The fifth-year left tackle is the third Michigan player to commit to play in the Jan. 27 game.
Not only does Mason Cole plan to play in the Outback Bowl, he’s going to give it a whirl once more before the NFL Combine.
Michigan’s durable offensive lineman accepted an invite to play in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 27, it was announced Monday afternoon.
Center @masoncole52 from @UMichFootball has accepted his invitation to the 2018 Reese’s Senior Bowl! #CompeteAndConnect #SeniorBowl #Reeses pic.twitter.com/IBL2MJVxJQ
Cole joins fellow seniors Maurice Hurst and Mike McCray to say yes to the annual game in Mobile, Alabama, an opportunity for graduating seniors to play in front of NFL coaches.
The game – held at the 40,600-seat Ladd-Peebles Stadium – will also be televised live on NFL Network.
Cole, a 6-foot-5,297-pound native of Tarpon Springs, Florida, played all 12 games this season at left tackle, after moving from his previous spot at center.
Mason Cole reflects on his time playing for Jim Harbaugh
He has started 50 consecutive games on the offensive line for Michigan, with an opportunity to match a program record of 51 straight on Jan. 1 against South Carolina.
Asked earlier this month about his post-season plans, Cole indicated a desire to play in the Senior Bowl.
„I’ll go train for the combine, hopefully,“ Cole said. „And then the Senior Bowl and some other things.“
Early projections have Cole, an all-Big Ten selection by the coaches and media, an early-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. A strong performance in the bowl game, and here, would do wonders heading into the annual NFL Scouting Combine, Feb. 27 to March 5 in Indianapolis.
