Recruiting Report: Coleton Landis (2019)
photo: John Hulkenberg/ThisWeek Newspapers Coleton Landis (2019), Pickerington Central’s 6’7” 215-pound forward, currently has an offer sheet that exclusively includes Rio Grande. He doesn’t plan to settle in on a college decision until around February, but Landis assured us Rio…
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Coleton Landis (2019), Pickerington Central’s 6’7” 215-pound forward, currently has an offer sheet that exclusively includes Rio Grande. He doesn’t plan to settle in on a college decision until around February, but Landis assured us Rio Grande is “doing really well recruiting” him.
“They talk to me every week, twice a week, just making sure everything’s good and stuff,” Landis continued. “I’ve been on campus there. I like everything they have to offer for me.”
The population of the entire city of Rio Grande hovers just below 1,000 people, a drop-off from the 1,600-plus that attend Pickerington Central High School. Landis, who self-identified as a “lowkey guy,” isn’t concerned though about heading into a rural area for the next four years.
“I kind of like the more smaller atmosphere,” he said. “I don’t go out and party and do all that type of stuff, so that really won’t affect my college decision. I like the smaller campus, the smaller class size. It’s where teachers are really going to focus in on me and my work.”
Besides Rio Grande, Landis listed Concord, Alderson Broaddus, Lake Erie, Thomas More, Shawnee State, Mercyhurst, and Air Force as programs he talks to.
He visited Lake Erie over the summer and is trying to find time for others to Mercyhurst and Air Force.
On top of what Landis likes about Rio Grande, there are a few additional factors important to him in a college choice.
“I want to go to a really family-based program where everyone is super-tight,” he said. “Also, a school that moves the ball a lot and everyone gets touches. And, just a good school overall.”
The 3.9 GPA student-athlete (22 ACT score) has added a lot to his game over the past three years to be ready for the next level, and a senior season run at the State Championship.
“Ever since my sophomore year it’s been our goal to win a State Championship. We fell short both years, just by a little bit,” he said. “This year, definitely, the big goal is to win a State Championship, which I think we’re very capable of doing.”
After being eliminated in the Final Four the last two years, Landis said that he’s learned the team needs to stay together as a unit in all situations.
“Now that I’m a senior I have to take more of a leadership role — just making sure everyone is doing what they’re supposed to do,” he said. “I got to be the one to set the tone every day in practice. Go hard every day.”
There were points in his career where Landis appeared focused on becoming a pick-and-pop specialist. That skill remains in his bag but, this season, he is exploring more of his low-post abilities.
“I feel like [my strengths] have evolved from being more of an outside shooter, like stretch four, but now I’m more of a bang-around and be the five,” Landis explained. “It’s my way of putting everything together.”
The next stop on Pick Central’s 2018-19 journey comes at home Friday night against Lancaster, where the Tigers have an opportunity to move to 4-0.