Beau Cochran signs with West Alabama to play for father, Scott Cochran
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Beau Cochran waited until Thanksgiving to share the big news.
After deciding days earlier, Cochran gathered his family into one room and finally revealed where he would continue his football career, a moment that caught his father, West Alabama coach Scott Cochran, completely by surprise.
Beau Cochran fulfilled his and many other young boys’ dream: committing to play football for his dad. He put ink to paper and officially made the dream come true when he signed to play football at UWA on Monday, Dec. 15.
Beau will graduate early from Tuscaloosa Academy and enroll early at UWA, making the move to Livingston in less than a month.
The past year gave Beau a return closer to home and a smooth transition into a new environment, one that felt familiar after growing up around college football.
“It was very easy to come back to where I was when I was younger,” Beau said. “It was awesome to be part of a new team and a new culture. And it was awesome for my dad to get that opportunity at West Alabama, too. He had an extremely hot start, and it was awesome to go watch those games.”
Beau drew interest from several Division I programs, holding offers from Samford, Murray State, UAB and Southern Miss. While each presented an opportunity, none felt like the right fit as he weighed his future.
“They’re all good options, but the one thing that stuck with me when I was (making) my final decision, is what would little me say about missing the opportunity to go play for my dad? That’s what really stuck with me and led me to my decision,” Beau said.
Scott admitted he was hesitant to recruit his son, initially not wanting to pressure or insert himself into his son’s recruiting decision. Encouraged by his wife to “recruit just a little,” Scott made a small push that set Beau in motion straight to Livingston.
“I mean, how does it get any better than this? To be able to coach your son is a dad’s dream. … I’m getting choked up just thinking about it,” Scott said.
As a kid, Beau grew up around Alabama football facilities, spending time in Scott’s office and locker rooms that helped instill both a love for the game and an appreciation for the work required to play it at a high level.
“I was always around the office at Alabama. It was a lot of fun, and it made me fall in love with the game of football and fall in love with the hard work,” Beau said. “That was always my dream, to go play at a high level, at the next level, and then hopefully keep on leveling up. It was awesome for me to have him as a mentor, and he’s just a great dad.”
Beau, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound playmaker, appeared in 12 games this season and filled roles at defensive back, running back and wide receiver with Tuscaloosa Academy. Defensively, he totaled 56 solo tackles and 24 assists, along with six tackles for loss, three sacks and one interception. On the other side of the ball, he had 18 carries for 83 yards and four touchdowns, added 17 receptions for 145 yards and two scores, and contributed in the return game with four punt returns for 55 yards, and 12 kickoff returns for 170 yards.
Amelia Hurley covers high school and college sports for The Tuscaloosa News. You can find her on X at ameliahurley_ or reach her at ahurley@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Beau Cochran chooses UWA, a chance to play for his dad, Scott Cochran
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