Alabama Teen Cole McConathy One Win From National Title

A former Spanish Fort High School defensive lineman will take the field Monday night with a chance to become a national champion, capping a football journey that began when he was just nine years old.

Cole McConathy, now a sophomore at the University of Miami, started his football career with Spanish Fort Youth Football. His very first season ended with a county Super Bowl win and a defensive player of the game award.

By high school, McConathy had become one of Alabama's most dominant defensive players. He racked up 92 tackles and 16 sacks during his senior season, and at one point recorded seven and a half sacks in a single game to set a state record.

"He was just a dominant player, just the type of kid he was, he was the hardest worker," said his former head coach Chase Smith. "He was a great leader. There was no entitlement."

That work ethic caught the attention of college programs across the country. McConathy earned a four-star rating and scholarship offers from multiple universities, but Miami felt like home.

"He just fell in love with Coach Cristobal and who he is," Smith explained. "Miami did a phenomenal job of making him feel valued for who he was."

As a true freshman in 2024, McConathy saw action in nine games and recorded his first career tackle in a win over Florida State. Now he's part of a Miami defense that has powered the Hurricanes all the way to Monday's national championship game against top-ranked Indiana.

Why This Inspires

McConathy's story shows how consistent effort compounds over time. From a nine-year-old playing youth football to a college sophomore competing for a national title, he stayed focused on improvement rather than quick results.

His former coach attributes the success to character as much as talent. "The success he's had is all because of him as a young man, his talent, the leadership qualities," Smith said.

His parents, Theresa and Adam, will be in the stands Monday night watching their son compete on college football's biggest stage, a moment that began with a county Super Bowl victory more than a decade ago.