Cole Holcomb
{{Short description|American football player (born 1996)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Cole Holcomb
| image = Cole Holcomb WFT vs Packers OCT2021.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Holcomb with the Washington Football Team in 2021
| current_team = Pittsburgh Steelers
| number = 55
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1996|7|30|mf=y}}
| birth_place = New Smyrna Beach, Florida, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lb = 240
| high_school = New Smyrna Beach
| college = North Carolina (2015–2018)
| draftyear = 2019
| draftround = 5
| draftpick = 173
| pastteams =
- Washington Redskins / Football Team / Commanders ({{NFL Year|2019|2022}})
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2023}}–present)
| status = Reserve/PUP
| highlights =
- Second-team All-ACC (2018)
| statleague = NFL
| statseason = 2024
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 442
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 4.5
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 7
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 2
| statlabel5 = Interceptions
| statvalue5 = 3
| statlabel6 = Pass deflections
| statvalue6 = 12
| statlabel7 = Defensive touchdowns
| statvalue7 = 1
}}
Cole Holcomb (born July 30, 1996) is an American professional football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft.
College career
Holcomb walked on to the team as a freshman and appeared in all 14 games, mainly on special teams. His playing time grew as he continued to improve and eventually earned a scholarship, playing in 35 games over the next three seasons as he became the starting middle linebacker. In his senior season at Carolina, he appeared in all 11 games (the Tar Heels' game against UCF was canceled due to Hurricane Florence). He earned second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference Honors for his play as a senior.{{Cite web |title=2018 Football Roster |url=https://goheels.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=14307 |access-date=April 28, 2019 |website=GoHeels.com}}
Professional career
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1+1/4
| weight = 231
| dash = 4.51
| ten split = 1.59
| twenty split = 2.60
| shuttle = 4.14
| cone drill = 6.77
| vertical =
| broad ft = 11
| broad in = 0
| bench = 22
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 31+3/8
| hand span = 9+7/8
| note = All values from North Carolina's Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Cole Holcomb, DS #10 ILB, North Carolina |url=http://www.draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1016030&DraftYear=2019 |access-date=November 14, 2019 |website=draftscout.com}}{{Cite web |last=Zierlein |first=Lance |title=Cole Holcomb Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/cole-holcomb/3219484f-4c00-6318-dfc2-c03b54847fbe |access-date=October 2, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}
}}
=Washington Redskins/Football Team/Commanders=
==2019==
Holcomb was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round (173rd overall) of the 2019 NFL draft.{{cite web |last1 = Jennings | first1 = Scott |title=Washington Redskins select North Carolina ILB Cole Holcomb in fifth round of 2019 NFL Draft |url=https://www.hogshaven.com/2019/4/27/18519770/washington-redskins-select-north-carolina-ilb-cole-holcomb-in-fifth-round-of-2019-nfl-draft |work=SB Nation |accessdate=April 27, 2019 |date=April 27, 2019}} On May 9, 2019, the Washington Redskins signed Holcomb to a four-year, $2.75 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $234,884.
In Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings, Holcomb forced a fumble on wide receiver Stefon Diggs that was recovered by teammate Ryan Anderson in the 19–9 loss.{{Cite web |date=October 24, 2019 |title=Cook, Vikings wear down Redskins 19-9 for 4th straight win |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127905 |access-date=October 24, 2019 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}} In week 12 against the Detroit Lions, Holcomb recorded a team high 13 tackles and sacked Jeff Driskel once in the 19–16 win.{{Cite web |date=November 24, 2019 |title=Redskins come back to beat Lions for 2nd win of season |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127996 |access-date=November 24, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}
==2020==
In Week 7 against the Dallas Cowboys, Holcomb recorded a sack on Andy Dalton and later intercepted a pass thrown by Dalton during the 25–3 win.{{Cite web |title=Dallas Cowboys at Washington Football Team - October 25th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202010250was.htm |access-date=October 30, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
In Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers, Holcomb led the team with 11 tackles and sacked Teddy Bridgewater once during the 20–13 loss.{{Cite web |title=Carolina Panthers at Washington Football Team - December 27th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202012270was.htm |access-date=December 30, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
==2021==
File:Cole Holcomb Pick-6 WFT-Cowboys DEC2021.jpg
Holcomb recorded an interception on Jameis Winston in Week 5 of the 2021 season against the New Orleans Saints.{{cite news|work=USAToday.com|url=https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/lists/washington-football-team-report-card-how-we-graded-washington-in-loss-vs-saints-chase-young-taylor-heinicke/|title=Washington report card: How we graded Washington in loss vs. Saints|first=Bryan|last=Manning|date=October 12, 2021|accessdate=December 13, 2021}} In Week 14, he recorded eight tackles and intercepted Dak Prescott and returned it 31 yards for his first career touchdown in a 27–20 loss to the Cowboys.{{Cite web |date=December 13, 2021 |title=Washington-Cowboys Monday Stats Pack |url=https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/washington-cowboys-monday-stats-pack |access-date=December 13, 2021 |website=WashingtonFootball.com}} He was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list on December 22, 2021, and forced to sit out of the Week 16 game against the Cowboys.{{cite news|work=USAToday.com|url=https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/2021/12/22/washington-football-team-lb-cole-holcomb-placed-on-reserve-covid-19-list/|title=Cole Holcomb placed on reserve/COVID-19 list|first=Bryan|last=Manning|accessdate=December 29, 2021|date=December 22, 2021}} On December 27, he was placed back on the active roster.{{cite news|work=NBCSports.com|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/football-team/washington-activates-brandon-scherff-cole-holcomb-reservecovid-19-list|title=WFT activates Scherff, Holcomb from reserve/COVID-19 list|date=December 27, 2021|accessdate=December 29, 2021|first=Ethan|last=Cadeaux}}
==2022==
Holcomb entered the 2022 season as the Commanders' starting middle linebacker.{{cite news|url=https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/2022/08/03/commanders-cole-holcomb-comfortable-at-mike-linebacker-nfl-training-camp/|work=USAToday.com|title=Commanders Cole Holcomb comfortable at 'Mike' linebacker|first=Ivan|last=Lambert|date=August 3, 2022|accessdate=November 25, 2022}} He missed four games with a knee injury before being placed on injured reserve on November 25, 2022.{{cite web|work=SI.com|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/commanders/news/washington-commanders-injury-update-place-lb-cole-holcomb-milo-eifler|title=Commanders Place LB Cole Holcomb on IR; Who Replaces Him?|first=Jeremy|last=Brener|date=November 25, 2022|accessdate=November 25, 2022}} On December 5, 2022, Holcomb underwent foot surgery, ending his season.{{cite web|work=NBCSports.com|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/12/05/cole-holcomb-out-for-year-after-foot-surgery/|title=Cole Holcomb out for year after foot surgery|first=Josh|last=Alper|date=December 5, 2022|accessdate=December 6, 2022}} He finished the 2022 season with 60 tackles and one pass deflection over seven games.
{{Clear}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
On March 16, 2023, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Holcomb to a three-year, $18 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $4.92 million.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=March 16, 2023 |title=Holcomb signed to three-year contract |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/holcomb-signed-to-three-year-contract |access-date=October 2, 2023 |website=Steelers.com}}{{Cite web |title=Cole Holcomb contract |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/cole-holcomb-29221/#:~:text=Current%20Contract,average%20annual%20salary%20of%20%246%2C000%2C000. |access-date=October 13, 2023 |website=Spotrac.com}} In Week 9, Holcomb's first season with the Steelers ended after a serious knee injury.{{cite web | last=Varley | first=Teresa | title=Holcomb placed on IR; McFarland activated | website=Steelers.com | date=2023-11-06 | url=https://www.steelers.com/news/holcomb-placed-on-ir-mcfarland-activated | access-date=2024-08-03}} He finished the season with 54 total tackles, four for a loss, two quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, and two passes defensed.{{cite web | last=Simmons | first=Myles | title=Report: Cole Holcomb out for season with serious knee injury | website=NBC Sports | date=2023-11-03 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/report-cole-holcomb-out-for-season-with-serious-knee-injury | access-date=2024-08-03}}
Holcomb began the 2024 season on the reserve/PUP list while recovering from the knee injury.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=August 27, 2024 |title=Steelers trim 2024 roster to 53 players |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-trim-2024-roster-to-53-players |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=Steelers.com}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Twitter|ColeHolcomb_}}
{{footballstats|yahoo=32005|espn=3116689|nfl=cole-holcomb}}
- [https://www.steelers.com/team/players-roster/cole-holcomb/ Pittsburgh Steelers bio]
- [https://goheels.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=14307 North Carolina Tar Heels bio]
{{Pittsburgh Steelers roster navbox}}
{{Redskins2019DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Holcomb, Cole}}
Category:American football linebackers
Category:North Carolina Tar Heels football players
Category:Sportspeople from New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Category:Players of American football from Volusia County, Florida
Category:Washington Commanders players
Category:Washington Football Team players