Trent Cole Trent Cole Jr . ( born October 5 , 1982 ) is an American football Outside linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He played college football for the University of Cincinnati . He was drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft . Early years . Cole was born in Xenia , Ohio . He starred at Xenia High School , earning League and Area Defensive Player of the Year honors after posting 121 tackles and 8 sacks as a senior . He also rushed for 1 , 241 yards and 10 touchdowns on his way to earning all - state honors , and played in the Ohio North - South all - star game . He lettered in basketball , track and baseball as well as football . College career . While attending the University of Cincinnati , Cole played for the Cincinnati Bearcats football team . He initially played nose tackle for the Bearcats . He was a two - time first - team All - Conference USA selection . Cole finished his career with 238 tackles , 19 sacks , 48 tackles for a loss , four forced fumbles , and two recovered fumbles . He started every game at weakside defensive end in 2004 , totaling 68 tackles , 8 . 5 sacks , and 22 tackles for a loss ( 4th in nation ) . Also registered a safety and two blocked kicks . In 2002 , he started nine games at defensive tackle before moving to defensive end and posted 86 tackles , five sacks , and 12 tackles for a loss , en route to Conference USA defensive newcomer of the year honors . Professional career . Philadelphia Eagles . 2005 . Cole was selected in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles with the draft pick acquired from the Washington Redskins for wide receiver James Thrash . He signed a 4 - year contract before his rookie season . Cole worked hard during training camp and his general athletic ability impressed many fans and people within the organization . He used this to forge a promising year , taking over the starting job at right defensive end in week 10 . Cole tallied 5 sacks on the year , which was impressive considering he only started 3 games in the year . He added 26 tackles during his time as a starter to bring his total for the year to 38 . 2006 . With 5 sacks in his first 4 games , he was thought to start at the right end position , but with the signing of Darren Howard , Cole would only play on pass downs during the 2006 season . But this changed in week 2 , two weeks after star left end Jevon Kearse went out with a fractured tibia , the Eagles announced that Cole would start for Kearse . Since then , Cole has had 1 . 5 sacks , 26 tackles , 18 of them solo tackles , helping the Philadelphia Eagles carry themselves to 5 straight wins and an NFC East title . Cole was First - team All - Rookie team honors by NFL . com , Pro Football Weekly after the season . Cole signed a five - year contract extension on November 6 , 2006 worth $ 26 – 28 million with a $ 12 million guarantee , which could keep him with the Eagles until 2013 . On December 17 , 2006 against the New York Giants , Cole recorded the first interception and touchdown of his career . This interception gave the Eagles a 14 - point lead with under 3 minutes left . The touchdown by Cole sealed the Eagles win 36 - 22 . He ended the season with a career - high 8 sacks . Also led the defensive line with a career - high 84 tackles and his interception . 2007 . Cole recorded 12 . 5 sacks in the 2007 season which broke his personal single - season record . He was the first defensive end since Clyde Simmons in 1986 to make the Pro Bowl as an Eagles draft pick . Cole is already 15th in team history in sacks . As impressive are his tackling numbers , his 70 tackles also put him first among all defensive ends in the NFC . On January 24 , 2008 it was announced that he would be replacing Patrick Kerney in the 2008 Pro Bowl . 2008 . In 2008 Cole led the team in hurries ( 22 ) , and TFLs ( 9 ) , was 2nd in sacks ( 9 . 0 ) , and 3rd with 3 FFs while making 98 tackles ( 59 solo ) . He was named to the USA Today 2008 All - Joe Team for the 3rd consecutive season , which honors the NFL players whose work does not necessarily garner headlines , but is integral to the success of their football team . 2009 . In week 15 of the 2009 NFL Season , Cole was disqualified with 8 seconds remaining in a game against the New York Giants for throwing punches at Giants ' offensive lineman Shaun O ' Hara . Both Cole and O ' Hara were fined $ 15 , 000 by the NFL . Cole was selected to the 2010 Pro Bowl as a reserve . 2011 . In week one of the 2011 NFL season , against the St . Louis Rams , Cole had 3 tackles and 1 sack . Over the season , Cole had 44 tackles , 1 force fumble and 11 sacks . 2012 . Cole signed a four - year contract extension with the Eagles worth up to $ 55 . 25 million on March 14 , 2012 , extending his contract through the 2017 season . Personal . Due to his off season hobby of hunting game , Cole has been nicknamed " The Hunter . " He is the cousin of Norris Cole , who currently plays point guard for the Miami Heat .