Jayhawks’ Cole would like to play in NFL

By Gary Bedore     Nov 15, 2002

Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photo
Kansas' Greg Cole (56) celebrates an interception against Texas A&M. Cole, KU's leader in total tackles, will play his final collegiate game Saturday against Oklahoma State at Memorial Stadium.

Greg Cole grew up in Miami, his childhood home located three or four blocks from where Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas was reared.

Cole ” Kansas University’s team tackles leader entering Saturday’s season-ending football game against Oklahoma State ” says he idolized Thomas, who put his “heart and soul into every play.”

Still, Cole’s favorite pro team played far away from Florida and far away from KC’s Arrowhead Stadium.

“I’ve always been a Pittsburgh Steelers fan,” said the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Cole, who has designs on playing in the NFL next season. “I was a fan of the Steel Curtain defense back in the day. They had Greg Lloyd, Levon Kirkland : even when Rod Woodson was there I always wanted Pittsburgh to be one of my teams.

“I did watch the Chiefs a little bit because of Derrick Thomas. I like watching Priest Holmes now. He’s a great back. I also grew up watching the Dolphins a lot.”

Scott McClurg/Journal-World Photo
Kansas University defender Greg Cole put a hit on a Southwest Missouri State player during a game Sept. 14.

He’d gladly play for Miami or any other NFL team next season.

“Hopefully one of the NFL teams or NFL Europe will give me a chance to show what I’ve got,” Cole said. “I love this game. I’ve loved it since I was 7 years old. It’s been a part of me. I’ve put so much into it. It’s taught me a lot about life. I’d like to continue playing.”

There’s a chance that will happen, says first-year KU coach Mark Mangino.

“A lot of NFL scouts find him intriguing. They really like his speed. They like his heart, the way he plays,” Mangino said of Cole, KU’s all-time leader in single-season tackles for loss with 22. The old record was 201â2 by Ron Warner in 1997.

“I think he’s got to find a ballclub that likes to do a lot of blitzing because that’s what Greg is very, very good at. He’s very good at playing the game on the other side of the line of scrimmage. It’s one of those situations that on the right team with the right system that fits his talent with his speed and across-the-line-of-scrimmage play and pass-rush ability, he’ll do fine.”

Cole, a team captain who has 99 tackles entering the OSU contest, said his future is probably at strong safety or outside linebacker.

“I am not big enough to be in the middle,” he said. “In my mind I think I bring a lot of speed to the table. A lot of players don’t have the speed I have. I may not have the size, but I play with my heart and feel as long as I play with that I can accomplish anything.”

Cole said he will attend the NFL Combine next spring in an attempt to catch the eye of pro scouts.

“After Saturday I’m going to take a break. I’ll take two weeks off. I’ve not been home for Thanksgiving since I’ve been in college. It’ll be good to see my family and relax quite a bit,” Cole said. “Then I will come back and work with the coaches here, hit the weight room hard and get ready for the combines.”

More than anything, on Saturday Cole wants to go out a winner.

“I don’t get to go to a bowl. I want to stop them from going to a bowl,” he said of OSU, which still has bowl aspirations. “I want to go out with a win not for myself, but for all the other seniors. We’ve put in a lot of work and really want a victory.”

Mangino says Cole deserves a career-ending win.

“He’s been a great player for us. He’s a great person. He plays with great heart and we’re really, really exited for Greg Cole because he’s very deserving. He plays his tail off every play,” the coach said.

Jayhawks’ Cole would like to play in NFL

By Jim Baker     Nov 15, 2002

Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photo
Kansas' Greg Cole (56) celebrates an interception against Texas A&M. Cole, KU's leader in total tackles, will play his final collegiate game Saturday against Oklahoma State at Memorial Stadium.

Greg Cole grew up in Miami, his childhood home located three or four blocks from where Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas was reared.

Cole ” Kansas University’s team tackles leader entering Saturday’s season-ending football game against Oklahoma State ” says he idolized Thomas, who put his “heart and soul into every play.”

advertisement

Still, Cole’s favorite pro team played far away from Florida and far away from KC’s Arrowhead Stadium.

“I’ve always been a Pittsburgh Steelers fan,” said the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Cole, who has designs on playing in the NFL next season. “I was a fan of the Steel Curtain defense back in the day. They had Greg Lloyd, Levon Kirkland : even when Rod Woodson was there I always wanted Pittsburgh to be one of my teams.

Scott McClurg/Journal-World Photo
Kansas University defender Greg Cole put a hit on a Southwest Missouri State player during a game Sept. 14.

“I did watch the Chiefs a little bit because of Derrick Thomas. I like watching Priest Holmes now. He’s a great back. I also grew up watching the Dolphins a lot.”

He’d gladly play for Miami or any other NFL team next season.

“Hopefully one of the NFL teams or NFL Europe will give me a chance to show what I’ve got,” Cole said. “I love this game. I’ve loved it since I was 7 years old. It’s been a part of me. I’ve put so much into it. It’s taught me a lot about life. I’d like to continue playing.”

There’s a chance that will happen, says first-year KU coach Mark Mangino.

“A lot of NFL scouts find him intriguing. They really like his speed. They like his heart, the way he plays,” Mangino said of Cole, KU’s all-time leader in single-season tackles for loss with 22. The old record was 201â2 by Ron Warner in 1997.

“I think he’s got to find a ballclub that likes to do a lot of blitzing because that’s what Greg is very, very good at. He’s very good at playing the game on the other side of the line of scrimmage. It’s one of those situations that on the right team with the right system that fits his talent with his speed and across-the-line-of-scrimmage play and pass-rush ability, he’ll do fine.”

Cole, a team captain who has 99 tackles entering the OSU contest, said his future is probably at strong safety or outside linebacker.

“I am not big enough to be in the middle,” he said. “In my mind I think I bring a lot of speed to the table. A lot of players don’t have the speed I have. I may not have the size, but I play with my heart and feel as long as I play with that I can accomplish anything.”

Cole said he will attend the NFL Combine next spring in an attempt to catch the eye of pro scouts.

“After Saturday I’m going to take a break. I’ll take two weeks off. I’ve not been home for Thanksgiving since I’ve been in college. It’ll be good to see my family and relax quite a bit,” Cole said. “Then I will come back and work with the coaches here, hit the weight room hard and get ready for the combines.”

More than anything, on Saturday Cole wants to go out a winner.

“I don’t get to go to a bowl. I want to stop them from going to a bowl,” he said of OSU, which still has bowl aspirations. “I want to go out with a win not for myself, but for all the other seniors. We’ve put in a lot of work and really want a victory.”

Mangino says Cole deserves a career-ending win.

“He’s been a great player for us. He’s a great person. He plays with great heart and we’re really, really exited for Greg Cole because he’s very deserving. He plays his tail off every play,” the coach said.

PREV POST

Jayhawk golf inks two preps

NEXT POST

2175Jayhawks’ Cole would like to play in NFL