Editor’s Note: Chris Cole has become one of the Aggies’ most reliable offensive players. He’s also one of the most personable guys on the squad. He sat down with 12th Man Magazine to discuss his blossoming career in the maroon and white.

Q: Did you have any idea coming out of high school that you would become one of A&M’s go-to guys on offense as a junior?

Cole: Really, I had no idea it would come like this. I knew I had the ability, but I didn’t know if I’d get the chance to go out there and show what I had, knowing that we had a basically running team. We had a lot of great performers on offense with Sirr Parker and Dante Hall, and after A.C. (Albert Connell) left, I knew the spot was open. But I didn’t know that, after being out a year (with an injury), if I still had it in me.

Q: So was it a case of just being glad to be here when you signed a letter-of-intent with the Aggies?

Cole: Yeah, I was just glad to be here. Really, I was just glad to get a chance to get on the field. But getting a scholarship and just being here wasn’t enough. I wanted to be able to play and make an impact on this team. I want to be a guy you can look for on third downs.

Q: Was the turning point in your early career obviously the late touchdown catch against Oklahoma State last year?

Cole: That was the main turning point. The coaches saw I could make some plays and make something happen, so I guess they decided to try and get me the ball.

Q: What if you had dropped that pass?

Cole: I don’t know where I’d be right now. Probably not talking to you right now.

Q: How often do you replay that play in your mind?

Cole: I probably rewind and play it back once every two weeks, because that was probably one of the finest moments of my life and in football, period. Going back, it was one of the greater times I can think of.

Q: Then you make a big, acrobatic catch against Florida State. Are you just brimming with confidence now?

Cole: I just feel I can make plays. If the ball is thrown, I have to go get it. That’s my job. I knew we needed a big play (against FSU), and I told Coach that the guy over there, he can’t cover me. At the time, I was kind of in a zone. I just said throw the ball, and I’ll go make the play.

Q: Are you eager to get the A&M offense in gear and show people that it has the potential to be a strong unit?

Cole: We’re really hungry to get this thing started. The pressure limited us against Florida State, and we were trying to get some balls off, but they’re defense was really awesome. We just can’t wait to get back in rhythm, because the passing game is a rhythm thing. Once we get in rhythm, I think we’ll be successful.

Q: What’s your relationship like with Coach Kragthorpe?

Cole: He’s probably the best coach I’ve ever been around. He’s really a players’ coach. He understands us and can relate to us. Plus, he listens to us, and I think he’s a real excitable guy who knows what he’s doing.

Q: As a receiver, what do you think of the numbers a guy like Louisiana Tech’s Troy Edwards has put up this season?

Cole: You look for the same opportunities. As a receiver, you want to get the ball thrown your way about 30 times a game. That’s what I came here for — to catch the ball. Seeing those type of numbers, I hate to be outdone. Just like everybody else, I want to make plays and be in the spotlight. I’m a little jealous, but who wouldn’t be?

Q: With the Aggies throwing deep more this year, are you salivating at the thought of more long balls coming your way?

Cole: I just can’t wait to blow past somebody, catch a ball and end up in the end zone this year. That’s what I’m looking forward to.

Q: With the Nebraska game looming in a few weeks, what do you guys have to do to break through against a top 5 team?

Cole: We’re just a few plays away. Really, I’m not concerned about them as much as I’m concerned about us. I feel if we go out and execute our offense like we know we can — put the ball in the air and run the ball — I think we’ll be successful against any team in the country. We have the same quality guys most teams have. It’s just a matter of us getting together and being able to put together a good game plan. It all has to do with us.

Q: What’s a dream game, a dream day for Chris Cole?

Cole: Meeting Florida State again and beating them. Games like that, you just want to win. You don’t care if you catch any passes or not. I could have cared less if I had made that catch as long as we would have won that game. It’s more of a team thing.

Q: Do you have a good feel for this team yet?

Cole: I don’t think there’s any reason why we shouldn’t win every game. We have all the tools, but we just have to go out and get it done. We have a lot of good competition on our schedule, but I think we have just as good a team as anybody else. It’s a matter of going out and doing what the coaches have taught us and make some plays.

Q: Are you having a great time as a junior at A&M, as a big man on campus?