Trent Cole

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=Philadelphia Eagles
currentnumber=58
currentposition=Defensive end
birthdate=birth date and age|1982|10|5
birthplace=Xenia, Ohio
heightft=6
heightin=2
weight=270
debutyear=2005
debutteam=Philadelphia Eagles
highlights=
* NFC Def. Player of the Week (W8, 2007)
* 1x Pro Bowl selection (2007)
college=Cincinnati
draftyear=2005
draftround=5
draftpick=10
pastteams=
* Philadelphia Eagles (2005-present)
statweek=5
statseason=2008
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=199
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=27.5
statlabel3=INTs
statvalue3=1
nfl=COL192262

Trent Cole (born October 5, 1982) is an American football defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at the University of Cincinnati and was selected in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. As a senior at the University of Cincinnati, Cole initially played nose tackle for the Bearcats. But at DE, he recorded 68 tackles, 22 tackles for losses, and 8.5 sacks his senior season. Considered too small to be a defensive end by many (6'2, 257 lbs), Cole was drafted in the 5th round by the Philadelphia Eagles via a trade for wide receiver James Thrash the year before and signed a 4-year contract his rookie season.

NFL Career

Philadelphia Eagles

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, Trent would only play on pass downs during the 2006 season. But this changed in week 10, eight 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.

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 iced the the Eagle win 36-22.

Cole recorded 12.5 sacks in the 2007 season which breaks his personal single-season record. He was the first defensive end since Clyde Simmons in 1986 to make the Pro Bowl as an Eagles draft pick. 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.

Cole has recently signed a 5 year contract extension, worth 26-28 million dollars, with a 12 million dollar guarantee, which could keep Trent Cole with the Philadelphia Eagles until 2013.

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