Many opportunities and paths often arise from being a student-athlete and playing sports at the collegiate level.
For the University of South Alabama's Riley Cole, the pathway football has provided has been one with both ups and downs, but also set the senior on a direction to the next chapter of his life.
Cole grew up playing soccer and baseball at a young age. But it wasn't until around the midpoint of his childhood that he began to play the sport that would ultimately lead him down his current path.
"I had to beg my parents to let me play football," Cole said.