Cole Pickard

Height:
6-0
Weight:
222
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Walkertown
High School:
East Forsyth

A determined and durable defender whose work ethic should elevate game-day experience opportunities … Will open sophomore campaign vying for a place on the depth chart at inside linebacker … Also expected to play role on special teams to facilitate on-field presence … Earned initial roster position on Pirates' roster as a walk-on in the fall of 2014 … Was not credited with any tackles during a pair of spring scrimmages … Continues to develop in strength and conditioning program … Rated among unit's top 10 percent with a 7.15 clip in the three-cone drill during agility testing … Produced a 305-pound bench press, a power clean of 274, a push jerk of 245, a broad jump of 8'7" and a 4.37 time in the pro shuttle.

2015: Experienced action in five contests during first active campaign on roster … Played in games vs. SMU, Connecticut, USF, UCF and Cincinnati … Tallied only stop as a member of the defensive unit in road finale at UCF during Pirates' 44-7 victory … Hit came on a rushing play.

2014: Redshirted during true rookie season after formally joining program as a walk-on during fall camp … Contributed efforts on defensive scout team.

High School: A three-year varsity letterwinner at East Forsyth High School … Recorded 305 tackles (138 solo) during varsity career … Also credited with 30.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 18 quarterback hurries, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two recoveries and one interception … Tallied 134 stops and 14.5 TFLs as a senior in 2013 … A three-time EFHS Player-of-the-Game selection (two overall, one defensive) … Logged 113 hits, including 11 for lost yardage during junior season … Added only pick in 2012 with a return of 15 yards … Booked 58 stops (38 solo) as a sophomore … Ranked as North Carolina's No. 22 inside linebacker prospect according to MaxPreps.com … Also earned additional letters as a standout in EFHS's wrestling program.

Personal: Full name is Cole Stephen Pickard … A management major … Started playing football ate age five and began wrestling career during the fourth grade (AAU competition) … Older brother (Ian Thompson) was a tight end in the Louisiana-Lafayette program from 2009 to 2013 and caught three passes for 27 yards during the Ragin' Cajuns win over ECU in the 2012 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at the Mercedes Superdome.