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Tariq Cole has transformed from a 400-pound high school freshman to a potential starter at Rutgers

PISCATAWAY — Tariq Cole was a 400-pound high school freshman when he first met Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood.

Flood was Rutgers' offensive line coach at the time and he was always on the lookout for big prospects. But 400 pounds was too big for Cole to be considered a serious prospect, so Flood had a simple conversation with the Long Beach, N.Y., native.

Flood asked if Cole wanted to play Division 1 football. When Cole said he did, Flood told the youngster to get under 350 pounds by his junior year at Long Beach High to have a chance.