{{Short description|American football player (born 1996)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Mason Cole | image = Mason Cole (28836975785).jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Cole with the Michigan Wolverines in 2016 | current_team = | number = | position = Center | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|3|28}} | birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 5 | weight_lb = 298 | high_school = East Lake<br>(Tarpon Springs, Florida) | college = Michigan (2014–2017) | draftyear = 2018 | draftround = 3 | draftpick = 97 | pastteams = * Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2018}}–{{NFL Year|2020}}) * Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2021}}) * Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2022}}–{{NFL Year|2023}}) | status = | highlights = * 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (2016, 2017) | statleague = NFL | statseason = 2023 | statweek = | statlabel1 = Games played | statvalue1 = 94 | statlabel2 = Games started | statvalue2 = 73 }} '''Mason Cole''' (born March 28, 1996) is an American professional football center. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, where he was twice named an All-Big Ten selection. He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft, playing there for three seasons. He has also played for the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers.
==Early life== Cole grew up in Tarpon Springs, Florida, and attended East Lake High School.<ref name=Bio>{{cite web|title=Mason Cole|publisher=CBS Interactive|work=MGoBlue.com|accessdate=August 31, 2014|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/deveon_smith_850871.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622171257/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/deveon_smith_850871.html|archive-date=June 22, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=East Lake LT Mason Cole's one part teddy bear, one part beast|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|date=November 21, 2012|author=Bob Putnam|url=http://www.tampabay.com/hometeam/blog/east-lake-lt-mason-coles-one-part-teddy-bear-one-part-beast/15805/|access-date=September 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405020835/http://www.tampabay.com/hometeam/blog/east-lake-lt-mason-coles-one-part-teddy-bear-one-part-beast/15805/|archive-date=April 5, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was a four-year starter for the East Lake football team and was a participant in the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He was also a first-team all-state player in Florida during the 2013 season.<ref name=Bio/> Cole's high school coach, Bob Hudson, said of him: "He's that guy, as a coach, that you want a whole team of. He does what he's supposed to do. He stays out of trouble. He's not late to meetings. He's not lazy. He's always moving. He's coachable. He can take criticism. He doesn't need praise every play. He's what you dream of as a coach."<ref>{{cite news|title=A player 'you dream of as a coach,' Mason Cole set to make history at Michigan|author=Nick Baumgardner|newspaper=Mlive.com|date=August 27, 2014 |url=http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2014/08/mason_cole_michigan.html}}</ref>
==College career== Cole had scholarship offers from numerous universities, including Alabama, Florida, Florida State and Ohio State. In February 2013, he announced his verbal commitment to the University of Michigan.<ref>{{cite news|title=East Lake's Mason Cole picks Michigan|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|date=February 25, 2013|author=Bob Putnam|url=http://www.tampabay.com/hometeam/blog/east-lakes-mason-cole-picks-michigan/16731/|access-date=September 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071529/http://www.tampabay.com/hometeam/blog/east-lakes-mason-cole-picks-michigan/16731/|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=New Michigan OL recruit Mason Cole is 'one terrific leader'|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=February 26, 2013|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20130226/SPORTS06/130226024/michigan-football-recruiting-mason-cole}}</ref>
Cole enrolled early at Michigan in January 2014 at age 17. He was impressive in spring practice and in fall practice, leading to speculation that he might start as a true freshman.<ref>{{cite news|title=Michigan true freshman Mason Cole impressing in fall practice|newspaper=The Michigan Journal|date=August 14, 2014|url=http://michiganjournal.org/2014/08/14/michigan-true-freshman-mason-cole-impressing-in-fall-practice/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903061640/http://michiganjournal.org/2014/08/14/michigan-true-freshman-mason-cole-impressing-in-fall-practice/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Michigan freshman tackle Mason Cole, 18, playing like a veteran|newspaper=The Detroit News|date=August 26, 2014|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140826/SPORTS0201/308260113|archive-date=September 3, 2014|access-date=September 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903103201/http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140826/SPORTS0201/308260113|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=first>{{cite news|title=Mason Cole continues to impress, could be Michigan's first true frosh starting LT in modern era|newspaper=Mlive.com|date=August 15, 2014|url=http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2014/08/mason_cole_continues_to_impres.html}}</ref> Running back Justice Hayes said: "Mason is a phenomenal player, he is a freshman but he doesn't play like it at all. He plays like he's been there for a couple years."<ref>{{cite news|title=Michigan freshman Mason Cole is standing out at left tackle|author=Mark Snyder|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=August 21, 2014|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20140821/SPORTS06/308210082/Michigan-freshman-Mason-Cole-standing-out-left-tackle}}</ref>
On August 30, 2014, at age 18, Cole became the first Michigan offensive lineman to start in the season opener of his true freshman season,<ref>{{cite news|date=August 30, 2014 |author=Brendan Quinn|title=Devin Gardner passes Tom Brady on Michigan TD list; Mason Cole becomes first freshman OL starter in opener|newspaper=Mlive.com|url=http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2014/08/devin_gardner_passes_tom_brady.html}}</ref> and the first to start at left tackle as a true freshman. Since true freshmen became eligible in 1972, only five have started any games on Michigan's offensive line: Bubba Paris (one game in 1978), Tom Dixon (one game in 1980), Dean Dingman (three games in 1987), Justin Boren (one game in 2006) and Kyle Bosch (three games in 2013).<ref name=first/> In the 2014 season opener, Michigan backs set a Michigan single-game record with 9.7 yards per carry (350 yards on 36 carries), and the offensive line was credited with the outburst.<ref>{{cite news|author=Mark Snyder|title=Michigan's offensive line keys offensive outburst vs. Appalachian State|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=August 31, 2014|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20140831/SPORTS06/308310168/U-M-s-O-line-keys-offensive-outburst-vs-Appalachian-State}}</ref>
Following the 2016 season, Cole was named to the All-Big Ten offensive second-team, by both the coaches and media.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2016-17/misc_non_event/16fbawardwinners.pdf |title=2016 Big Ten Individual Award Winners |date=November 30, 2016 |publisher=Big Ten Conference |work=www.grfx.cstv.com |accessdate=December 1, 2016 |archive-date=September 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928055540/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2016-17/misc_non_event/16fbawardwinners.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Following the 2017 season, Cole was again named to the All-Big Ten offensive second-team, by both the coaches and media.<ref>{{cite news|title=Seven Wolverines Pick Up All-Conference Accolades on Offense|publisher=CBS Interactive|work=MGoBlue.com|accessdate=November 29, 2017|date=November 29, 2017|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/news/2017/11/29/football-seven-wolverines-pick-up-all-conference-accolades-on-offense.aspx}}</ref>
==Professional career== ===Pre-draft=== On December 18, 2017, it was announced that Cole accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl.<ref>{{cite web |title=Michigan OL Mason Cole accepted invite to Senior Bowl |url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2017/12/michigan_ol_mason_cole_accepts_1.html |accessdate=August 18, 2018 |website=mlive.com |date=December 18, 2017}}</ref> On January 27, 2018, Cole played in the 2018 Reese's Senior Bowl as part of Denver Broncos' head coach Vance Joseph's North team that lost 45–16 to Houston Texans' head coach Bill O'Brien's South team. Cole attended the NFL Scouting Combine and performed all of the combine drills. {{external media | video1 = [http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap3000000924322/Mason-Cole-s-full-2018-NFL-Scouting-Combine-workout Mason Cole's NFL Combine Workout] | video2 = [http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap3000000918671/Michigan-OT-Mason-Cole-runs-a-5-23-40-yard-dash Mason Cole's 40-yard dash] }} On March 23, 2018, Cole participated at Michigan's pro day and performed the vertical jump (27.5"), short shuttle (4.72s), and positional drills. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Cole was projected to be a fourth round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the fifth best center prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com and Scouts Inc.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mason Cole, DS #4 C, Michigan |url=http://www.draftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=130791&draftyear=2018&genpos=C |accessdate=August 18, 2018 |website=DraftScout.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=NFL Mason Cole -ESPN |url=http://espn.com/nfl/draftcard?playerId=101709&src=desktop |accessdate=August 18, 2018 |website=ESPN.com }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 4 1/8 | weight = 307 | dash = 5.23 | ten split = 1.75 | twenty split = 3.00 | shuttle = 4.72 | cone drill = 7.77 | vertical = 27.5 | broad ft = 8 | broad in = 8 | bench = 23 | wonderlic = | arm span = 32 1/8 | hand span = 9 5/8 | note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.nfl.com/prospects/mason-cole/3200434f-4c15-1246-1bd3-59946ef2215c | title = Mason Cole Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | work = NFL.com | date = March 1, 2018 | access-date = March 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.draftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=130791&draftyear=2018&genpos=C | title = Michigan C Mason Cole : 2018 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile | work = NFLDraftScout.com | accessdate = May 12, 2018}}</ref> }}
===Arizona Cardinals=== The Arizona Cardinals selected Cole in the third round (97th overall) of the 2018 NFL draft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2018 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2018/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Cole was the fourth center drafted in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2018/04/27/michigan-football/550271002/|title=Michigan's Mason Cole drafted by Arizona Cardinals at end of Round 3|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|first=Nick|last=Baumgardner|date=April 27, 2018|accessdate=April 27, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mason Cole Is Cardinals' Third-Round Pick|url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Mason-Cole-Is-Cardinals-Third-Round-Pick/bdfe5769-39cb-4ced-a594-f8d4a1f770f7|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501204502/https://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Mason-Cole-Is-Cardinals-Third-Round-Pick/bdfe5769-39cb-4ced-a594-f8d4a1f770f7|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 1, 2018|author=Odegard, Kyle|website=AZCardinals.com|date=April 27, 2018|accessdate=May 9, 2018}}</ref> {{external media | video1 = [http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap3000000929687/Cardinals-select-Mason-Cole-No-97-in-the-2018-NFL-Draft Cardinals draft Mason Cole 97th overall] }} On May 31, 2018, the Cardinals signed Cole to a four-year, $3.32 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $761,516.<ref>{{cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Mason Cole contract |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/arizona-cardinals/mason-cole-25196/ |accessdate=August 18, 2018 |website=Spotrac.com}}</ref> He was named the Cardinals starting center in 2018, and started all 16 games.
Cole entered the 2019 season as a backup interior lineman. He started two games at left guard in place of injury.
===Minnesota Vikings=== On March 25, 2021, Cole was traded to Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vikings Acquire OL Mason Cole in Trade with Cardinals |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/mason-cole-guard-trade-draft-free-agency |publisher=www.vikings.com |date=March 25, 2021}}</ref> He started at center for four weeks mid-season in place of Garrett Bradbury, who was out due to COVID-19. He then took over the starting right guard spot for three games before suffering an elbow injury in Week 15. He was placed on injured reserve on December 24, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vikings Place Mason Cole on Injured Reserve|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/mason-cole-ir-center-injured-reserve|website=Vikings.com|date=December 24, 2021}}</ref>
===Pittsburgh Steelers=== Cole signed a three-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on March 17, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cole signed to three-year contract |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/cole-signed-to-three-year-contract |access-date=2022-03-17 |website=Steelers.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He was named the starting center, starting every game in 2022 and 2023. In 2023, he made his only postseason start of his career during the Steelers 31–17 loss to the Buffalo Bills. <ref name="t121">{{cite web | title=Official Site of the National Football League | website=NFL.com | url=https://www.nfl.com/players/mason-cole/stats/logs/2023/ | access-date=2025-08-14}}</ref>
Cole was heavily criticized during his time with Pittsburgh. PFF had him ranked at 32 of 35 eligible centers in the league in 2023. He was also ranked the lowest in pass protection of any lineman.<ref name="n943">{{cite web | last=Kozora | first=Alex | title=Mason Cole Rated As One Of The NFL's Worst Centers | website=Steelers Depot | date=2023-09-28 | url=https://steelersdepot.com/2023/09/mason-cole-rated-as-one-of-the-nfls-worst-centers/ | access-date=2025-08-14}}</ref> That same season, he was credited with giving up a sack that allowed for quarterback Kenny Pickett to suffer an ankle injury, which ended his season. <ref name="b800">{{cite web | last=Quinn | first=Bob | title=Steelers' Devastating Week 13 Loss Should Be Squarely Centered On Mason Cole's Poor Performance | website=Steeler Nation | date=2023-12-03 | url=https://www.steelernation.com/2023/12/03/steelers-devastating-week-13-loss-blame-squarely-centered-mason-cole | access-date=2025-08-14}}</ref>
On February 23, 2024, Cole was released by the Steelers.<ref>{{cite web | last=Varley | first=Teresa | title=Steelers release Cole | website=Steelers.com | date=2024-02-23 | url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-release-cole | access-date=2025-10-25}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== *[https://mgoblue.com/sports/football/roster/mason-cole/1602 Michigan Wolverines bio] *{{commons category-inline}}
{{Portal bar|American football|Biography|College football}} {{Arizona Cardinals 2018 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cole, Mason}} Category:1996 births Category:Living people Category:American football centers Category:Arizona Cardinals players Category:Michigan Wolverines football players Category:Minnesota Vikings players Category:Sportspeople from Tarpon Springs, Florida Category:Players of American football from Pinellas County, Florida Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players