Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The myth and legends of gunslingers in Texas grips us at our base in American folklore, and there is a new one rising. The Lonestar State is accustomed to having fresh challengers coming into town, and they now have a big one on their hands in Cole Welliver. The 6-6, 200-pound, ninth grade quarterback already has the Saturday arm ready to rip it down the field and into tight windows with extreme confidence. Going from Eastside Catholic in Washington (eighth grade), a semester at Kennedy High School (season pushed), and to Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Welliver is ready to apply his skills against Texas 6A squads in 2021. When he starts lighting up the scoreboards across the state, he will do so with four offers already in his back pocket.
In an RNG first-look interview partnered with QB Hit List, Welliver covers ground on his growing skills, transfer, and early recruiting process.
Interview
Cole, you are in a unique position having gone up against Washington state competition and kids in Texas. From what you’ve seen thus far, what are the differences in style of play and competition?
Competition in Texas is better. Everyone in Texas is good, all the teams are good. There is a lot of competition in Washington, but more in Texas. I’d say there is more competition in Texas than Washington.
During the 2019 season, it looks like you were operating a Spread offense. What was the philosophy of the offense you were running?
It was a kind of RPO-Spread offense. We threw the ball a lot. It was the same offense from Eastside Catholic and FBU. I knew all the plays, it was fun.
How did the offense fit your skillset?
It fits with me because I get to throw it a lot. I can run if I have to but I am not much of runner.
What are some of the bigger aspects to your game that improved during the 2020 offseason?
Seeing the field, knowing my reads, and reading defenses. I have been working on my footwork. I have also been working out and getting stronger in the weight room.
How has your understanding and knowledge of the game grown during the offseason?
I have grown a lot. I have been watching a lot of film and getting more reps playing 7v7 is a big part of it. Playing a little 7v7, you get to see the defenses and different types of coverages.
What do you feel are the strengths to your game?
Throwing the ball, reading defenses, my accuracy, throwing on the run, and my mobility.
What are you working on with your technique this offseason?
My base, widening my base, and getting my hips into my throw so I can throw further and harder. Taking that step too, sometimes I do not take that step.
Are you playing any other sports?
Yes, I am playing basketball.
Even though you are an underclassman, college programs are already finding you. How many offers do you have?
I have four offers.
Which program was the first to offer you?
FAU (Florida Atlantic).
Welliver’s Offer Sheet: Arizona State, Colorado, Florida Atlantic, and Washington State
Getting that offer from FAU, what was that moment like for you?
It was super surprising. I was grateful and really excited. It was kind of crazy.
When did they offer?
Over the summer, I think it was July.
Are there any schools that you know of showing interest?
I think Oklahoma might be, but I am not 100 percent sure.
When you get the chance to start taking visits, are there any programs you’d like to go see?
Yes, I’d like to see Oklahoma. I went to an Oklahoma game a couple of weeks ago, it was cool. Clemson, Alabama, Mississippi State, USC, Texas, Texas A&M, and LSU are schools I’d like to see as well.
Let’s get back to football. With this transfer to Marcus, do you know what style of offense you will be executing?
A Spread, like my old school. They run some Air Raid. They run a lot of different things out of the Air Raid. I just started learning it on Monday.
Are you practicing already?
Yes, I started on Tuesday.
How did that first practice go with your new team?
It was fun. We did testing. My first period was football, that was pretty cool. We did not have that in Washington.
Cole, thanks for updating us on your offseason workouts and transfer to Marcus. Wishing you the best of luck getting the new playbook down and building chemistry with your new receiving corps.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Welliver family; Cole Welliver
