(Note: Marco Salas will be a redshirt sophomore for the Sun Devil football team next fall. A 2018 Dobson High School graduate, he is an aspiring journalist. We will send him around to tell some stories this year and chat with some Sun Devils. He will also give us some insight on what he learned and what he appreciates about the student-athletes as he produces the story.)
When I first joined the program in 2018, Cade Cote really had an impact on my young career. During the spring practices, Cade would work with me on technique and tips on how to play guard. He gave me pointers on what I should see while on the field. I remember one time after I had a bad practice, he gave me advice and said "to flush it and not worry about it -- bad practices happen to everyone, so just bounce back from it and you'll be fine."
When I heard Cade was getting a sixth year, I was happy because I knew how much this means to him. Seeing him go down last year hurt because I know how excited he was to finally play. His leadership and experience are going to be big this year as we work toward our goal of playing in the Rose Bowl.
Everyone I talked to couldn't be happier for Cade. His journey through adversity -- injuries, redshirting and playing in a reserve role -- all of this he endured now comes full circle for him to display his talents on Saturday nights in Sun Devil Stadium. -- Marco Salas
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When the Sun Devils kicked off the 2020 season with the start of spring practices, one member of the team was waiting to hear his fate -- Cade Cote. Cote, a redshirt senior, was granted a sixth year by the NCAA. With an extra year, Cote is eager to end his career on a high note.
Plagued with injuries throughout his career, Cote was ready to prove himself last year by being the team's starting center. However a broken foot, four days before the season opener against Kent State derailed that opportunity.
"It was a little rough at first. Gerry Garcia was very optimistic. It put things into perspective."
Garcia, ASU football's head athletic trainer, has been through this process before and called Cote's case "the farthest and longest I've been through." He said that the process started in November and got approved for the waiver during ASU's spring break. The process starts with making a case why the player should come back.
"The NCAA will grant a sixth year of eligibility if you have two years of incapacitating injuries or extenuating circumstances," Gerry said. "For Cade, he had a shoulder injury that stopped him from participating to the best of his ability and used the redshirt as the second claim."
It was a bumpy start as the NCAA denied the waiver.
"When we got the denial from the NCAA, I think everyone including Cade was disheartened and down but luckily we kept pursuing it. Clear heads prevail," said Gerry, who knew how important it was for Cade to get the sixth year.
"For a kid who has always worked really hard and has always been a tough kid, it's nice to see chips fall his way," said Garcia. "Last year he was going to be the starter and a week before he breaks his foot. I see these kids work four or five years before they get a chance and to have that taken away is a little disappointing. I'm excited for Cade to have another opportunity to get on the field and have fun."
Others have noticed that too.
Steve Miller, a former offensive lineman who came in the same year as Cade, knows how much this means to Cote.
"I was pretty devastated for him, it was an opportunity for him to get on the field and do his thing, doing it in his own element and on his own for the first time without any injuries or being a sub. It was his time to shine," Miller said.
Miller can't wait for him to play. When describing what people should expect from Cote, Miller said, "He's strong man, he's a good football player. He just needs his opportunity to shine and he's about to have a big year and go out with a bang."
When I first joined the program in 2018, Cade Cote really had an impact on my young career. During the spring practices, Cade would work with me on technique and tips on how to play guard. He gave me pointers on what I should see while on the field. I remember one time after I had a bad practice, he gave me advice and said "to flush it and not worry about it -- bad practices happen to everyone, so just bounce back from it and you'll be fine."
When I heard Cade was getting a sixth year, I was happy because I knew how much this means to him. Seeing him go down last year hurt because I know how excited he was to finally play. His leadership and experience are going to be big this year as we work toward our goal of playing in the Rose Bowl.
.@CadeCote72 named to Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Watch List!https://t.co/IjMvb6zL2D
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) November 10, 2020
Everyone I talked to couldn't be happier for Cade. His journey through adversity -- injuries, redshirting and playing in a reserve role -- all of this he endured now comes full circle for him to display his talents on Saturday nights in Sun Devil Stadium. -- Marco Salas
-----
When the Sun Devils kicked off the 2020 season with the start of spring practices, one member of the team was waiting to hear his fate -- Cade Cote. Cote, a redshirt senior, was granted a sixth year by the NCAA. With an extra year, Cote is eager to end his career on a high note.
Plagued with injuries throughout his career, Cote was ready to prove himself last year by being the team's starting center. However a broken foot, four days before the season opener against Kent State derailed that opportunity.
The Michael C. Miller Football Scholarship was established by Michael and Wendy as a way to give back to the community, help a student-athlete on his journey to success, and show appreciation for ASU's role in their lives.
— Sun Devil Club (@sundevilclub) September 17, 2018
This year's recipient is local OL Cade Cote! pic.twitter.com/xD55XLa9LN
"It was a little rough at first. Gerry Garcia was very optimistic. It put things into perspective."
Garcia, ASU football's head athletic trainer, has been through this process before and called Cote's case "the farthest and longest I've been through." He said that the process started in November and got approved for the waiver during ASU's spring break. The process starts with making a case why the player should come back.
Tim Landers Iron Man Award goes to OL Cade Cote
— Michelle Gardner (@MGardnerSports) December 9, 2019
"The NCAA will grant a sixth year of eligibility if you have two years of incapacitating injuries or extenuating circumstances," Gerry said. "For Cade, he had a shoulder injury that stopped him from participating to the best of his ability and used the redshirt as the second claim."
It was a bumpy start as the NCAA denied the waiver.
"When we got the denial from the NCAA, I think everyone including Cade was disheartened and down but luckily we kept pursuing it. Clear heads prevail," said Gerry, who knew how important it was for Cade to get the sixth year.
"For a kid who has always worked really hard and has always been a tough kid, it's nice to see chips fall his way," said Garcia. "Last year he was going to be the starter and a week before he breaks his foot. I see these kids work four or five years before they get a chance and to have that taken away is a little disappointing. I'm excited for Cade to have another opportunity to get on the field and have fun."
Others have noticed that too.
Steve Miller, a former offensive lineman who came in the same year as Cade, knows how much this means to Cote.
"I was pretty devastated for him, it was an opportunity for him to get on the field and do his thing, doing it in his own element and on his own for the first time without any injuries or being a sub. It was his time to shine," Miller said.
Miller can't wait for him to play. When describing what people should expect from Cote, Miller said, "He's strong man, he's a good football player. He just needs his opportunity to shine and he's about to have a big year and go out with a bang."