Audie Cole Scouting Report

Cole is one of the more experienced players in college football. The N.C. State linebacker redshirted in 2007, played mostly on special teams as a freshman in 2008, and he has been a force for the Wolfpack ever since. Cole led the team in tackles as a sophomore and tied for the lead in tackles last year (along with 10.5 tackles for loss). Through 11 games this season he has 89 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss (both second on the team). Cole also has 3.5 sacks, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

A great athlete, Cole played quarterback, safety, and linebacker at high school in Monroe, Michigan. He has great size at 6'4'' (sometimes listed at 6'5'') and 239 pounds. Cole generally runs around a 4.8 in the 40-yard dash and he has been clocked as fast as 4.72 from that distance. Scouts would like for that number to improve a little bit at the combine, but either way Cole should be able to fit in both 4-3 and 3-4 schemes at the next level. He is solid against both the run and the pass, but he will want to improve his pass-rushing ability. Look for Cole to be a third-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft.