C'Bo Flemister Standing On His Own Two Feet
Notre Dame will host several of the nation’s top 2019 prospects for Junior Day this weekend, but there will also be an important visitor from the 2018 class in South Bend.
Pike County (Ga.) running back C'Bo Flemister will get to experience Notre Dame for the first time, and the three-star prospect has come a long way since his early days according to his mother, Cinell Flemister.
The 5-foot-11, 192-pounder started playing football age the age of four, but things took a wild turn the first time C’Bo touched the football.
“The first time they gave him the ball, he was fast and very hyper, he ran for a touchdown the wrong way,” laughed Flemister. “After a while of yelling, ‘Run the other way,’ he was so excited, and he was running so hard, we just gave up and started rooting for him.
“When he scored, we told him he went the wrong way, and he took it stride. He was like, ‘But did I do good, though?’ We kind of knew then that he could take things in stride and he had thick skin.”
The ability to take things as they come is something Flemister learned that day, and it’s something he’s carried with him as schools like Notre Dame, Air Force, Army, Georgia Tech, Navy and Tennessee have offered him scholarships.
“He’s been pretty much the same way his whole life,” stated Flemister. “I would describe him as tenacious. He has always been steadfast and unwavering.”
The Georgia Tech commit stayed loyal to his high school teammates even when he had the chance to gain exposure for himself at bigger schools.
“A lot of coaches tried to get him to go to other schools and even as parents, we asked him if he wanted to go somewhere else,” explained Flemister. “He wanted to stay right here. That’s how he’s always been.”
“He’s dedicated to the team, school and community, but also his friends and teammates. He’s definitely loyal to them. He leaves it all on the field just as much for them as he does for himself.”
The recruiting process can get overwhelming, but Flemister hasn’t seen her son change his demeanor and his maturity has shown itself as time ticks closer to National Signing Day.
“We’ve all enjoyed the recruiting process,” Flemister said. “It’s been a learning experience. C’Borius is a very intelligent kid. We haven’t had to help him much. We weigh in our opinions, but anywhere he chooses, we’re going to support him, and he knows that.
“We’re confident in his decision because he’s really researched the schools and statistics when it comes to football and academics. C’Borius wants to set himself up to succeed whether it’s in football or in life with a career. He’s a great kid, and he has his head on right. His recruiting process has been a joy for us.”
Education has been a priority in the Flemister household, so it’s not a shock that the Pike County standout has made it a large part of his recruitment.
“We’re sticklers for education first,” stated Flemister. “We just made the foundation, and that’s just what he has stuck with. Education is first and foremost with him.”
As his mother, Flemister is also extremely proud of her son. The hard work has paid off, and the reward is a chance to continue his career at the next level.
“When you see your kid put blood, sweat and tears to get results out of it they want, it’s a joy for us,” said Flemister. “He deserves it. It’s not just because he’s our kid, but he’s worked hard and earned it.
“Anytime you put in work and see the results, it’s an awesome feeling.”
But who gets credit for his athletic talents? That’s a debate that probably won’t end anytime soon as both parents would love to take credit.
“I think the jury is still out on that one,” Flemister laughed. “We both would probably say me.”
With Signing Day on the horizon, Flemister believes in her son and his decision will likely come down lessons and a saying that is prominent in the house.
“His dad has raised him to be a man and to be his own person,” said Flemister. “He has definitely come into that. We raised him to be a leader and not to be a follower.
“The saying goes, ‘If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.’ In this recruiting process, he’s stood on his own two feet and made some big decisions for himself.
"We’re proud of that because we see it before our own eyes that he can be mature enough to stand up for himself and believe in himself to make decisions for himself.”