Minnesota Vikings: A look into the future at the safety position
By Luke Parrish
Brian Cole
Brian Cole brings an impressive amount of energy between the white lines. He is not even close to being fully developed as a defensive back but has shown plenty of strides along the way. He originally committed to Michigan as a wide receiver before transferring to Mississippi State. At Mississippi State, Cole converted to safety for two seasons.
His first year as a safety was underwhelming as he only appeared in five games, but he recorded an interception in limited playing time. In 2019, Cole became a starter and made an enormous impact for the Bulldogs. He finished with 67 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and an interception.
With plenty of size at 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds, Cole thrives near the line and is a great blitzer when coming from the safety spot. His closing speed is the thing you will notice most when turning on his film. His raw talent at safety gives a sign of hope that he can develop into a more consistent defender, but the flashes are exciting.
He is best when attacking downhill and in the box. He utilizes great speed when breaking down to tackle and is not afraid to get a little dirty. Cole’s athletic ability and ball skills will keep his name floating throughout camp at the very least.