Interview: 3-Star 2021 Oregon TE Carson Cota Adding Multiple Roles to Field Resume
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
When the 2019 high school football season had ended, junior tight end Carson Cota had added another dimension to his game as a every down player. With his hand in the dirt as an extra offensive tackle or seeing his No. 84 jersey streak past linebackers and safeties, Cota was an intricate piece of the offensive puzzle for South Medford High School. With his body continuing to mature adding more size, speed, and strength to his overall game, Cota’s roles on the Panthers’ squad will advance in 2020.
The combined skills of blocking and receiving earned Cota second team All-League honors a year ago. He pulled down 25 passes for 333 yards with two touchdowns scored. This offseason, Cota has trimmed down now stretching the tape and tipping the scales at 6-4.5, 225-pounds. Coming into the 2020 season lighter, Cota will get a chance to frustrate 6A Oregon defenses even more playing that new era tight end hybrid role with the potential of lining up tight, in the slot, and even out wide.
During his junior campaign, Cota spent limited time on the Panthers’ defense, called in for short-yardage and goal line situations in the trenches. The three-star recruit showed he could get it done registering seven tackles, four solo, with a tackle for a loss, and a sack. Once the 2020 season is underway, college coaches will get to see an even more versatile side of Cota as a two-way starter.
With three offers on the table and interest rising, I sat down with one of the state of Oregon’s top 2021 recruits for an in-depth talk about his abilities on the field and recruiting options off.
Interview
Carson, your gifts on the field came through during the 2019 season as a blocking and receiving threat in the Panthers offense. How do you feel about the year you produced on the field?
“Before this year, I did not play varsity. I felt good playing varsity last season. It was great getting that exposure for coaches to see. I had a pretty good season; I was second team All-League. On defense, I could have helped out more, but we don’t typically start players both ways really.”
What offensive set did the Panthers run in 2019?
“We did more I-formation.”
How were you utilized within the scheme?
“We were a 50-50 run pass. I did a lot of blocking and went out on routes. They like me down the middle.”
In which ways did you see your game further develop as a blocker?
“Through coaching tips. I worked with our offensive line coach. He wanted me to get a better punch and drive my feet more; that worked well for me this season. I was getting off the ball quick this season.”
And what about as a receiving threat?
“I got faster by the end of the year. My routes got better, as I did more in practice. This offseason, I am working on that. I am working on my routes and speed.”
You also played some on defense, how did that go?
“They put me in on goal line packages at defensive end. I think it went well. Playing end gets me more tenacious, and it gets my energy up. On offense you need to be calm and collected, but on defense you can explode into someone.”
What roles will you have on the field in 2020?
“This year I will have a bigger role. During the offseason, I have worked on my speed. I am a lot faster. Timing my 40, I was at a 5.1 last season. Now, I am in the lower 4.8 and high 4.7. I will have a bigger receiving role this season. They might put me outside and in the slot. On defense, I’m not sure yet. They might play me at outside linebacker because of my quickness and some at defensive end coming off the edge. I will be starting on defense; they will need me on both sides of the ball this year.”
With everything limited, what has been your daily routine to keep sharp?
“We have a gym upstairs. I lift with my dad and brother (Chase Cota). My brother is back from LA (UCLA WR). We go to a park in Ashland and run eight hill sprints to work on explosiveness. We also go out to the field in Medford and run routes out there.”
Looking to the summer, are there any camps you may compete at on the college circuit?
“Sure. I am going to Oregon State, probably Oregon Saturday Night Live, and I will try to go to an Arizona State camp too. If they have it, I want to go to Portland’s Dick Sporting Goods Combine.”
Turning to recruiting, which schools are showing interest?
“Oregon State has shown interest along with Oregon, Boise State, Nevada, and Arizona State.”
How many offers are you holding?
“Three; Georgia Tech, Oregon, and Utah State.”
Before the campuses were closed for the dead period, did you get a chance to take any visits going back to last season?
“I was going to Cal’s Junior Day, but I got sick and did not get to go. Oregon, I was supposed to go to their Junior Day but that was cancelled. Georgia Tech had me coming in for their spring game, they offered me. Utah State, I will go out to them when I can. I will try to make an unofficial out to ASU; I’d like to be in contact with them a little more. During the season, I went to Oregon, UCLA, and Oregon State.”
How did the Oregon visit go?
“It went well. I have been recruited by them for a long time. My cousin Brady Breeze is on the team and my dad is an alumnus. Oregon is close to home.”
And the UCLA trip?
“It went pretty good. I talked to their tight ends coach. With my brother being on the team, we went to his home games. They wanted me to unofficially visit; it went well.”
Last one. If you will, tell me about the Oregon State visit.
“It was good too. I talked to a few of their coaches. I went to their camp and had a good relationship with the coaches, all my visits were good.”
Carson, thanks for your time today and good luck with your offseason workouts.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Carson Cota