Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU's Cole Gardner Signs With Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4/30/2017 10:47:00 AM | Football
The redshirt senior played in 47 games during his EMU career
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TAMPA, Fla. (EMUEagles.com) – Former Eastern Michigan University offensive lineman Cole Gardner (Batavia, Ill.-Batavia) has signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He joins Pat O'Connor (Chicago, Ill.-Saint Rita) and Andrew Wylie (Midland, Mich.-Midland) as Eagles from the 2016 squad headed to NFL camps.
Gardner was the starting left tackle on one of the best offensive line units not only in the MAC, but in the country. A 3.30 MBA student, Gardner was selected All-MAC Second Team on the offensive line. He was also selected as one of six candidates from the MAC for the Wuerffel Trophy, which is given annually to the college football player "who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic." Gardner started all 13 games protecting the blind side for EMU this season. The converted tight end finished his career playing in 48 career games, making 32 career starts. The EMU frontline combined to allow the ninth-fewest sacks in the nation, as well as the second fewest tackles for a loss.
The 2016 EMU football team tied the Football Bowl Subdivision mark for biggest turnarounds, improving on their win total from one win in 2015, to seven this season. As an offense, EMU ranked 35th in the FBS in total offense, posting 455.2 yards per game in 13 contests. The team also shattered the school record for total offense with 5,917 yards, breaking the previous record of 5,010. Other notable offensive highlights for the Eagles this past season include ranking 16th nationally in third down conversions, 18th in passing offense, 21st in red zone offense, and 25th in first down offense.
Continue to follow EMUEagles.com for additional free agent signings as they happen.
TAMPA, Fla. (EMUEagles.com) – Former Eastern Michigan University offensive lineman Cole Gardner (Batavia, Ill.-Batavia) has signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He joins Pat O'Connor (Chicago, Ill.-Saint Rita) and Andrew Wylie (Midland, Mich.-Midland) as Eagles from the 2016 squad headed to NFL camps.
Gardner was the starting left tackle on one of the best offensive line units not only in the MAC, but in the country. A 3.30 MBA student, Gardner was selected All-MAC Second Team on the offensive line. He was also selected as one of six candidates from the MAC for the Wuerffel Trophy, which is given annually to the college football player "who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic." Gardner started all 13 games protecting the blind side for EMU this season. The converted tight end finished his career playing in 48 career games, making 32 career starts. The EMU frontline combined to allow the ninth-fewest sacks in the nation, as well as the second fewest tackles for a loss.
The 2016 EMU football team tied the Football Bowl Subdivision mark for biggest turnarounds, improving on their win total from one win in 2015, to seven this season. As an offense, EMU ranked 35th in the FBS in total offense, posting 455.2 yards per game in 13 contests. The team also shattered the school record for total offense with 5,917 yards, breaking the previous record of 5,010. Other notable offensive highlights for the Eagles this past season include ranking 16th nationally in third down conversions, 18th in passing offense, 21st in red zone offense, and 25th in first down offense.
Continue to follow EMUEagles.com for additional free agent signings as they happen.
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