TOLEDO IS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST FOR 2016 LINEBACKER JALEN COCHRAN
The 2016 recruiting class is off to a thunderous start for Matt Campbell and the Toledo Rockets. After receiving their nineteenth commitment on Wednesday from Harper Woods, Mich. wide receiver, Jalen Martin, the Rockets are looking to build a dynasty for the future. Despite the commitment from Martin and several other three-star recruits, Toledo isn't done yet.
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| The biggest uncommitted target for Toledo in the 2016 class is linebacker, Jalen Cochran. |
Thus far in 2015, the Toledo Rockets have completely revamped their defense. After being one of the worst defenses in all of football in the 2014 season, Toledo came back and healthy and deep this season. Through seven games, the Rockets rank sixth in the country in total defense by allowing just over twelve points per game, on average. The secret to that success? Recruiting. Toledo has plugged in true-freshman cornerback, Josh Teachey, in several defensive schemes so far in 2015. Teachey, a Maryland product, was hardly recruited out of high school but fit the Toledo mold. Aside from Teachey, redshirt-freshman linebacker, Richard Olekanma is also playing several crucial minutes for the Rockets.
As illustrated, the Rocket defense utilizes substitutions and depth in order to succeed. In the 2016 recruiting class, a big name to watch out for is Canton, Mich. linebacker, Jalen Cochran. Cochran, a 6'4", 235-pound outside linebacker, is currently rated as the 22nd-best player in the state of Michigan by Rivals. Cochran has attracted large amounts of attention after a breakout junior season in 2014 where he recorded 53 tackles and three sacks. The Canton Chief has offers from Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Iowa, Miami (OH), Toledo, and Western Michigan.
Aside from the offers, Cochran has begun to receive interest from several 'Power Five' conferences. "I've been talking to Arizona and Illinois a lot lately," Cochran stated.
Despite the numerous offers and large amounts of interest, Cochran has fallen in love with Toledo. "Toledo is still my number one school," said Cochran, who was offered by Toledo just after his junior season, "I love the environment there, plus they offered me first, which means they saw something in me that nobody else did at the time. They took a chance on me and I love them for that," he continued, "I talk to them pretty much every day."
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| Cochran, a possibly underrated three-star, would be a huge commit for Matt Campbell and Toledo. |
Another reason for the Toledo love from Cochran, is due to the defensive scheme that the Rockets run with defensive coordinator, Jon Heacock. "The defensive scheme fits what I'm doing now in high school so that's another reason why they're my number one," he added.
A freak athlete, Cochran plays both sides of the ball for the Canton Chiefs' football program, "I usually play both sides of the ball," he stated, "Outside linebacker, defensive end, and tight end but due to my injury, I'm focusing on defense. I'm almost at 100% so wherever my coach wants me, I'll play. Some schools are looking at me as a tight end, but not a lot."
The reason nearly all schools see Cochran as an outside linebacker at the next level rather than a tight end is due to his natural pass-rushing ability along with his pass coverage ability.
"He's instinctive and he's a physical specimen," stated Jeff Corrion, the founder of The D Zone, which covers Michigan High School Football, "He's extremely good at pass coverage for someone his size at outside linebacker."
Aside from Corrion, who has watch Cochran and the Canton Chiefs numerous times over the years, those that see Cochran on film, know he has extreme skill.
"Jalen Cochran is a big, strong body coming off the edge," Eric Rutter, the college football recruiting analyst for 'Today's U', "He played both outside linebacker and on the line with his hand down. Cochran keeps his pad level low and is strong at the point of attack. On tape, Cochran is very disruptive in the backfield with his combination of pass rush moves and motor. He's another talented prospect, who I expect to collect a few Big Ten offers before the process is over."
As shown, if the Toledo Rockets could add the services of Jalen Cochran to the 2016 recruiting class, they would be set up at linebacker for the next several seasons. The ability to rush the passer combined with pass coverage skills makes Cochran the complete package. Although he is a high-end three-star recruit, Cochran could end up with a fourth star to his name before National Signing Day. Matt Campbell and the Rockets are going all-in on Cochran as one of the last big targets for their recruiting class. If Toledo can land a commitment from the Michigan-product, they'd be able to plug him in at linebacker right away due to the scheme fit on the defense and ability.
You can view Cochran's Hudl highlights by clicking here.
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