2020 DE/LB Cade Cote commits to Central Michigan
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Cade Cote visited Central Michigan as a commit to Idaho.
Cote, a defensive end and linebacker from Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, committed to playing for the Vandals on Oct. 25.
He visited the Chippewas on Nov. 29 when they faced Toledo in their regular season finale in Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
Cote, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound prospect, received an offer from first-year coach Jim McElwain the same day.
About two months prior, McElwain reached out to Cote and invited him to attend a Chippewa game at some point during the 2019 season.
Normally, assistant coaches contact prospects. In a Cote’s case, he first heard from McElwain.
"He was a great guy," Cote said of McElwain. "He's been great to me and kind of kept in touch with me. He was a great guy."
Cote said watching the Chippewas' 49-7 win over the Rockets to secure the Mid-American Conference West Division title was a great experience.
Additionally, Cote said he felt welcomed from the get-go.
"As soon as I walked in, I was recognized," Cote said. "The coaches knew who I was. The day went on, they showed us around and we watched the game. I had a great time being there."
Three days after his visit to Central Michigan, Cote decommitted from Idaho.
Cote committed to the Chippewas on Monday.
"I went there, got the offer, weighed my options and Central Michigan is a way better school in a better league and that's where I wanted to be," Cote said.
Cote said it can be difficult for Canadians to gain exposure because of the presumptions that they play Canadian rules instead of American rules.
Cote has played American rules each of the nine years he has been playing football.
"It's very hard to get noticed because not many coaches decide to just come up to Canada to look for players," Cote said. "They're always looking in the States. Just having the exposure is the hardest part of being a Canadian."
In his first seven seasons, Cote played running back but recently switched to the defensive side of the ball during his last two years at Clarkson Football North in Mississauga, Ontario.
At Football North, Cote played American powerhouse teams such as IMG Academy (Florida), Saint Ignatius (Ohio) and Mentor (Ohio).
"Football North was the best decision I made," Cote said. "It gave me that exposure I needed."
Cote had a pending offer from Michigan State but the Spartans did not have room for him in their class.
Cote is the 18th commit in CMU's 2020 class:
Jackson (Mich.) Lumen Christi 3-star OG Keegan Smith
Manitowoc (Wisc.) Lincoln 3-star TE Davis Heinzen
Parma (Mich.) Western 3-star QB Tyler Pape
Green Bay (Wisc.) Bay Port 3-star OG Braden Doyle
Irvington (N.J.) 3-star WR Zahir Swann
Honolulu (Hawaii) St. Louis 3-star LB Lawaia Brown
Pittsburgh (Pa.) North Hills 3-star OT Ronald Novosedliak
Arvada (Colo.) Pomona 3-star LB Kyle Moretti
Akron (Ohio) East 3-star WR Travon Walker
Harrisburg (Pa.) ATH Donte Kent
Sarasota (Fla.) WR Ke'Andre Collins
Maple Ridge (B.C.) DE/LB Cade Cote
Ocoee (Fla.) DL Jason Williams
Bloomfield Hills (Mich.) WR Alec Ward
Columbus (Ind.) North TE Mitchel Collier
Charlestown (Ind.) RB Marion Lukes
Elkhart (Ind.) Central DL Jonathan Decker
Sarasota (Fla.) Riverview LB Jayden Cray
