Cole was a decorated three-sport athlete growing up, playing hockey, football and baseball. He traveled to Buffalo, NY for many years training/playing hockey and baseball at the highest level of competition, which took him up and down the east coast, pushing his athletic development to the next level.

Cole said, “There are several fond memories that distinctly standout. When I was young, our hockey travel team played in a Canadian tournament and competed against a top level Russian team, after the game we had the unique opportunity to interact with the players off the ice. The next unforgettable moment happened my junior year when our Jamestown Raiders team won the NY State Hockey Tournament and I was named the MVP. Last, but certainly not least, were competing in three (3) sectional title football games at the Buffalo Bills stadium.”

"I had no choice but to work harder than my competitors to prove I was capable and worth the risk!”

Cole dreamed of playing Big Ten football from the time he first stepped on the field. In 2014, former NFL and Michigan State star running back Jehuu Caulcrick was named head coach of the Southwestern football program. Shortly after his arrival, Caulrick recognized Cole’s inherent work ethic, athletic talent and unwavering desire to be the best, and sat him down to discuss his potential of playing at the next level. Soon they had a follow-up meeting to set goals and developed a plan that would elevate his skill set to the D1 level. However, growing up in Western New York and playing in an area that isn’t highly recruited, they both knew he had to be a well-rounded athlete. Cole diligently trained to refine his quarterback skills and held himself accountable to excel on field, academically and as an organic leader, so that he could help lead the team to success and achieve his goal of playing Big Ten football.  

Caulcrick, QB coach John Kinder and the rest of the staff taught Cole how to study film and read defenses while building a high school football program that trained them like college level athletes, which yielded winning seasons and record setting statistics. Cole also put in additional work, training inside and outside the program with Kinder, Quincy Avery and other high-level quarterback coaches to gain the skills needed to play D1 football. Cole said, “I knew a D1 football coach wouldn’t put their reputation on the line and take the chance on a kid from Western NY, especially at the QB position, unless they were certain I could deliver on field success… so I had no choice but to work harder than my competitors to prove I was capable and worth the risk!”

All of Cole’s hard work paid off as he became the #1 rated quarterback in NY State according to Rivals and was recruited by several D1 programs. Eventually, he verbally committed to Rutgers University the summer of his junior year and the reality set in…he was going to live out his dream of playing in the Big Ten! He went on to sign his letter of intent in December of 2018 and early enrolled at Rutgers the next month.  

During his time at Rutgers, Cole maintained high level stats and his first touchdown pass came against Ohio State during his redshirt freshman year. After the 2021 season, Cole entered the NCAA Transfer Portal in hopes of furthering his collegiate football career, which ultimately brought him back home to Western New York and the Buffalo Bulls of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Cole is excited to be back home and representing the “716!”

In 2022, Cole earned the QB1 starting position during training camp and proceeded to have a record-setting season, being one of only three quarterbacks in UB history to ever pass for over 3,000 yards in a season.

On November 27, 2023, Cole entered the NCAA transfer portal. STAY TUNED!