Quinton Coples, the 6-foot-7, 240-pound four-star defensive end from Kinston (N.C.) finished his junior season with 110 tackles and three sacks. He benches 285 pounds and runs the 40 yard dash in 4.65 seconds.
"I can chase the ball carrier well," Coples said. "I'm focused and have very quick feet and hands, but I want to improve my pass rush. I want to get more sacks next season and get to the quarterback quicker."
Coples, ranked No. 78 nationally by Scout.com, says he has over 30 scholarship offers, and insists he's still wide open. Although he denies a leader, but Coples admits favoring North Carolina, North Carolina State, Ohio State, Florida, Florida State and Tennessee. All of his favorites have offered as well as Clemson, Alabama, Virginia Tech, Michigan, East Carolina and several others.
"I want to feel at home wherever I go," Coples said. "I'm gonna take my time and take all my visits. Right now I don't have any favorites. I'm not thinking about it yet."
He plans on attending camps at North Carolina State, Florida, Florida State, Ohio State and Tennessee during the summer. His first scholarship offer came from North Carolina during his sophomore season. The Tar Heels are only two hours from his house. "It's not too far away and they have great fans that are very loyal," Coples said. "I don't care too much about distance but it's nice that they are close. I think they are an up-and-coming program in football.
In-state rival, North Carolina State, is less than two hours from Coples' house and he's already had a chance to tour their campus during junior day. "It was a great experience," he said. "I got to sit down and talk with the coaches and they are all down to earth. I like them as people and they are also very smart and good teachers."
Although he hasn't had a chance to visits Ohio State yet, he says their on-field success is what impresses him most. "What they did last year was really impressive," Coples said. "They made it to the national championship and are always a top team."
Coples is also being recruited for basketball. He averages 16 points and 12 rebounds on the hardwood. "I'll probably try to do both sports and see how it goes," he said.
He reports a 2.3 core GPA and is waiting on the results of the May SAT.