Cole Bentley will be a freshman this season for Belfry.

slideshow

Alan Popadines

Special to the Daily News

It’s been a busy two weeks for 2017 prospect Cole Bentley, but the 6-foot-5, 250 pounder who, just recently, graduated (Belfry) middle school doesn’t mind; especially when the Florida Gators show him some interest.

Bentley, who lives in Belfry, Ky., was one of many athletes down in “The Swamp” for a football camp last week and the Eastbay Youth All-American caught the eye of several members of the Gators coaching staff.

“Coach Muschamp pulled me out of a drill on the second day down there and brought coach Lawing over. Then they told me that I will be on their 2017 recruitment list,” said Bentley.

A very grateful Bentley went on to explain that the coaches invited him to come down and see a few games this coming season and that they hoped to see him at camp again next year.

Bentley plays tight end on offense and enjoys the position, but the All-State defensive end went to camp knowing that the defensive side of the ball is where his strength is.

“We did cone drills, shadow stations and just all around skill drills to help us get better,” Bentley said.

The athletic Bentley is much more than just a big body, as he also participates in track and field and was also named Second Team All-State in basketball this past year.

In fact, as a 7th grader he participated in a varsity basketball game and became the first 7th grader in school history to score in a varsity game. Having spoken with Bentley, his excitement and desire to get better are unquestionable.

That must have come through at the camp, as he noted, “Coach Lawing told me if I keep developing that one day I could find myself as a Florida gator.” Bentley has already attracted the eye of Illinois and Tennessee as well, but the big man certainly made an impression in Gainesville.

(Alan Popadines is the Senior Sports Manager for Youth1 and is directly involved with youth football content. Please share your questions, comments or stories with Alan at apopadines@youth1.com or call 973-878-0132.)

Cole Bentley will be a freshman this season for Belfry.

slideshow

Alan Popadines

Special to the Daily News

It’s been a busy two weeks for 2017 prospect Cole Bentley, but the 6-foot-5, 250 pounder who, just recently, graduated (Belfry) middle school doesn’t mind; especially when the Florida Gators show him some interest.

Bentley, who lives in Belfry, Ky., was one of many athletes down in “The Swamp” for a football camp last week and the Eastbay Youth All-American caught the eye of several members of the Gators coaching staff.

“Coach Muschamp pulled me out of a drill on the second day down there and brought coach Lawing over. Then they told me that I will be on their 2017 recruitment list,” said Bentley.

A very grateful Bentley went on to explain that the coaches invited him to come down and see a few games this coming season and that they hoped to see him at camp again next year.

Bentley plays tight end on offense and enjoys the position, but the All-State defensive end went to camp knowing that the defensive side of the ball is where his strength is.

“We did cone drills, shadow stations and just all around skill drills to help us get better,” Bentley said.

The athletic Bentley is much more than just a big body, as he also participates in track and field and was also named Second Team All-State in basketball this past year.

In fact, as a 7th grader he participated in a varsity basketball game and became the first 7th grader in school history to score in a varsity game. Having spoken with Bentley, his excitement and desire to get better are unquestionable.

That must have come through at the camp, as he noted, “Coach Lawing told me if I keep developing that one day I could find myself as a Florida gator.” Bentley has already attracted the eye of Illinois and Tennessee as well, but the big man certainly made an impression in Gainesville.

(Alan Popadines is the Senior Sports Manager for Youth1 and is directly involved with youth football content. Please share your questions, comments or stories with Alan at apopadines@youth1.com or call 973-878-0132.)

Cole Bentley will be a freshman this season for Belfry.

slideshow

Alan Popadines

Special to the Daily News

It’s been a busy two weeks for 2017 prospect Cole Bentley, but the 6-foot-5, 250 pounder who, just recently, graduated (Belfry) middle school doesn’t mind; especially when the Florida Gators show him some interest.

Bentley, who lives in Belfry, Ky., was one of many athletes down in “The Swamp” for a football camp last week and the Eastbay Youth All-American caught the eye of several members of the Gators coaching staff.

“Coach Muschamp pulled me out of a drill on the second day down there and brought coach Lawing over. Then they told me that I will be on their 2017 recruitment list,” said Bentley.

A very grateful Bentley went on to explain that the coaches invited him to come down and see a few games this coming season and that they hoped to see him at camp again next year.

Bentley plays tight end on offense and enjoys the position, but the All-State defensive end went to camp knowing that the defensive side of the ball is where his strength is.

“We did cone drills, shadow stations and just all around skill drills to help us get better,” Bentley said.

The athletic Bentley is much more than just a big body, as he also participates in track and field and was also named Second Team All-State in basketball this past year.

In fact, as a 7th grader he participated in a varsity basketball game and became the first 7th grader in school history to score in a varsity game. Having spoken with Bentley, his excitement and desire to get better are unquestionable.

That must have come through at the camp, as he noted, “Coach Lawing told me if I keep developing that one day I could find myself as a Florida gator.” Bentley has already attracted the eye of Illinois and Tennessee as well, but the big man certainly made an impression in Gainesville.

(Alan Popadines is the Senior Sports Manager for Youth1 and is directly involved with youth football content. Please share your questions, comments or stories with Alan at apopadines@youth1.com or call 973-878-0132.)

Cole Bentley will be a freshman this season for Belfry.

slideshow

Alan Popadines

Special to the Daily News

It’s been a busy two weeks for 2017 prospect Cole Bentley, but the 6-foot-5, 250 pounder who, just recently, graduated (Belfry) middle school doesn’t mind; especially when the Florida Gators show him some interest.

Bentley, who lives in Belfry, Ky., was one of many athletes down in “The Swamp” for a football camp last week and the Eastbay Youth All-American caught the eye of several members of the Gators coaching staff.

“Coach Muschamp pulled me out of a drill on the second day down there and brought coach Lawing over. Then they told me that I will be on their 2017 recruitment list,” said Bentley.

A very grateful Bentley went on to explain that the coaches invited him to come down and see a few games this coming season and that they hoped to see him at camp again next year.

Bentley plays tight end on offense and enjoys the position, but the All-State defensive end went to camp knowing that the defensive side of the ball is where his strength is.

“We did cone drills, shadow stations and just all around skill drills to help us get better,” Bentley said.

The athletic Bentley is much more than just a big body, as he also participates in track and field and was also named Second Team All-State in basketball this past year.

In fact, as a 7th grader he participated in a varsity basketball game and became the first 7th grader in school history to score in a varsity game. Having spoken with Bentley, his excitement and desire to get better are unquestionable.

That must have come through at the camp, as he noted, “Coach Lawing told me if I keep developing that one day I could find myself as a Florida gator.” Bentley has already attracted the eye of Illinois and Tennessee as well, but the big man certainly made an impression in Gainesville.

(Alan Popadines is the Senior Sports Manager for Youth1 and is directly involved with youth football content. Please share your questions, comments or stories with Alan at apopadines@youth1.com or call 973-878-0132.)