Utah Utes 2021 Recruit Thomas Cole Highlights
With the NCAA extending the recruiting dead period all the way until June 30, now is an extremely important to continue to connect with recruits via phone, text, facetime, etc.
Any chance that Utah coaches have to be in contact with recruits, they must take full advantage of it for the upcoming 2021 class as only Peter Costelli (4*, QB) and Tevita Fotu (JC, DL) are the only commits thus far. Creating relationships with the prospects and setting up on-campus visits for when the dead period ends will be vital if head coach Kyle Whittingham and his staff want to build on the success of the program's greatest recruiting class when the Utes finished with the No. 29 class in the country last year.
"We feel really good about this class," Whittingham said after the singing of the 2020 class. "Our net has been cast fairly wide now and we have guys from all over the country. More than anything though, we are now able to stand toe-to-toe and win some of these battles with high profile schools. If you look at our recruits and their offers, we are beating some really good schools - schools we couldn't even be in the conversation with six or seven years ago."
Now we are going to look at some of Utah's top targets in the 2021 class...
Thomas Cole
*4-star, Offensive Tackle
*6-foot-7, 255-pounds
*San Luis Obispo HS — San Luis Obispo, CA
When looking at Cole, his size immediately jumps off at you as he almost seems a little too skinny to be an offensive tackle. But then when you hear that he has only one year of o-line experience after beginning his football career as a tight end, you drool over his potential.
His frame is ideal as he possesses long arms and a sturdy base — and then when combined with his athleticism as a basketball player and former tight end, it's no wonder why Cole is quickly rising up recruiting boards. His movement and footwork is off the charts and he showcases the ability to get to the second level with relative ease.
The more experience that Cole gets, the better he'll be as he already plays with a very natural aggression and physicality that is highly warranted among big-time prospects. Once he adds on good weight and gets to being around the 280-300-pound range upon entering college, Cole could easily end up being a steal.
Senior Bamidele Olaseni and sophomore Simi Moala are expected to be the starters at the tackle positions entering the 2020 season. Moala is already established after starting most of last season at right tackle, so expect him to hold on to that spot until he leaves in three years.
Olaseni has the frame of what Cole could have, checking in at 6’7'', 332-pounds, but he has struggled in past season and will most likely get the first chance at the start role. A darkhorse candidate is Keaton Bills has shown a lot of potential, but he lacks experience so gaining some this year will be vital for him going forward.