Trent Cole

Trent James Cole Jr. (born October 5, 1982) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and linebacker for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles.

He was the first defensive end since Clyde Simmons in 1986 to make the Pro Bowl as an Eagles draft pick.

In 2002, he started nine games at defensive tackle before moving to defensive end and posted 86 tackles, five sacks, and 12 tackles for a loss, en route to Conference USA defensive newcomer of the year honors.

He started every game at weakside defensive end in 2004, totaling 68 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 22 tackles for a loss (4th in nation).

Also registered a safety and two blocked kicks.

Cole played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats, and was selected by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft, where he played with them from 2005 until 2014 and was a two-time Pro Bowler.

He ended his career after two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

Cole was born in Xenia, Ohio.

He starred at Xenia High School, earning league and area Defensive Player of the Year honors after posting 121 tackles and 8 sacks as a senior.

He also rushed for 1,241 yards and 10 touchdowns on his way to earning all-state honors, and played in the Ohio North-South all-star game.

He lettered in basketball, track and baseball as well as football.

While attending the University of Cincinnati, Cole played for the Cincinnati Bearcats football team.

He initially played nose tackle for the Bearcats.

He was a two-time first-team All-Conference USA selection.

Cole finished his career with 238 tackles, 19 sacks, 48 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles, and two recovered fumbles.

Cole was selected in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles with the draft pick acquired from the Washington Redskins for wide receiver James Thrash.

He signed a 4-year contract before his rookie season.

Cole worked hard during training camp and his general athletic ability impressed many fans and people within the organization.

He used this to forge a promising year, taking over the starting job at right defensive end in week 10.

Cole tallied 5 sacks on the year, which was impressive considering he only started 3 games in the year.

He added 26 tackles during his time as a starter to bring his total for the year to 38.

With 5 sacks in his first 4 games, he was thought to start at the right end position, but with the signing of Darren Howard, Cole would only play on pass downs during the 2006 season.

But this changed in week 2, two weeks after star left end Jevon Kearse went out with a fractured tibia, the Eagles announced that Cole would start for Kearse.

Since then, Cole has had 1.5 sacks, 26 tackles, 18 of them solo tackles, helping the Philadelphia Eagles carry themselves to 5 straight wins and an NFC East title.

Cole was First-team All-Rookie team honors by NFL.com, Pro Football Weekly after the season.

Cole signed a five-year contract extension on November 6, 2006 worth $26–28 million with a $12 million guarantee, which could keep him with the Eagles until 2013.

On December 17, 2006, against the New York Giants, Cole recorded the first interception and touchdown of his career.

This interception gave the Eagles a 14-point lead with under 3 minutes left.

The touchdown by Cole sealed the Eagles win 36-22.

He ended the season with a career-high 8 sacks.

Also led the defensive line with a career-high 84 tackles and his interception.

Cole recorded 12.5 sacks in the 2007 season which broke his personal single-season record.

On January 24, 2008 it was announced that he would be replacing Patrick Kerney in the 2008 Pro Bowl.

In 2008 Cole led the team in hurries (22), and TFLs (9), was 2nd in sacks (9.0), and 3rd with 3 FFs while making 98 tackles (59 solo).

He was named to the USA Today 2008 All-Joe Team for the 3rd consecutive season, which honors the NFL players whose work does not necessarily garner headlines, but is integral to the success of their football team.

In week 15 of the 2009 NFL season, Cole was disqualified with 8 seconds remaining in a game against the New York Giants for throwing punches at Giants' offensive lineman Shaun O'Hara.

Both Cole and O'Hara were fined $15,000 by the NFL.

Cole was selected to the 2010 Pro Bowl as a reserve.

Cole is already 15th in team history in sacks.

As impressive are his tackling numbers, his 70 tackles also put him first among all defensive ends in the NFC.