Trent Cole

Trent James Cole Jr. (born October 5, 1982) is an American former professional football player who spent 12 seasons as a defensive end and linebacker in the National Football League (NFL), most notably with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at the University of Cincinnati and was chosen by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL draft. Cole remained with Philadelphia from 2005 through 2014, earning two Pro Bowl selections, and finished his career after two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

Cole was born in Xenia, Ohio, and attended Xenia High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, track, and baseball. As a senior, he recorded 121 tackles and eight sacks, earning league and area Defensive Player of the Year honors. He also rushed for 1,241 yards and 10 touchdowns, received all-state recognition, and played in the Ohio North-South all-star game.

At the University of Cincinnati, Cole began his college career as a nose tackle for the Bearcats. He became a two-time first-team All-Conference USA selection. Over his college career, he totaled 238 tackles, 19 sacks, 48 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. In 2004, he started every game at weakside defensive end, posting 68 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 22 tackles for loss (fourth in the nation), along with a safety and two blocked kicks. In 2002, he started nine games at defensive tackle before moving to defensive end, finishing with 86 tackles, five sacks, and 12 tackles for loss, earning Conference USA defensive newcomer of the year honors.

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Cole in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL draft, using a pick acquired from the Washington Redskins for wide receiver James Thrash. He signed a four-year contract before his rookie season. After impressing in training camp with his athletic ability, he took over as starting right defensive end in week 10. Despite starting only three games, he finished the year with five sacks and 38 tackles.

In 2006, Cole recorded five sacks in his first four games. After the Eagles signed Darren Howard, Cole initially played only on passing downs, but he became a starter in week 2 following an injury to left end Jevon Kearse. He finished the season with a career-high eight sacks, 84 tackles (leading the defensive line), and his first career interception, which he returned for a touchdown on December 17 against the New York Giants to seal a 36–22 win. He earned first-team All-Rookie honors from NFL.com and Pro Football Weekly. On November 6, 2006, he signed a five-year contract extension worth $26–28 million with a $12 million guarantee.

In 2007, Cole set a personal single-season record with 12.5 sacks. His 70 tackles ranked first among NFC defensive ends. He became the first Eagles draft pick at defensive end to make the Pro Bowl since Clyde Simmons in 1986, replacing Patrick Kerney in the 2008 Pro Bowl.

From 2008 to 2012, Cole continued to produce. In 2008, he led the team in hurries (22) and tackles for loss (9), was second in sacks (9.0), and third in forced fumbles (3), with 98 tackles. He was named to the USA Today All-Joe Team for the third straight year. In 2009, he was ejected in week 15 for throwing punches at Giants lineman Shaun O’Hara; both were fined $15,000. He was selected to the 2010 Pro Bowl as a reserve and ranked 73rd on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011. In 2011, he recorded 44 tackles, one forced fumble, and 11 sacks. He signed a four-year contract extension worth up to $55.25 million on March 14, 2012, but that season he posted career lows of three sacks and 40 combined tackles.

Under new head coach Chip Kelly in 2013, the Eagles switched to a 3-4 defense, moving Cole from right defensive end to right outside linebacker. He rebounded to lead the team with eight sacks and three forced fumbles, adding 56 tackles, three pass deflections, and his first career safety. In a 26–24 postseason loss to the New Orleans Saints, he had five tackles, one pass deflection, and one sack. The following year, he recorded 52 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 15 games, though the Eagles missed the playoffs. Cole was released by the Eagles on March 4, 2015, leaving as the franchise’s second all-time leader in sacks.