With only 32 days left until the NFL season kicks off, let’s take a look at the Panthers’ #32, CB Cole Luke.
Bio
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 200 lbs
Age: 25
College: Notre Dame
Hometown: Chandler, AZ
Experience: Rookie
Career
Not to be confused with superstar linebacker Luke Kuechly, Cole Luke is a rookie cornerback trying to make the bottom of the Panthers’ 53-man roster. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Panthers following the 2017 NFL Draft.
Here’s a summary of his college career, courtesy of Panthers.com:
Played in 51 games with 38 starts at Notre Dame. Led or tied for the team lead in interceptions three times and passes defensed three times. Tallied 152 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, eight interceptions, 24 passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
2016 (Sr.): Started 12 games. Ranked first on the Fighting Irish with two interceptions and tied for first with six passes defensed. Posted 48 tackles and two tackles for loss. Returned a blocked extra point for two points against Syracuse.
2015 (Jr.): Started 13 games. Tied for first on the team with two interceptions and five passes defensed...Recorded 41 tackles and one tackle for loss.
2014 (So.): Started 13 games. Tied for first on the team with four interceptions. Paced the team with 11 passes defensed, which equaled the third most in school history. One of 11 players in the FBS with at least four interceptions and 11 passes defensed. Compiled 48 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and two forced fumbles. 2013 (Fr.): Played in 13 games. Logged 15 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and two passes defensed.
In most cases, UDFAs don’t make the 53-man roster straight out of training camp. They normally spend some time on the practice squad and can be promoted if a need arises.
Cole Luke could be different, though. According to Jeremy Igo at the Carolina Huddle, Luke is impressing the coaches in training camp:
The Carolina Panthers had a plan for the nickel position this year. Sign Captain Munnerlyn and draft Corn Elder. Problem solved, right? Well, maybe not. Mynnerlyn and Elder have been sidelined with injuries leaving a vacancy available with the first string defense. Conventional wisdom would think last year’s drafted nickel Zack Sanchez would fill that role. Well, the Panthers flipped the script.
Instead, it has been Cole Luke at corner. A rookie undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, Luke has made the most of his opportunity and is drawing rave reviews for making plays like the one below [Ed note - click link to see gif of the play]
With the Panthers in need of depth in the secondary and Luke making a good impression in his first training camp, there is a chance he make the final roster over guys like Zack Sanchez and Teddy Williams. He has a golden opportunity to take one of those spots, so it’s up to him to take advantage of it.
What do you think, Panthers fans? Does he have a shot to make the roster?