Arendell Parrott's Cole Daniels selects UNC-Pembroke
By Junious Smith / Sports Editor KINSTON FREE PRESS
The anchor of Arendell Parrott’s defense over the past two seasons will be heading to Robeson County at the next level.
Cole Daniels made his decision to go with UNC-Pembroke Wednesday during National Signing Day. Daniels, was a 2015 and 2016 All-Free Press first team selection and had 126 tackles — 18 for a loss — six sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery last season while helping the Patriots win a second straight NCISAA 2A state championship.
Daniels, who is undecided between a journalism and biology major, said he fell in love with the atmosphere of UNC-Pembroke.
“After my visit, I felt like it would be a good fit,” Daniels said. “There was a lot of interest during the recruitment process and it’s a smaller school, which I liked. There aren’t as many distractions, which made it such a good fit.”
Arendell Parrott coach Matt Beaman said Daniels was an integral part of the team’s success during his time at the school.
“He was a 4-year started at linebacker who came in to play left guard before becoming a feature running back,” Beaman said. “He’s one of the key pieces of our back-to-back title winning teams and we’ll miss him next year.”
Defensive coordinator Dory Hines said Daniels had great instincts and abilities, which should translate at UNC-Pembroke.
“Cole was the anchor and when he played well, we had the best 8-man defense in North Carolina,” Hines said. “He kept us in the state title games against St. David’s and was the true definition of a ballhawk. He is someone who was going to give you 110 percent every time he was out there.”
Ivy James, Daniels’ mother, said this was a dream come true for her son.
“Cole’s been wanting to play college football since he was seven years old in Pop Warner,” James said. “He’s always worked hard and never took a day off, even in the offseason. I’m really excited for him.”
By Junious Smith / Sports Editor KINSTON FREE PRESS
The anchor of Arendell Parrott’s defense over the past two seasons will be heading to Robeson County at the next level.
Cole Daniels made his decision to go with UNC-Pembroke Wednesday during National Signing Day. Daniels, was a 2015 and 2016 All-Free Press first team selection and had 126 tackles — 18 for a loss — six sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery last season while helping the Patriots win a second straight NCISAA 2A state championship.
Daniels, who is undecided between a journalism and biology major, said he fell in love with the atmosphere of UNC-Pembroke.
“After my visit, I felt like it would be a good fit,” Daniels said. “There was a lot of interest during the recruitment process and it’s a smaller school, which I liked. There aren’t as many distractions, which made it such a good fit.”
Arendell Parrott coach Matt Beaman said Daniels was an integral part of the team’s success during his time at the school.
“He was a 4-year started at linebacker who came in to play left guard before becoming a feature running back,” Beaman said. “He’s one of the key pieces of our back-to-back title winning teams and we’ll miss him next year.”
Defensive coordinator Dory Hines said Daniels had great instincts and abilities, which should translate at UNC-Pembroke.
“Cole was the anchor and when he played well, we had the best 8-man defense in North Carolina,” Hines said. “He kept us in the state title games against St. David’s and was the true definition of a ballhawk. He is someone who was going to give you 110 percent every time he was out there.”
Ivy James, Daniels’ mother, said this was a dream come true for her son.
“Cole’s been wanting to play college football since he was seven years old in Pop Warner,” James said. “He’s always worked hard and never took a day off, even in the offseason. I’m really excited for him.”
