Cole Holcomb Bio
Cole Holcomb is an American professional football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 240 pounds, Holcomb has built his reputation as a hard-hitting inside linebacker known for his instincts against the run and his willingness to contribute in coverage. Across his NFL career, he has appeared for the Washington franchise and the Pittsburgh Steelers, working his way from a mid-round rookie into a starting-caliber defender.
Early Life and Background
Cole Holcomb was born on July 30, 1996, in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, USA. He grew up along Florida’s Atlantic coast and attended New Smyrna Beach High School, where he developed into a reliable linebacker prospect. Coming from a coastal community with a strong high school football tradition, Holcomb spent his teenage years sharpening the tackling and pursuit skills that would later define his professional profile.
His size and production at the prep level attracted attention from college programs, and he eventually chose to walk on at the University of North Carolina. That decision set him on a path toward the Atlantic Coast Conference, where he would transform from an unrecruited freshman into one of the Tar Heels’ defensive leaders.
Path to American Football
Holcomb arrived at North Carolina as a walk-on and quickly appeared in all 14 games of his freshman season, mostly on special teams. His playing time grew as he continued to improve, and he eventually earned a scholarship during his time in Chapel Hill. Over the next three seasons, he played in 35 games and grew into the starting middle linebacker role, anchoring the Tar Heels defense with his read-and-react style.
In his senior year, Holcomb appeared in all 11 games after North Carolina’s matchup against UCF was canceled due to Hurricane Florence. His play that season earned him Second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors in 2018, recognition that pushed him toward the 2019 NFL draft. He finished his college career as a respected leader in the linebacker room, known for his preparation and toughness.
Cole Holcomb Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
The Washington Redskins selected Holcomb in the fifth round, 173rd overall, of the 2019 NFL draft. On May 9, 2019, the team signed him to a four-year, $2.75 million contract that included a signing bonus of $234,884. He broke into the league as a rotational defender and special-teams contributor, learning the speed of the professional game behind veterans in the Washington linebacker group.
By his second season, Holcomb had grown into a productive starter. In a Week 8 game against the Minnesota Vikings, he forced a fumble on wide receiver Stefon Diggs that was recovered by teammate Ryan Anderson in a 19–9 loss. Later that year, he recorded a team-high 13 tackles and sacked Jeff Driskel in a 19–16 win over the Detroit Lions, signaling his emergence as a reliable tackler on the inside.
Washington Commanders Tenure (2020–2022)
Holcomb continued to develop during the 2020 season, recording a sack on Andy Dalton and later intercepting a pass thrown by Dalton in a 25–3 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Against the Carolina Panthers in Week 16, he led the team with 11 tackles and sacked Teddy Bridgewater in a 20–13 loss, showing the all-around skill set that coaches valued in their defensive game plan.
In 2021, Holcomb intercepted Jameis Winston in a Week 5 game against the New Orleans Saints, then later that season picked off Dak Prescott and returned the interception 31 yards for his first career touchdown in a 27–20 loss to the Cowboys. He finished the year productive despite a brief stay on the COVID-19 reserve list in December.
Holcomb entered the 2022 season as the Commanders’ starting middle linebacker. A knee injury caused him to miss four games before he was placed on injured reserve on November 25, 2022. On December 5, 2022, he underwent foot surgery that ended his season. He finished 2022 with 60 tackles and one pass deflection over seven games before becoming a free agent.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2023–Present)
On March 16, 2023, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Holcomb to a three-year, $18 million contract that included a signing bonus of $4.92 million. The deal reflected Pittsburgh’s belief that he could stabilize the middle of its defense. In his first season with the Steelers, he produced 54 total tackles, four tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, and two passes defensed before a serious knee injury in Week 9 ended his year.
Holcomb began the 2024 season on the reserve/PUP list while continuing his recovery from the knee injury and did not play a down during the 2024 season. He returned to the field in the Steelers’ 2025 preseason games and was a full participant during training camp, signaling his comeback to the active lineup.
Driving Style and Strengths
Holcomb plays with a physical, downhill style that fits well in run-defense schemes. He diagnoses plays quickly, fills gaps with leverage, and shows reliable open-field tackling. His comfort in zone coverage, paired with his ability to rush the passer on blitzes, makes him a versatile piece for defensive coordinators who want a linebacker capable of impacting multiple phases of a play.
Notable Events and Milestones
One signature moment came in 2021 when Holcomb intercepted Dak Prescott and returned it 31 yards for his first career touchdown, a play that highlighted his range and ball skills. His 13-tackle performance against the Detroit Lions earlier in his career marked his arrival as a frontline tackler. The 2023 knee injury was a major setback, but his return to preseason action in 2025 stands as a key milestone in his comeback story.
Cole Holcomb Career Highlights
Across his time with Washington and Pittsburgh, Cole Holcomb has compiled consistent production as a starting-caliber inside linebacker. He has logged multiple 60-plus tackle seasons, recorded sacks against quarterbacks like Andy Dalton, Teddy Bridgewater, and Jeff Driskel, and produced multiple interceptions, including a pick-six off Dak Prescott. His career has been marked by resilience through injuries and a steady rise from fifth-round pick to established NFL defender.
Cole Holcomb Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Cole Holcomb was raised in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, the community where he attended high school and developed into a college prospect. Public information about his immediate family remains limited, and he has kept his personal life largely private outside of his professional career. His journey from a Florida coast upbringing to NFL linebacker reflects a steady, family-supported path built through hard work and perseverance.
2025 Season Performance
Cole Holcomb entered the 2025 season looking to reestablish himself as a starter after missing the entire 2024 campaign while recovering from knee surgery. He returned to the field during Pittsburgh’s 2025 preseason games and was a full participant throughout training camp, a strong sign that his health had finally turned a corner. The Steelers invested in him through 2026, so the 2025 season is a critical platform for him to prove his durability and reclaim a featured defensive role.
His preseason performance suggested that he still possessed the quick diagnosis and physical tackling that defined his earlier years. If he stays healthy, Holcomb is positioned to contribute meaningfully to Pittsburgh’s linebacker rotation and bolster a defense that relies on veteran presence in the middle.