Recruiting Report: Mike Coble (2018)

Mike Coble knows all about playing multiple positions to help his team.

In junior high, he played all the skill positions. As the Byron athlete got older, he played receiver until switching permanently to quarterback as a junior.

Last year he started at safety on defense, but for his senior season, he switched positions again. Coble might not want to get comfortable in any one spot because colleges are already looking for him to join their programs, but not at quarterback or defensive back.

The Bears have started the season 1-1.

 “We lost a tough one against Triton,” Coble said. “They have a lot of experience and great coaching over there. It was a tough game, but we bounced back (in Week 2) and were pretty much firing on all cylinders.”

When they are playing well, there is a theme to their success – speed.

“On the defensive side of things we are flying around on the field but are in the right positions at the right times – just making plays. Offensively we are a speed team. A lot of our offense is based off big plays and getting me out in space.”

Running out of shotgun, Coble has been the starting quarterback since his junior year and a varsity starter – at wide receiver since his sophomore year.

“I think I make a lot of plays out of nothing,” NFN's 13th-ranked senior said. “We can go from a bad snap or a fumble, and I think I am pretty good making something out of that.”

A safety as a junior, Coble moved to cornerback for his final high school season. While it is not like moving from offensive line to running back, moving from safety to corner still presented some new challenges.

“At safety, you can be more worried about what is going on all over the field,” Coble said. “At corner, I have to be more concerned with one specific area. I have to keep my eyes out of the backfield.”

Coble feels he has adjusted to his new role well.

“I think I get myself in good position to make big plays and make tackles and lead the team in general.”

His biggest challenge during the summer and going forward is simply getting bigger.

“Being a longer type player, I think strength is going to help me in all areas. I also need to get used to my footwork.”

When not playing football, Coble resides in the backcourt of the Byron basketball team.

“I think I make a lot of plays in transition using my speed and my vision,” the Bears' two-sport athlete said. “I am also good at leading and getting things set up and coordinated on the court.”

Although he still played with the team in a school league after basketball, Coble's focus switched back to football.

“I was in the weight room most days when I didn't have a camp or something else going on,” Coble explained. “I would lift with the team and then sometimes get some extra work in at (another gym).”

Coble attended college camps during the summer as well – at multiple positions.

“The camps helped my footwork and overall coordination,” Coble – who in his spare time likes to fish and hike – said. “I went to a Minnesota and then an Iowa prospect camp. I went to a team camp in Duluth, and then I went to North Dakota, North Dakota State and South Dakota State for individual camps.”

Coble has had basketball programs asking about him and has offers to play football from North Dakota, South Dakota State, and Minnesota-Duluth. He also has had interest from Winona State and Bemidji State, but he considers himself more of a basketball player than a football player.

“Basketball adds a part to my game that others don't have,” Coble said. “I have versatility and a different kind of movement out on the field compared to most players.”

“Most of the schools see me at wide receiver,” Coble continued. They like my length and size. They like the potential they see in me.”

Another possible position change might be in the senior's future but considering his history – he will be ready for it.