Kolaj Cobbins “bought in” on the future at LSU
LSU football landed a verbal commitment from Destrehan’s Kolaj Cobbins in March, and the New Orleans area four-star has been solid with his pledge since.
As Destrehan gears up to defend the program’s state title this fall, Cobbins is set to be on LSU’s campus this weekend for the Bayou Splash before turning his focus to his senior season.
Here’s the latest from the nation’s No. 21 linebacker prospect, who the Tigers also have an eye on as a potential edge rusher at the JACK linebacker position.
Cobbins carving out a future role on LSU’s defense
At 6-foot-2.5, 210 pounds, Cobbins is ranked as a four-star linebacker, but the versatile defender could play multiple spots in defensive coordinator Matt House’s scheme.
“They talked about putting me in the Harold Perkins-type role,” Cobbins said. “I can pass rush, I can cover, sometimes I am spying the quarterback. That’s my role this year at Destrehan. But there’s also the role BJ Ojulari played. I can be that EDGE guy, if they need me.
“Every time I go up to LSU, they coach me up through my film and I get a better feel for the things I can do on defense there.”
Cobbins said a number of coaches and staff have played a role in his recruitment, and he’s grown close to new LSU outside linebackers coach John Jancek, who was moved into an on-field coaching role following the departure of former defensive line coach Jamar Cain.
“Since Coach Cain left, me and Coach Jancek picked up a bond quick and fast,” Cobbins said. “It was real fast. That’s my guy.
“Matt House, he brings the energy every time. He’s my guy as well. Then there’s (LSU head coach Brian Kelly). He’s like a scientist. He knows the right pieces to put into the LSU program. He said a lot of teams want me, but LSU wants and needs me. That really hit me different.
“With LSU, it’s a team effort in recruiting. I can say all the coaches played a role, even some of the coaches on offense. It’s a different vibe. It’s family.”
Cobbins says the future of LSU begins with Louisiana
With 19 verbal commitments for the 2024 class, LSU’s recruiting haul is made up of 14 Louisiana natives – Cobbins included.
For the Destrehan star, it’s a perfect recipe for locking up the Bayou State’s best as the staff builds out the roster for the future.
“When it comes to the Louisiana recruits, I think we are all bought in,” he said. “The class that’s being built, that’s what the LSU coaches can do when they put it all together. LSU just picked up Tylen Singleton. I get the feeling Wardell Mack comes home, too. I feel like nobody can beat a Louisiana team, and LSU is about to be riding this new wave of Louisiana guys coming in.”
At Friday’s Bayou Splash recruiting event in Baton Rouge, Cobbins will have a full day to spend getting more familiar with both prospects, current Tigers and the staff.
“I am looking to bond with the commits and players there, for sure,” he said. “Then I want to just build on my bond with some coaches. Really, it’s just about hanging out as a group and having a good time.”
One last ride at Destrehan – then off to LSU in January
Cobbins tells The Bengal Tiger staff he’s finalized a major decision in his life beyond committing to the Tigers.
Now, he’s locked in on one final semester at Destrehan before enrolling in college at LSU in January as an early-enrollee.
“I am going to be an early-enrollee, so I will be there first thin in January,” he said. “Leaving high school early is the sad part, but I get to be ahead with LSU’s game plan for me. It will help with my development, and I get to go through spring practices and workouts and get started in the classroom.
“That way, you get to see what it’s like in college before the rest of the (signees) get there in the summer.”
After winning a state title at Destrehan this past season, Cobbins said he’s moved back into a leadership role with the Wildcats as he pushes for another ring in his final year with the program.
“We’ve just finished our last summer workout on Thursday, and we can’t be on the field until August 1, which is day one of practice,” he said. “Senior year will fly by, so I got to soak it in.
“Since we won a state championship, we will have the target on our back. It’s a good test to see where our team is at. We lost a ton of people. The majority of the offensive line, the starting quarterback and some of the defensive backs are all gone, so the team is young.
“For me, it’s about taking that leadership role this offseason. With me being a leader as a junior, I’ve stepped up to the table already. I know how to set the tone. Now I just need to bring that same energy and focus this season. I’m ready for it.”
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