Cole Reflects on Durability, Career and O-Line Brotherhood
11/22/2017 11:24:00 AM | Football, Features
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Offensive lineman Mason Cole has two games remaining at the University of Michigan.
There's Saturday's (Nov. 25) showdown with Ohio State and a bowl matchup. He can tie the Wolverine record for most starts by one player in those contests and run his streak to 51 consecutive starts.
That's an amazing possibility for an ironman who has now started 102 straight games, dating back to his All-American career at Palm Harbor (Florida) East Lake.
His durability is indisputable, but what makes Cole a truly special "Michigan Man" is the passion he has for what he does and the people he does it with and for. When we sat down together earlier this week to talk, Cole didn't try to hide his emotions. The love he has for his coaches, teammates and parents poured out.
This isn't just a football team to Cole. It's family.
And the thought of all of this coming to a close -- receiving his framed No. 52 jersey and handing flowers to his mother in a pregame Senior Day program -- is pretty hard to put into words.
His parents, John and Maggie, have been in the stands for every one of his previous college starts, traveling from Utah to New Jersey and from Minnesota to Florida. His father works for a commodity trading company and also owns a wood palette manufacturing company with Mason's uncle. His mom once owned and operated a salon.
"All of my work ethic comes from my parents," said Cole. "My dad, growing up, had to work and pay his way through college with three or four jobs at one time. He's just always been a hard worker, and built his way up to give his family a good life. And my mom has always been there for the kids (Megan and Collin are his older siblings), taking us to football practice with endless amounts of laundry.
"Those two together, I couldn't ask for much more from them. And they've never even missed one of my games."
Cole is tied for third place with 49 starts with defensive tackle Mark Messner (1985-88) and offensive tackle Jeff Backus (1997-2000). He will tie offensive tackle Jon Jansen (1995-98) for second place at 50, and then potentially match the record of 51 held by defensive end Craig Roh (2009-12).
"I'm just grateful for it," said Cole. "Looking back to four years ago, I never would've expected this. But thanks to athletic trainers and strength coaches -- there is so much happening behind the scenes that people don't see -- it's been a group involvement, and everyone's done a great job to have gotten to this point."
He said the only game he nearly didn't play was last year's win at Michigan State. Cole was ill and running a fever.
"I was sick and that was the closest I came to not playing," said Cole. "But I got through it and played. I hadn't been able to practice all week, though."
Captains Mike McCray and Cole pregame before a coin toss // Cole with his parents, John and Maggie
The work ethic of his parents and grandparents, who owned a carpentry business, has always motivated him to answer the bell.
His reliability and selfless team approach inspires his teammates, who elected him co-captain along with linebacker Mike McCray.
"I played against (Mason) in high school," said Wolverines tailback Karan Higdon. "To come here and join him and see the kind of player and person he is has been very good. He's done a lot for this program, and deserves to go out Saturday with a win.
"He's a fighter and a hard worker, and his dedication is through the roof. I love that about him."
Cole was All-Big Ten second team as a center in 2016, when Ohio State's Pat Elflein, the Rimington Award winner as the nation's top center, was first team. He moved back to left tackle this year, while fifth-year senior Patrick Kugler became the starting center. It was the best move for the team, and Cole was all for it.
He hasn't achieved the Big Ten or national championships he'd hoped for, but the Wolverines were a strong NCAA title contender in 2016 and can still win 10 games for the third consecutive season.
"One of our goals was to win the Big Ten championship," said Cole, "but there have been so many learning experiences this year that I wouldn't trade for absolutely anything. After this year, I will be leaving here with a degree which, obviously, is huge, and memories from the year that will last a lifetime."
What's been his favorite game?
"It's winning the Citrus Bowl my sophomore year," said Cole, recalling the 41-7 win over Florida in Orlando. "After going 5-7 my freshman season and seeing all the things those seniors went through, and we all went through, to win 10 games and go to the Citrus Bowl was just a real special moment.
"I remember all the enjoyment by the guys in the locker room after that one. It was unbelievable."
He was the first true freshman offensive lineman to start an opening game at Michigan, and 1981 All-American Bubba Paris has been the only other true freshman to start a game at tackle for the Wolverines.
Now there's one game left, the 50th in his string of starts, at Michigan Stadium. He will go out with Kugler and classmate Juwann Bushell-Beatty, who has one season of eligibility remaining.
"I came in early that January (in 2014) and from the get-go Pat was a great friend," said Cole. "For him to finally get a chance to start his senior year and play alongside him for four years has been great. Juwann, too, from my class. We've all been through a lot together. To see where we've gone since our freshman year has been tremendous."
Cole also is leaving his mark on the future, mentoring young linemen such as guards Ben Bredeson and Michael Onwenu and center-guard Cesar Ruiz.
"The sky's the limit for Ben," said Cole. "He's not only a tremendous football player, but a tremendous person. I can't wait to see how he progresses and where he goes from here. Ruiz has done a great job and can play either position just as well. Onwenu is an incredibly gifted athlete, and I can't wait to see where he goes, too. All these young guys, their ceiling is that they don't have a ceiling.
"So, to watch them grow, and two or three years from now they'll be having their Senior Day, and I can't wait to see how good they get. It's just been an incredible four years here, and all the coaches and players who have helped me made it that way."
Cole mentioned some of the legendary Wolverine linemen who have reached out to him since he arrived -- Steve Everitt, Jake Long and Steve Hutchinson -- while also noting O-Line teammates such as Jack Miller, Graham Glasgow, Kyle Kalis and Erik Magnuson that he has stayed in close contact with since they departed.
On the day after the 2016 Orange Bowl, Everitt brought a catch of blue crabs from his home in the Florida Keys for a feast at the team hotel with Cole and his family.
"I don't know if there are a lot of places where guys just come back for a lifetime," said Cole. "I mean, Everitt will come back for a game every year until he goes. But it's the same with everyone.
"You come to Michigan, and it's a family here. Not only for you but for the guys who came before you and will come after you. You come here and you join a really incredible family."
His days in the starting lineup are numbered, but he said his days as part of the "brotherhood" of Michigan offensive linemen will never end.
