USC target Chris Cole sets commitment date, finalizes top six schools

Georgia leads this recruitment, but USC isn’t out of the running.

Chris Cole is one of the top linebacker prospects in the country. On Monday, Cole released a top six that included the USC Trojans.

The 6-3 linebacker out of Salem, Virginia, included USC, Georgia and Tennessee out of the SEC, joining a group that also features Virginia Tech, Miami and Penn State.

Cole is the No. 53 overall prospect in the class of 2024. He ranks as the No. 5 linebacker and No. 1 player in Virginia, according to On3 industry rankings.

On3’s scouting and rankings team writes this about him as a prospect:

“Big-framed, toolsy linebacker with some of the highest physical upside at the position in the 2024 cycle. Measured in at around 6-foot-3, 210 pounds prior to his senior season. Has a long, high-hipped build with a big frame and plus length for the position. Arms have measured at 33 inches and hand checks in at over 10 inches. Registers as a top athlete in the combine setting. Doubles as a good track athlete with some impressive marks in the 55-meter hurdles. Began his high school career as a safety before adding considerable mass and growing into a linebacker. Lines up at various spots in the back half for his high school – playing as a hang linebacker, a center field safety and creeping up to the edge.”

Cole recorded 76 tackles and 11 tackles for a loss as a junior after playing his first two seasons at defensive back and linebacker in the SPUR role.

247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong currently has a crystal ball predicting Cole to Georgia.

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