Charge Of The Lancer: CT OLB/SS Kobey Coburn

by Ayo Fapohunda

Posted September 19, 2011 12:35 am

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Photo Courtesy of FCAA

Finestpreps.com takes another visit to the state of Connecticut with our friends from FCAA.  Who’s the snot bubbler Matt Clancy will be introducing from the Nutmeg state?

Determination, intelligence, hard work, love of the game. These are the values over the years on which champions have been built. It is easy for scouts to fall in love with the speedster who runs a blazing 40 or a quarterback with the cannon arm. However, if these players do not have the drive to win, the on field leadership, or the willingness to sacrifice for the team, then their talents are wasted. Often, it is the intangibles that are harder to measure that are the true indicators of success, such as time spent in the weight room, or learning the playbook.

Kobey Coburn is an athlete. He has been clocked running a 4.6 40. Coburn can squat 475 lbs and puts up 245 lbs on the bench. His speed and strength have helped him become a dominant middle linebacker for Waterford High School in Connecticut. However, it is his intelligence and hard work that has helped him truly master the game he loves.

“He’s a very intelligent player,” said Keith Coburn, Kobey’s father. “They had him calling plays this year. He pretty much knows who needs to be where and what’s going on. He’s always been the smart guy on the field.”

When Kobey started playing football in third grade he had to be the smart guy on the field. He was in a league that had kids as old as sixth grade and consequently was one of the youngest and smallest players. His coach put him on the defensive line. Rather than shrink from the challenge though, as many in his situation would, Coburn rose to it, and his love of the game was born.

“I was always one that loved to step up to a challenge,” Coburn said. “Being a little guy I always loved to beat someone bigger than me. I always thought I had something to prove and no one is going to take that away from me.”

Coburn is no longer a “little guy.” He now stands at six feet tall and weighs in at 190 lbs. But this has not dulled his work ethic. Despite the fact that Kobey was playing lacrosse this spring, Keith said his son spent 8-10 hours a week in the weight room or with speed and agility trainers. Kobey will also be spending his summer attending football camps all across the country. Coburn has been invited to, and is attending, football camps at, Temple, Bowling Green, Urbana, Sacred Heart, Bryant, and Towson.

Coburn’s hard work and dedication paid off on the field his junior year. He finished the season with 81 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovered, good enough for second team all-area honors. Coburn was one of just three juniors to be on the all-area defensive team, and the first team was all seniors.

For Coburn, dedication to football is not an option, it is a life style. The rising high school senior says that football molded him into the person he is today and he is determined to play at the next level. This is why, despite the fact that he is poised to be a star at middle linebacker his senior year, he is considering a position change to the outside, or strong safety, if that is where he is better suited for the college game. Coburn says that the transition should be seamless. As a cerebral and instinctual player he picks up football very quickly. He is confident that by working at his new position in camps this summer, he can become a very good college safety.

Coburn compares himself to Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens, as someone who plays hard on every down and leads by example. This is why he would not let his ego get in the way of a position change. Coburn simply wants to do what is best for his future team and his career. His dedication to the game, hard work, and natural leadership are some of the main reasons his coaches and teammates think he is poised to be successful as a college player.

“Kobey is one of the hardest working high school football players I have ever been involved with,” said Mike Ellis, Waterford’s football coach. “His commitment to improve his game is second to none. Kobey has done more in the off season to prepare himself than any other player I have coached. Kobey continually attends camps and combines to improve his game along with attending speed training sessions with a personal trainer. He is a leader and I am looking forward to a great senior season due to his commitment and preparation.”

His teammates echo their coach’s sentiment, pointing out that Kobey is always someone they can go to if they have questions.

“On the field he is always a leader,” said fellow linebacker Dakota Jones. “He always tells you what to do if you’re making a mistake. He always fixes problems. He leads people on and off the field to be the best that they can be.”

Waterford it seems has a history of producing tough, cerebral, on field leaders. Zach Hurd, who just finished his senior season at the University of Connecticut, and was a team captain for the Huskies, is a Waterford alum.

The first of many anticipated full rides arrived in July when homestate Central Connecticut State University offered. Whichever college lands Coburn will not just be getting an athlete, but a well rounded scholar.

In addition to being in good academic standing, Coburn is a member of his high school band. He hopes to study sports medicine in college and dreams of someday being a personal trainer. Coburn is a perfect example of an FCAA athlete: solid scholastically to go along with his superior on-the-field skills. He is a leader amongst his peers both on and off the field and consequently has a bright future in both athletics and academics.

Below is a link to Kobey’s Football Highlights

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/145942/kobey-coburn


Read more recruiting articles by Ayo Fapohunda


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Charge Of The Lancer: CT OLB/SS Kobey Coburn

by Ayo Fapohunda

Posted 12:35 am

, , , ,

Photo Courtesy of FCAA

Finestpreps.com takes another visit to the state of Connecticut with our friends from FCAA.  Who’s the snot bubbler Matt Clancy will be introducing from the Nutmeg state?

Determination, intelligence, hard work, love of the game. These are the values over the years on which champions have been built. It is easy for scouts to fall in love with the speedster who runs a blazing 40 or a quarterback with the cannon arm. However, if these players do not have the drive to win, the on field leadership, or the willingness to sacrifice for the team, then their talents are wasted. Often, it is the intangibles that are harder to measure that are the true indicators of success, such as time spent in the weight room, or learning the playbook.

Kobey Coburn is an athlete. He has been clocked running a 4.6 40. Coburn can squat 475 lbs and puts up 245 lbs on the bench. His speed and strength have helped him become a dominant middle linebacker for Waterford High School in Connecticut. However, it is his intelligence and hard work that has helped him truly master the game he loves.

“He’s a very intelligent player,” said Keith Coburn, Kobey’s father. “They had him calling plays this year. He pretty much knows who needs to be where and what’s going on. He’s always been the smart guy on the field.”

When Kobey started playing football in third grade he had to be the smart guy on the field. He was in a league that had kids as old as sixth grade and consequently was one of the youngest and smallest players. His coach put him on the defensive line. Rather than shrink from the challenge though, as many in his situation would, Coburn rose to it, and his love of the game was born.

“I was always one that loved to step up to a challenge,” Coburn said. “Being a little guy I always loved to beat someone bigger than me. I always thought I had something to prove and no one is going to take that away from me.”

Coburn is no longer a “little guy.” He now stands at six feet tall and weighs in at 190 lbs. But this has not dulled his work ethic. Despite the fact that Kobey was playing lacrosse this spring, Keith said his son spent 8-10 hours a week in the weight room or with speed and agility trainers. Kobey will also be spending his summer attending football camps all across the country. Coburn has been invited to, and is attending, football camps at, Temple, Bowling Green, Urbana, Sacred Heart, Bryant, and Towson.

Coburn’s hard work and dedication paid off on the field his junior year. He finished the season with 81 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovered, good enough for second team all-area honors. Coburn was one of just three juniors to be on the all-area defensive team, and the first team was all seniors.

For Coburn, dedication to football is not an option, it is a life style. The rising high school senior says that football molded him into the person he is today and he is determined to play at the next level. This is why, despite the fact that he is poised to be a star at middle linebacker his senior year, he is considering a position change to the outside, or strong safety, if that is where he is better suited for the college game. Coburn says that the transition should be seamless. As a cerebral and instinctual player he picks up football very quickly. He is confident that by working at his new position in camps this summer, he can become a very good college safety.

Coburn compares himself to Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens, as someone who plays hard on every down and leads by example. This is why he would not let his ego get in the way of a position change. Coburn simply wants to do what is best for his future team and his career. His dedication to the game, hard work, and natural leadership are some of the main reasons his coaches and teammates think he is poised to be successful as a college player.

“Kobey is one of the hardest working high school football players I have ever been involved with,” said Mike Ellis, Waterford’s football coach. “His commitment to improve his game is second to none. Kobey has done more in the off season to prepare himself than any other player I have coached. Kobey continually attends camps and combines to improve his game along with attending speed training sessions with a personal trainer. He is a leader and I am looking forward to a great senior season due to his commitment and preparation.”

His teammates echo their coach’s sentiment, pointing out that Kobey is always someone they can go to if they have questions.

“On the field he is always a leader,” said fellow linebacker Dakota Jones. “He always tells you what to do if you’re making a mistake. He always fixes problems. He leads people on and off the field to be the best that they can be.”

Waterford it seems has a history of producing tough, cerebral, on field leaders. Zach Hurd, who just finished his senior season at the University of Connecticut, and was a team captain for the Huskies, is a Waterford alum.

The first of many anticipated full rides arrived in July when homestate Central Connecticut State University offered. Whichever college lands Coburn will not just be getting an athlete, but a well rounded scholar.

In addition to being in good academic standing, Coburn is a member of his high school band. He hopes to study sports medicine in college and dreams of someday being a personal trainer. Coburn is a perfect example of an FCAA athlete: solid scholastically to go along with his superior on-the-field skills. He is a leader amongst his peers both on and off the field and consequently has a bright future in both athletics and academics.

Below is a link to Kobey’s Football Highlights

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/145942/kobey-coburn


Read more recruiting articles by Ayo Fapohunda


Follow Ayo Fapohunda on Twitter:  @finestpreps

Email Ayo Fapohunda:  ayo@preps.com


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GIVE YOUR ANALYSIS: