The Vikings added to their safeties group from the 249th overall spot of the 2020 NFL Draft, selecting Mississippi State's Brian Cole II.
Cole, who measured 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds, was the second Bulldogs defensive back drafted by the Vikings this year, joining third-round selection Cam Dantzler.
"Man, I called [Cam] – as soon as I got off the phone with [the Vikings], I called him and said, 'Hey, I'm about to be your teammate [again]. You know what time it is – let's get it,' " Cole told Twin Cities media members via conference call. "He's just excited. We work well together."
Cole started 12 games as a hybrid safety/linebacker for the Bulldogs in 2019 and recorded 67 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss. He also added one interception, two passes defensed and 2.0 sacks, which led all Mississippi State DBs.
Here are five things to know about Cole:
1. Journey involved JuCo
Cole played at Michigan in 2015, during which he played three games at wide receiver and on special teams.
In 2016, he signed with East Mississippi Community College and transitioned to defensive back. He garnered attention in the secondary, recording 54 tackles, a sack, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery for touchdown. He also blocked three kicks on special teams.
"That was my first year playing defense. I just had to get used to not touching the ball, not playing offense – tackling and reading offenses instead of reading a defense," Cole said. "When you go from a D-I school to a junior college, it's a major difference.
"Everything is just different," he added. "But it molded me. That's what humbled me; that's what got me to love the game of football again and brought the drive back."
View images of Brian Cole II from is days at Mississippi State.
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II (32) warms up before an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 at Mississippi St. in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II sits on the bench during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II looks on during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II looks on during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II looks on during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M tight end Jalen Wydermyer (85) looks towards the end zone after fighting off Mississippi State safety Brian Cole II (32) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Mississippi State defensive back Marcus Murphy (7) and safety Brian Cole II (32) celebrate after Murphy's interception return for a touchdown against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II does a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II does a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Abilene Christian wide receiver Kobe Clark (88) tries to turn the corner past Mississippi State safety Brian Cole II (32) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Starkville, Miss. Mississippi State won 45-7. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Kentucky wide receiver Lynn Bowden, Jr. (1) attempts to shake off Mississippi State safety Brian Cole II (32) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Starkville, Miss. Mississippi State won 28-13. (AP Photo/Kelly Donoho)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II (32) reacts during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 at Mississippi St. in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
LSU running back Tyrion Davis-Price (3) is tackled by Mississippi State safety Brian Cole II (32) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. LSU won 36-13. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson (2) tries to fight off a tackle by Mississippi State safety Brian Cole II (32) after a pass reception during the first half of their NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II (32) reacts during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 at Mississippi St. in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Mississippi State defensive back Landon Guidry (35) and Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II (32) celebrate a fumble recovery against Kansas State during the second half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 at Mississippi St. in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Kansas State wide receiver Wykeen Gill (21) can't make a catch with Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II (32) trailing during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 at Mississippi St. in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Mississippi State Bulldogs Cameron Dantzler (3) celebrates his interception with teammates Brian Cole II (32) and Chauncey Rivers (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana Lafayetter in New Orleans, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Cook)
Mississippi State defensive back Brian Cole II (32) gets set against Kansas State during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 at Mississippi St. in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Florida running back Jordan Scarlett (25) is tackled short of a first down by Mississippi State defenders including safety Brian Keith Cole (32) during the first half of their NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. Florida won 13-6. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
White quarterback Keytaon Thompson (10) has a pass blocked by Maroon defensive back Brian Cole (32) during the first half of Mississippi State's spring NCAA college football game Saturday, April 21, 2018, in Starkville, Miss. Maroon won 28-10. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi State quarterback Garrett Shrader (6) passes while safety Brian Cole (32) defends during the team's spring NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, April 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
2. Last Chance U
While at East Mississippi Community College, Cole was featured on the premier season of Last Chance U, a Netflix docu-series that follows players in junior college.
Cole was asked about that experience and playing for Head Coach Buddy Stephens, whose temper has earned a reputation.
"I played defense, and Coach Stephens was an offensive guy. He stayed on the offensive line," he said. "If you played offensive line, you did not want to deal with Coach Stephens. Other than that, he was a great guy.
"He gave me an opportunity, though. That's really all I can say," Cole added. "Playing for Coach Stephens was cool. Just with the cameras and the show, they make it seem like he's way crazier [than he is]. He's not that bad."
View the sketch of Vikings draft pick S Brian Cole II who was transformed into a caricature by local artist Erik Roadfeldt.
1 - Sketch
2 - Shape
3 - Flat colors
4 - Line work
5 - Shading and highlights
Final piece
3. From Michigan to Minnesota
Cole grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, and he was ranked as a four-star prospect coming out of Heritage High School.
He shares an alma mater with former NFL safety Stuart Schweigert, whom the Raiders drafted in the third round (67th overall) in 2004.
Cole is one of six Michigan natives on Minnesota's roster, joining tight end Tyler Conklin (Chesterfield), wide receiver K.J. Osborn (Ypsilanti), defensive end Kenny Willekes (Rockford), Eric Wilson (Redford) and defensive end Anthony Zettel (West Branch).
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins grew up near Chicago but moved to Holland, Michigan, in seventh grade and considers the Grand Rapids suburb his hometown.
4. Son of a police officer
Cole's father, Brian Cole, Sr., is a 25-year veteran of the Michigan State Police Department. Of those two-plus decades working in law enforcement, he spent 14 years as a polygraph examiner.
The younger Cole said his childhood was "strict" but added that he has tremendous respect for his father.
"He did lie-detecting examinations, so he does a lot of things where he can tell if you're lying and knows if you're telling the truth," he explained. "He's supportive, and he handles his business. He's a man that's going to get the job done. He leads by example in everything that he does."
In elementary school, Cole's father visited his classroom on "Bring Your Parents to School Day" and conducted a lie-detector test on his son for the other students.
"I don't even remember what he asked me, [but] I don't think I did pass," Cole laughed.
5. Senior Bowl participant
Cole received an invite to participate in the 2020 Reese's Senior Bowl and joined fellow Bulldog, tackle Tyre Phillips, in Mobile, Alabama for the all-star game.
Phillips and Cole also teamed together at East Mississippi State Community College. Baltimore drafted Phillips in the third round (106th overall).
