Interview with Sierra Canyon Class of 2017 Rising Star RB Bobby Cole

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Sierra Canyon has continued their winning ways in 2015 with a load of talent in the senior and junior classes. The Trailblazers are off to another great start with a 4-0 record thanks to the strong team play and wealth of talent. Among the many players to highlight along the Trailblazers roster is Class of 2017 running back Bobby Cole.

In 2014 the Trailblazers were one of the hottest teams in the Los Angeles area winning their first nine games, most by lopsided outcomes, before falling in their last regular season game to Paraclete 13-7. Sierra Canyon made it to the third round of the California High School Playoffs before losing another tough one, this time in the semifinals to eventual state champ Pomona (33-20).

Sierra Canyon head coach Jon Ellinghouse was in the enviable but tough position of having to spread the ball around to a wealth of talent in 2014.  On the outside Washington Huskies Class of 2015 signee wide receiver Isaiah Renfro dominated pulling down 59 passes for 1,322 yards with 11 touchdowns. Under center Niko Harris, and Kohl Hollinquest took turns moving the offense with Harris passing for 1,154 yards on 69-of-112 passing and Hollinquest was 53-of-85 with 929 yards and nine touchdowns tossed.

Out of the backfield, then senior running back Kaizer Butler carried the ball 116 times coming up with 1,184 yards and 20 touchdowns. Already showing his budding talent was Joshua “Bobby” Cole. Cole carried 128 times for 1,126 yards with 10 touchdowns as a sophomore. He also had six receptions for 105 yards with another two touchdowns.

After an offseason of hard work, Cole has emerged as one of the top all-purpose backs in California. The 5’9”, 183 pound, athlete is off to an amazing start this season having rushed for 663 yards on 54 carries, a 12.3 yard per carry average, with 10 touchdowns in just four games. Cole has taken two passes 15 yards turning one into another touchdown showing his versatility.

Watching Cole in action, his game speed and quickness through the hole is one of the first things that jump out. He has a burst of speed that gets him to the next level and uses a variety of moves to shake defenders for extra yards. Blessed with great balance, he takes the initial hit keeping his feet while plowing forward for more yards playing bigger than his size.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the rising Class of 2017 star to go over his offseason workouts, received a recruiting update, and got an inside look at how the Trailblazers look going forward.

Interview

Bobby, you’re off to a hot start carrying the ball the Trailblazers are 4-0 right now, how does the team looking going forward with a deep run into the playoffs?

“The team looks really good. At practice we’re doing everything right. We’re tightening up some mistakes and penalties working on our holding calls. We’re taking steps forward every day to be a better team.”

Are there a couple of games coming up that you are excited to play?

“This week, Mission Prep (San Luis Obispo), they are a very good team.”

This might be a little redundant with you just mentioning cutting down on penalties, but what does Sierra Canyon need to do this year to keep going strong this season?

“Like I said, our penalties. In the last game I think we had 12 or 16, somewhere around there. You can’t win big games against good teams doing that. We have to tighten up the little things like that.”

What is the strength of this year’s football team? Is it the offense, the defense, or the running game…

“First of all, our defense is very strong, very strong across the board. Our offense, I think the strength is you never know where it’s coming from. We have so many players that go out and make plays, you can’t focus on one player.”

What are your strengths on the field? What makes you a good running back?

“I think what makes me a good running back is I can play both types of running backs. If we need a 5-yard run I can be a power back, but then again if our team is down I can break one. Also, the O-line is the biggest part of my success so far. I could not be as successful as I have been without them.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“To be honest, just like every other team in our league and division, we want a ring. That’s the ultimate goal. Our other goal is to go out every week be better than we were the last time out.”

What are your thoughts on your individual performance so far this season?

“You can’t be too mad at 504 yards in three games, I’m not sure how many yards I had on Saturday. There is always room for improvement. Sometimes I don’t read a block right. Most of the time I am pretty hard on myself on stuff like that.”

Are you pleased with how you are hitting the hole, reading the blocks, exploding through to the next level, taking the first hit and driving through?

“Yeah, I’m pleased. I guess you can say that.”

What did you do in the offseason to prepare for your junior year?

“I did a lot. It was a busy offseason. I ran track, I attended mini camps, B2G (7×7), and I attended the B2G Elite Camp. Me and my teammate, Kanan Ray, visited Arizona and went to that camp. I was at the Washington camp but did not practice because of B2G.”

What did you work on specifically in the offseason? Speed, strength, agility –

“Last season my weakness was my breakaway speed so that’s what I needed to worked on in the offseason. In track I did a lot of 40 work. I did a lot of lower body lifting to get my strength and dive better when I run. I also did a lot of footwork too.”

You mentioned you went to Arizona’s camp this summer, how did that go for you?

“It was great, I loved it. I got a chance to talk to Coach (Rich) Rodriguez, he was really nice. I liked it there. We got to see the facilities. It was really nice.”

Which schools are showing interest in you right now?

“I’m getting a lot of letters from teams like Arizona, Washington State, and Washington.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“My father (Robert Cole). He’s not really a typical football dad. He pushes me. He loves going to the camps, I don’t think he’s missed one of my football games, but he really pushes me. Even when I don’t want to go to a camp he pushes and motivates me to be a better player and a better person.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“To be honest, being with my teammates is my favorite part.”

Bobby, thanks for your time today. Good luck the rest of the way, we’ll be watching.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: dailynews.com; No. 21 Bobby Cole

Photo credit: Bobby Cole; Bobby at Arizona