Keelan Cole
{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Keelan Cole
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|4|20}}
| birth_place = Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lbs = 194
| high_school = Central (Louisville, Kentucky)
| college = Kentucky Wesleyan (2012–2016)
| undraftedyear = 2017
| pastteams =
- Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2020}})
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2021}})
- Las Vegas Raiders ({{NFL Year|2022}}–{{NFL Year|2023}})
| status =
| highlights =
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 197
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 2,832
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 14
| statlabel5 = Return yards
| statvalue5 = 575
| statlabel6 = Return touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 1
| pfr = ColeKe00
}}
Keelan Lawrence Cole Sr. (born April 20, 1993) is an American professional football player who is a wide receiver. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent after the 2017 NFL draft. He played college football at Kentucky Wesleyan.
Early life
Cole attended and played high school football at Central High School in Louisville, Kentucky.{{Cite web |last=Estes |first=Gentry |date=January 18, 2018 |title=Louisville native Keelan Cole's 'amazing story' nears a Super Bowl with Jacksonville Jaguars |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/preps/kentucky/2018/01/18/keelan-cole-kentucky-wesleyan-jacksonville-jaguars-wide-receiver/1036182001/ |access-date=June 5, 2020 |website=The Courier-Journal |language=en}}
College career
Cole attended and played college football at Kentucky Wesleyan from 2012 to 2016. From 2014 to 2016, he contributed 4,441 receiving yards and 55 receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Keelan Cole – Football |url=https://kwcpanthers.com/sports/football/roster/keelan-cole/3413 |access-date=June 5, 2020 |website=Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics |language=en}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 0 7/8
| weight = 194
| dash = 4.59
| ten split = 1.59
| twenty split = 2.63
| shuttle = 4.40
| cone drill = 6.69
| arm span = 32 1/8
| hand span = 9 1/8
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |title=2017 NFL Draft Scout Keelan Cole College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1021147&DraftYear=2017 |access-date=June 6, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
=Jacksonville Jaguars=
==2017 season==
On May 1, 2017, Cole was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent.{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2017 |title=Jaguars agree to terms with 16 undrafted rookie free agents |url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/2017-offseason-undrafted-free-agents-bring-roster-to-90-18811579 |access-date=August 18, 2017 |website=Jaguars.com}}
On August 10, 2017, Cole played his first preseason game, catching a 97-yard touchdown pass against the New England Patriots.{{Cite web |last=DiRocco |first=Michael |date=August 11, 2017 |title=Long shot Keelan Cole creeping closer to roster spot |url=http://www.espn.com/blog/jacksonville-jaguars/post/_/id/22000/long-shot-keelan-cole-creeping-closer-to-roster-spot |access-date=August 18, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}}
On September 10, 2017, in the season opener, Cole made his regular season debut in a 29–7 victory over the Houston Texans.{{Cite web |title=Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans – September 10th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201709100htx.htm |access-date=September 24, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} On September 17, 2017, in Week 2, he had the first two receptions of his career, which totaled 13 yards, in a 37–16 loss to the Tennessee Titans.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars – September 17th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201709170jax.htm |access-date=October 18, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} On December 10, 2017, during Week 14 against the Seattle Seahawks, Cole finished with 99 receiving yards, including a 75-yard touchdown, as the Jaguars won 30–24.{{Cite web |last=Crow |first=Alfie |date=December 8, 2017 |title=Keelan Cole could be an under-the-radar weapon for the Jaguars |url=https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2017/12/8/16751406/keelan-cole-could-be-an-under-the-radar-weapon-for-the-jaguars |access-date=December 8, 2017 |website=Big Cat Country}} During a Week 15 win of 45–7 over the Texans, Cole finished with an NFL-leading 186 receiving yards and a touchdown, including a 73-yard reception to the one-yard line.{{Cite web |title=Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars – December 17th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201712170jax.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He appeared in all 16 games and started six. Overall, he finished his rookie season with 42 receptions for 748 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Keelan Cole 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ColeKe00/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=October 5, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2018 season==
In Week 2 of the 2018 season, Cole recorded seven receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown in the 31–20 victory over the New England Patriots.{{Cite web |title=Jaguars' Keelan Cole: Gashes Patriots for 116 yards, TD |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/jaguars-keelan-cole-gashes-patriots-for-116-yards-td/ |access-date=October 5, 2018 |website=CBSSports.com |date=September 17, 2018 |language=en}} Overall, Cole finished the 2018 season with 38 receptions for 491 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in 16 games, of which he started 11.{{Cite web |title=Keelan Cole 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ColeKe00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=June 5, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2019 season==
In the 2019 season, Cole finished with 24 receptions for 361 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in 16 games and one start.{{Cite web |title=Keelan Cole 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ColeKe00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=June 5, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2020 season==
On March 17, 2020, the Jaguars placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Cole. He signed the one-year contract on April 23, 2020.{{Cite web |date=April 23, 2020 |title=Jaguars' Keelan Cole: Remains with Jaguars |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/jaguars-keelan-cole-remains-with-jaguars/ |access-date=April 25, 2020 |website=CBSSports.com}} In Week 6 against the Detroit Lions, he had six receptions for 143 receiving yards in the 34–16 loss.{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions at Jacksonville Jaguars – October 18th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202010180jax.htm |access-date=October 22, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 10 against the Green Bay Packers, Cole recorded five catches for 47 yards and a receiving touchdown and returned a punt for a 91-yard touchdown during the 24–20 loss.{{Cite web |title=Jacksonville Jaguars at Green Bay Packers – November 15th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202011150gnb.htm |access-date=November 20, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In the 2020 season, Cole had 55 receptions for 642 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns in 16 games and five starts.{{Cite web |title=Keelan Cole 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ColeKe00/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=July 4, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=New York Jets=
On March 19, 2021, Cole signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with New York Jets.{{Cite web |last=Greenberg |first=Ethan |date=March 19, 2021 |title=Jets Sign WR Keelan Cole |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-wr-keelan-cole |access-date=March 19, 2021 |website=NewYorkJets.com}}{{Cite web |last=Cimini |first=Rich |date=March 18, 2021 |title=New York Jets reach one-year deal with ex-Jacksonville Jaguars WR Keelan Cole, source says |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31088551/new-york-jets-reach-one-year-deal-ex-jacksonville-jaguars-wr-keelan-cole |access-date=March 19, 2021 |website=ESPN.com}} In the 2021 season, Cole had 28 receptions for 449 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in 15 games and 11 starts.{{Cite web |title=Keelan Cole 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ColeKe00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=July 4, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=Las Vegas Raiders=
On May 12, 2022, Cole signed as free agent with Las Vegas Raiders.{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2022 |title=Raiders sign WR Keelan Cole |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-sign-wr-keelan-cole-2022-nfl-free-agent |access-date=May 12, 2022 |website=Raiders.com}} He was released on August 30.{{Cite web |date=August 30, 2022 |title=Raiders finalize initial 53-man roster for the 2022 season |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-finalize-initial-53-man-roster-2022-season-transactions-waive-release |access-date=June 24, 2023 |website=Raiders.com}} On September 6, Cole was re-signed to the team's practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Damien |first=Levi |date=September 6, 2022 |title=Raiders re-sign G Alex Bars, WR Keelan Cole to practice squad |url=https://raiderswire.usatoday.com/2022/09/06/raiders-re-sign-g-alex-bars-wr-keelan-cole-to-practice-squad/ |access-date=July 4, 2023 |website=Raiders Wire |publisher=USA Today}} On September 13, Cole was signed to the active roster.{{Cite web |date=September 14, 2022 |title=Raiders sign WR Keelan Cole to active roster, place WR DJ Turner on reserve/injured list |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-sign-wr-keelan-cole-to-active-roster-place-wr-dj-turner-reserve-injured |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=Raiders.com}} He appeared in 14 games and started three in the 2022 season. Cole recorded ten receptions for 141 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. He handled some punt return duties as well.{{Cite web |title=Keelan Cole 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ColeKe00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=July 4, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
On March 23, 2023, Cole re-signed with the Raiders.{{Cite web |date=March 23, 2023 |title=Raiders re-sign WR Keelan Cole Sr. |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-re-sign-wide-receiver-keelan-cole-sr-2023-nfl-free-agency-transactions |access-date=March 23, 2023 |website=Raiders.com}} He was released on August 29.{{Cite web |date=August 29, 2023 |title=Raiders finalize initial 53-man roster for the 2023 season |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-finalize-initial-53-man-roster-2023-nfl-season-transactions-08292023 |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=Raiders.com}} Cole was re-signed to the practice squad on September 5.{{Cite web |date=September 5, 2023 |title=Raiders sign WR Keelan Cole Sr. to practice squad |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-sign-wr-keelan-cole-sr-to-practice-squad-nfl-2023-transactions-week-1 |access-date=September 5, 2023 |website=Raiders.com |language=en-US}} His contract expired when the teams season ended January 7, 2024.
NFL career statistics
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
| 2017 || JAX
| 16 || 6 || 42 || 748 || 17.8 || 75T || 3 || 2 || 1 | ||||||||
| 2018 || JAX
| 16 || 11 || 38 || 491 || 12.9 || 35 || 1 || 2 || 2 | ||||||||
| 2019 || JAX
| 16 || 1 || 24 || 361 || 15.0 || 55 || 3 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||
| 2020 || JAX
| 16 || 5 || 55 || 642 || 11.7 || 51 || 5 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||
| 2021 || NYJ
| 15 || 11|| 28 || 449 || 16.0 || 54 || 1 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||
| 2022 || LVR
| 14 || 3|| 10 || 141 || 14.1 || 30 || 1 || 1 || 0 | ||||||||
| colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ColeKe00.htm Career] || 93 || 37 || 197 || 2,832 || 14.4 || 75T || 14 || 5 || 3 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{footballstats|espn=3071572|yahoo=30396}}
- [http://www.kwcpanthers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3413 Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cole, Keelan}}
Category:Players of American football from Louisville, Kentucky
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers football players
Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players