Brian Cole is faster, bigger and stronger.
He’s also a bit smarter and, in his own words, humbled.
But despite a long list of annual setbacks during his college career, the former Saginaw Heritage star and University of Michigan receiver is heading into a senior season targeting the NFL.
The fifth-year senior is expected to start and play a key role on Mississippi State’s defense, returning to his starting position as the STAR safety, a hybrid linebacker-nickel back position that allows Cole the freedom to defend the pass, blitz or stop the run.
“It’s been frustrating and humbling,” Cole said. “But I’ve just kept working, kept moving forward to where I am now. The NFL is a goal, as it is with just about all college players. At the end of the day, I know that I have a degree so that whatever happens, I’m going to be OK.”
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound defensive back could be more than OK. He started four games for Mississippi State in 2018, making 11 tackles with three tackles for loss and an interception. He also averaged 22.5 yards per return on kickoffs.
In the fifth game of the season, in a 13-6 loss to Florida, Cole made a season-high six tackles. In the process, he partially tore his pectoral muscle. He put off surgery for two weeks, hoping that he could still play with a partially torn muscle.
He eventually had surgery, ending his 2018 season and adding one more setback to a series of hurdles that began almost as soon as he announced that he was taking his talents to Ann Arbor.
Cole committed to Michigan and then-coach Brady Hoke during his senior season at Heritage. But after the season, Jim Harbaugh replaced Hoke. Cole honored his commitment to play for the Wolverines and enrolled early at the University of Michigan.
Brian Cole of Heritage looks for running room against Flint Powers during their football game at Heritage High School, Sept. 5, 2014. (Jeff Schrier | MLive.com File)The Saginaw News/MLive.com
He got in three games for the Wolverines, catching a pass against Utah. But his playing time disappeared as the season progressed. And before the Citrus Bowl matchup with Florida, he practiced with the defense.
After the bowl game, Harbaugh released him from the Michigan football team.
He found a home at East Mississippi Community College, one of the top junior colleges in the country. Cole dedicated himself to playing defense and finished with 54 tackles, three forced fumbles, one sack, three blocked kicks and one fumble return for a touchdown.
“It was a humbling experience,” Cole said. “No money. There were times I went hungry. It was tough.”
But the year at East Mississippi led to another opportunity to play major college football, this time in the SEC for Mississippi State. Before Cole could do that, however, he had to take another step back.
Not enough of his classes, credits or grades transferred, leaving him academically ineligible his first season at Mississippi State and giving him a redshirt season. It gave him time to focus on academics, and he heads into the 2019 season with a degree in interdisciplinary studies and in pursuit of a second degree in communications.
The Bulldogs were 8-5 in 2018, falling to Iowa, 27-22, in the Outback Bowl. Still, Mississippi State saw three players drafted in the first round, including safety Johnathan Abram.
“I like my position on defense … I love blitzing,” Cole said. “This is my season. I’m happy here. I’m happy with where I’m at.”
Mississippi State opens the season at noon Saturday, Aug. 31, against Louisiana-Lafayette.
“There were some tough times getting to this point,” Cole said. “But I’m ready for this season and for wherever it takes me. It wasn’t want I expected, but God has a plan. This is the plan."