Interview: 3-Star 2019 LB Cole Aubrey Gives Recruiting Update with No. 8 Oaks Christian Preview

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Every Trinity League team preparing to go up against Cole Aubrey (6-2, 225) over the past three seasons have known about his ability to put pressure on the quarterback and end running plays in the backfield. During his sophomore and junior seasons, he was doing it with a hand in the ground, but this season he is doing it as a true outside linebacker, and still having amazing success. The stats through 12 games has Aubrey with 67 stops, 38 solo, 24.5 tackles for a loss, and 14.5 sacks for nationally ranked No. 1 St. John Bosco (12-0). The Braves have rolled through the first two rounds of the playoffs beating Serra (49-0) and San Clemente (56-6), but get a big challenge against No. 8 nationally ranked Oaks Christian on Friday.

Ahead of the big showdown, I caught up with the three-star ranked recruit for a quick overview on the Braves playoff run with a preview of the Oaks Christian game and an update on his recruiting process.

*Click link for Sept. 30, 2018, RNG video interview with Cole Aubrey

Interview

Cole, you have always been a sack master, you’ve just been able to showcase it in a different way this season. What are some of the things you are doing allowing you to create chaos in the opposition’s backfield this season?

“This year has gone well from a personal standpoint and with the team. I am at 14.5 going into the Oaks game. I have gotten better at fine-tuning my moves. Getting stronger in the weight room has helped. I feel that I am more versatile this year with what I can do, I can mix it up. That has shown this year.”

The defense is only allowing 12 points on average this season and has only given up six points in two playoff games. Are you guys as unit stepping it up and playing at a higher level now?

“Yeah. We started out strong. Since the Mater Dei game, we have kicked it up a notch. From a senior leadership standpoint, it is going well. We are playing with passion and it is clicking.

What’s the difference?

“Schematically, nothing really. Against Mater Dei, we played well. We feel that we are the best defense in the nation. We are trying to prove it every week.”

You take the field on Friday against No. 8 Oaks Christian. They have a run-first, run-second, and run-third approach to their offense. What will the in-game match-up look like for you?

(Laughs) “Their running back (Zach Charbonnet) is a dude. There has not been a team that has run against us consistently. He is at another level, but we will play well and slow him down. Once we do that, we will be in good hands.”

Is there a fair comparison to what you will see against Oaks Christian to a team you have played earlier in the season?

“Yeah. The closest team is JSerra, they are a ground and pound team. They have a good running back in Chris Street. I think we did well against him. If we keep that same intensity, we should be good.”

You have the 17 offers, which schools are showing interest?

“I get coaches reaching out every now and again, coaches from Rice, UConn, and Northwestern.”

Aubrey’s Offer Sheet: Arkansas State, Boston College, Army, Yale, Columbia, Air Force, Georgetown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Montana State, Princeton, Brown, Pennsylvania, Fordham, Holy Cross, Harvard, and San Jose State

Which schools have you visited during the season?

“I took an unofficial visit to Princeton early in the season. I plan on doing all my officials once the season is over.”

Have you determined your five official visits yet?

“No. I am not 100 percent sure. I want to visit Princeton and West Point. I will take all five. I will have a better idea when the season is over with my five official visits.”

Cole, always great catching up with you. I appreciate your time and good luck on Friday against Oaks Christian.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: St. John Bosco; Cole Aubrey flies for the quarterback