(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 7)—Former McKendree University wide receiver Matt Cole (Chicago, IL/Curie), who signed a free-agent contract back in April with the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League, will enter the 2020 season as a member of the Dolphins' practice squad.
 
Cole impressed team personnel with his skills throughout pre-season camp, but was among the final cuts on Saturday as Miami set its final 53-man roster. On Monday, Cole was among 17 players re-signed to the Dolphins' practice squad. With his re-signing, Cole becomes the first McKendree player to begin an NFL season with one of the league's teams.
 
After going undrafted during April's 2020 NFL Draft, Cole was quickly inked to a free-agent contract by the Dolphins. He earned the offer after finishing up one of the most prolific careers in McKendree football program history in 2019. He led the Bearcats with 43 receptions for 939 with 12 touchdowns, establishing new program marks for receiving yards and TDs in the process. Of his 12 touchdown grabs, nine of them went for at least 40 yards and averaged 48 yards per TD catch in 2019.
 
On special teams, Cole had 23 attempts for 625 yards to average just over 27 yards per return. That included a 100-yard touchdown return in a nationally-televised game from Leemon Field against Lindenwood University on Oct. 5.
 
As the Bearcats' primary punt returner, Cole had just eight attempts but covered 208 yards to average 26 yards per effort. Cole returned a fourth-quarter punt 74 yards for a score at William Jewell College on Oct. 19. For the year, Cole amassed 1,832 all-purpose yards in 2019, which is the most for any McKendree player in a single season. He also registered 18 tackles on special teams. Thanks to his versatility, Cole was named the 2019 Great Lakes Valley Conference Special Teams Player of the Year.
 
Over his four years at McKendree, Cole set new program marks with 1,616 receiving yards and 17 touchdown catches. His 93 receptions rank fifth all-time for the Bearcats. Cole also sits in McKendree's career top five with 46 kick returns for 1,400 yards to go along with four combined special teams touchdowns. During that time he racked up 3,583 career all-purpose yards, which is good for fourth all-time at McKendree.
 
Cole was a two-time All-GLVC performer during his McKendree playing days while he was a three-year starter at wide receiver for the Bearcats.