though perfect, there have been some tough games, which game was the toughest for you and how did that challenge make you a better quarterback?

“The toughest games have been between Pasadena Poly and Palisades. In the Poly game, we had a rough first half. Going in the locker room, I had to change my mindset. I was lights out in the second half. I had cruised through the first two games, that first half was tough, but I did what I had to do and we got the win.

“In the Palisades game, I threw my first pick of the season. It was a bad pick, but good to get it out of the way and learn from it. In the first half, we were driving the ball but we had some plays that broke down especially in the red zone. In the third quarter, we were tired but kept fighting. In the fourth, we drove down the field scored, then our defense got a fumble and we drove down again for the win (14-13). That was crazy. They are a very good team. They may have the best secondary I have faced.”

You guys just rolled Maranatha (Pasadena) 42-9, how did that game go for you?

“It went well. I protected the ball, did what I should do, and extended plays so we could make plays. They were a pretty good team. Our defense did really well. We ran the ball well; in the red zone our balance helps. Our running backs got to score some touchdowns in that game. I had fun and made some throws I needed to make.”

You guys get St. Bernard this Friday, what kind of game are you expecting from their defense?

“We are expecting a good game. They are athletic with a good size line. After watching their film, they are pretty good. But, I think we can score points on them and our defense can hold them. We need a quick start, we can’t let them hang in with us. We are not underestimating them, and we are excited for the game.”

If you guys can pick up another win on Friday, what do you see happening the rest of the regular season?

“I feel we can run the table, but we will see what happens.”

Going into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?

“I camped at LSU this summer, that went really well. I was moved up to the senior group and worked with Coach (Steve) Ensminger (offensive coordinator). I am going to LSU for their game against Bama (Nov. 3) on an unofficial. Boston College is another school showing a lot of interest as well as North Texas. There are a few coaches from a lot of schools following me on Twitter. USC is also showing a little bit of interest. I have been developing a relationship with Coach (Tee) Martin (offensive coordinator).”

Last question. Which college football games did you watch on Saturday and what stood out to you?

“I watched the LSU verses Louisiana Tech game; LSU won. Louisiana Tech is well-coached. The Texas verses TCU game impressed me. Texas did well and came back for the win. My grandpa and uncle both played there, so I was cheering for the Longhorns.”

Cole, thanks for your time today and good luck with St. Bernard this Friday.

“Thank you.”

 

Photo credit: Samuel Mawanda of MaxPreps; No. 7 Cole Lourd