With the arrival of the sunny season, we are all excited about a shared sporting ritual – our annual summertime talent tracking. This regular event is designed to provide Tampa Bay Buccaneers followers a glimpse into future college football currents, while highlighting potential star names to remember when seasonal requirements emerge.
We intend to ensure this coverage is comprehensive, stretching across all positions, from quarterbacks to every role imaginable on the football field. How these young talents align with different teams – whether Buccaneers, the Chicago Bears, or the Pittsburgh Steelers – remains an open bet and part of the thrill.
Let’s dive into the story of one particular athlete: Cole Wisniewski. At 6-4 and weighing 218 lbs, he is currently championing his football career at North Dakota State University with an impressive physique.
Having a humble beginning as a 2-star recruit, Cole’s passion for sports was evident from an early age. This multi-talented athlete led from the front in different sports domains – football, baseball and basketball – throughout his high school years.
Post his high school period, he achieved the prestigious recognition of being an FCS First-Team All-American in 2023. Later, Cole made a move from North Dakota State, his initial battleground, to explore opportunities at Texas Tech.
As we head into the 2025 season, his career stats spark a curiosity. He is a force to be reckoned with, having accumulated 117 tackles. In addition, the dynamic player has 8 interceptions and 5 defended passes in his kitty.
Backing up these figures are the Pro Football Focus (PFF) numbers for the approaching season. Wisniewski exhibits a solid 72.7 PFF Run Defense Grade accompanied by a 76.9 PFF Coverage Grade. The athletic defender maintains a 12.5% Missed Tackle Rate, coupled with an impeccable record of 61 Defensive Stops.
The striking features of Wisniewski’s game persona include his exceptional instincts, physicality in the field, and the ability to tackle well. His rigour and speed are apparent when he narrows down on targets, and he possesses a surprisingly proficient talent in coverage, not generally expected in his role.
While Cole’s name rings a bell in the college football milieu, it’s predominantly in connection with his games at the FCS, not at the FBS level. His performances at North Dakota State have established him as a strong force in this domain.
Under the banner of FCS powerhouse North Dakota, Cole proved himself as a significant playmaker. After flourishing there, now he is setting his sight on shining equally, if not more, in the Big 12 at Texas Tech in the ensuing season.
Wisniewski’s track record at the Bison – a testament to his knack for securing balls – finds him in a poised stance primed for an impactful 2025 season, even after missing the last season due to certain health hurdles.
The anticipation of witnessing him challenged against tougher rivals, specifically in an offense-heavy conference such as the Big 12, is tantalizing. The forthcoming season could be a showcase of his growth and development in the sport, indispensable for his career trajectory.
His past recordings from North Dakota State exemplify his strong tackling abilities, personal awareness, and instinctual grasp of the game that make us confident he’s set up to make his mark this Autumn.