Cole Carlin: Class Act On and Off the Football Field

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Woodlands High School football team is ranked in the top ten in area 6A football. If I asked you why you think they are so successful, you'd come back with names like Jack Daulton, Caycen Bartolazzi, Eli Lancaster, Jamieson Gavin or any number of offensive players getting all the publicity. The defense probably wouldn't even get mentioned when you talk to the average fan.

There is one excellent football player on defense that never gets mentioned in any local publications. Inside linebacker, senior Cole Carlin is as consistent a player as any of the alleged superstars on the team. If you watch a game, you’ll see how he’s in on just about every tackle. Carlin craves contact. You wouldn’t be far off if you described him as a violent person…and yet he’s the nicest young man you’ll ever meet off the field.

Let’s get to know Cole Carlin is this Woodlands Online Player of the Week…

1) How long have you been playing football?

I’ve been playing football since I was eight years old. I became interested in football because I watched my brothers play and I wanted to give it a try. I’ve been playing it ever since and I think I made the right decision trying it out.

What other sports did you play growing up and why did football win out?

I played a couple sports growing up as a kid. I played basketball, baseball, and football. In the end, football won out because I fell in love with the game. My dad has been a college football coach for a long time and I would always remember watching a lot of his games. His games made me love football more and it made me want to play.

2) Describe the 2025 TWHS football team and why you enjoy playing for the Highlanders.

This is probably the best team I have ever been a part of. The reason why this team is so special is because of how close we are. Some of us have been playing together since seventh grade and we just have great team chemistry. We have three great captains on our team. One is Jack Daulton. He has been our quarterback the last two seasons. Jack is a dual threat quarterback who can make every throw and can also run when he needs to. The other captain is Caycen Bartolazzi. He has been a great safety for us the last two seasons. He loves to compete and makes big plays on the field. Our third captain is Dylan Carpenter. He is one of our outside linebackers and can cover anyone and run blitz calls. He is a great teammate and leader to be around. We have more great players on our team, especially on the offense like Colton Weddel, Eli Lancaster, Lincoln Halsey, and more playmakers. Defensively, we have studs like Jyree Jefferson, Derrick Williams, Magnus Herndon, Deng Wei, Parker Stewart, Jabaric Sullivan, and some more dawgs on the defense. I enjoy playing for the Highlanders because of the coaches and teammates I am with. The coaching staff prepare us very well for the games and practices. I am so blessed and grateful to be a Highlander!

3) Do you like The Woodlands High School?.

I love The Woodlands High School. I love it because of the tradition and the people I have met. I made a lot of friends here and have had some great teachers since my freshman year. I also love the sports here. I have five siblings. Four older siblings and one younger sibling. All of my older siblings have graduated from here and I would go to a lot of their sports events growing up. I enjoyed it and it made me love the school more.

4) What colleges are you looking into attending? Do you know what your field of study will be?

I currently don’t know where I want to attend yet, but I do plan on is playing football in college. I currently have two offers… one from Millsaps College in Mississippi, and the other one from Schreiner University in Texas. Academically, I want to major in Business or Communications.

5) What do you hope to be doing after you graduate from college?

After I graduate from college I hope to do something with sports or the business side of sports. Whether that is being a coach or doing something with sports marketing/business. I would love to get a job after college that involves something like that.

6) What do you enjoy doing away from school and football?

Outside of school and football, I like to hang out with my family and friends, go to the gym, play video games, and play pickleball. Those are things I love to do without worrying and stressing about school or football.

7) Who is your role model for football?

There’s a bunch of great football players I have watched and seen played. But if I had to pick one, I would have to pick my brother, Brady. He was a varsity safety here at The Woodlands High School and I loved watching him play. I went to all of his varsity games and he was a great player but even better, a great leader and person. He is the reason why I am wearing number eight this season. I had to carry the family legacy!

8) Describe how supportive your family is in everything you do in your life.

My family has always been there for me no matter what. When I need help, they will help me. When I do something great, they will celebrate and be happy for me. Like my mom, she would go to my games ever since I started playing football. She loves to take videos and pictures of me playing. When I would look at the videos she sent me, it would make me smile because when I would make a good play, I would hear her cheering for me. So, she has been very supportive of me as well as my family throughout my whole football career.

9) If you were given a million dollars and had to give it to one charity, which one would you choose and why?

There are a bunch of charities that I would love to donate to. But if I had to pick one to donate to, I would donate a million dollars to Feeding America.

10) Three things people don't know about you.

I would say some people don’t know I was born in New York. Not New York City, I was born in Ithaca, New York. Second, I have lived in four different states in my life. I have lived in New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas. The last thing I think people don’t know about me is that I have sixteen cousins.

11) When is the last time you danced? Where? You any good?

I believe the last time I danced was at a concert a year ago. It was a Luke Combs concert and I was with my friends and we were having a great time. No, I wouldn’t say I’m the best at dancing.

12) What is your favorite song in your phone now? Do you have a favorite group?

There is a bunch of great songs on my playlist. But if I had to pick one song, it would be Tuscan Leather by Drake.

13) Your favorite movie of all time.

My favorite movie of all time is The Waterboy.

14) If you were sentenced to death but you were allowed to go on one last date, who would the lucky girl be?

For my last date, my celebrity date would be Madelyn Cline because I think she’s hot. The date would take place in the Bahamas because it is a great vacation spot and I really want to go there one day.

15) You’re a coach’s kid. How do you feel that has helped you in your football journey?

It has helped me a lot ever since I played the game when I was a little kid. My dad first showed and coached me how to play football. I have learned so much from him not only in football, but in life. He is someone I look up to every day. Every time I have a game, he always messages me first thing in the morning and right after the game is over. He always tells me to compete and be a great teammate. Without him, I wouldn’t be the player I am today. He has taught me a lot of things. If you see me play and you think I’m good, it’s because of my dad. So, I try to make him proud every game when I go out on the field.

Defensive Coordinator, Emory Bartolazzi chimes in regarding Cole…
“Cole Carlin is exactly the type of kid I was hoping to work with when I got into coaching almost 30 years ago. Attitude, effort, and toughness will never be a question. He, and his brothers, are the types of players that you build a program with. It has been a pleasure watching hard work, coachability, and loyalty pay off with the Carlin boys.”

If you’ve spent time with Cole over the years, you’d know that from a young age Cole has a very good heart. He was and is a giver and all about others. He puts everyone else in front of him.

Being the fifth of six children, he was very proud and happy when he became a big brother to the sixth Carlin child, Conner. He looked at himself as Conner’s protector. They have been very close brothers/friends forever!

One of Cole’s best traits is that he is very kind and easy to get along with. While football is a very physical game, Cole is a kind and gentle soul. He has a deep sense of humility and is always praising his teammates. You want Cole Carlin on your football team!

Cole will be a tough player to lose on and off the football field for the Highlanders. Players this talented and unselfish are impossible to replace.

Cole, we’ll be watching you and The Woodlands High School football team the rest of the way as you and the team try to get that first elusive state championship.

Tell Madelyn hello for us!

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