Cole Turner Bio
Nicolas “Cole” Turner is an American professional football tight end for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 16, 2000, in Clackamas, Oregon, Turner played college football for the Nevada Wolf Pack, where he began his career as a wide receiver before making the switch to tight end during his senior season. Selected by the Washington Commanders in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft, Turner is continuing his professional career in the NFL after spending his first three seasons in Washington.
Early Life and Background
Turner was born on March 16, 2000, in Clackamas, Oregon. He grew up in the same community where he would later attend high school, developing his athletic foundation in a region known for producing competitive football talent. Coming from a family with deep football ties, Turner was introduced to the sport at an early age through his father, Kelly Turner, who played tight end for Purdue from 1987 to 1990.
Turner attended Clackamas High School, where he distinguished himself as a two-sport athlete in both football and basketball. He helped lead the football team to three consecutive conference titles and a state championship in 2017. As a senior that same year, Turner led the state of Oregon in receiving with 76 receptions for 1,325 yards and 20 touchdowns, earning him all-state honors and establishing him as one of the most productive receivers in the state.
Path to American Football
Following his decorated high school career, Turner enrolled at the University of Nevada, Reno in 2018 to play college football. He appeared in 12 games as a freshman for the Nevada Wolf Pack, lining up primarily as a wide receiver. During that initial season, Turner showed flashes of the playmaking ability that had made him a standout in Oregon, working to refine his route-running and build the physical foundation needed for the next level.
As a sophomore in 2020, Turner made a pivotal position change, transitioning from wide receiver to tight end. The move paid immediate dividends, as he earned first-team All-Mountain West Conference honors after recording nine touchdown catches while finishing second on the team in catches (49) and receiving yards (605) behind teammate Romeo Doubs. As a senior in 2021, Turner was named to the All-Mountain West second-team after making 10 touchdown catches, a total tied for second in the nation among tight ends behind Georgia’s Brock Bowers. He capped his college career by playing in the 2022 Senior Bowl, further raising his profile ahead of the NFL draft.
Cole Turner Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Turner was drafted by the Washington Commanders in the fifth round, with the 149th overall selection, of the 2022 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract with the team on May 6, 2022, officially beginning his professional career. Turner spent his first two NFL seasons working to carve out a role within the Washington offense, contributing as a pass-catching tight end while adjusting to the speed and complexity of the professional game.
During his rookie and sophomore campaigns, Turner developed his craft under the Commanders’ coaching staff, working on his blocking responsibilities, in-line alignment, and route tree at the professional level. His collegiate production as a touchdown-maker translated into opportunities in the red zone, where his size and hands provided a dependable target for Washington’s quarterbacks.
Washington Commanders Tenure (2022–2025)
On August 27, 2024, Turner was waived by the Commanders as part of final roster cuts, only to join the team’s practice squad the following day. The move reflected the competitive depth at tight end in Washington and Turner’s value as a developmental prospect the organization wanted to retain. On January 28, 2025, Turner signed a reserve or future contract with the Commanders, securing his place on the offseason roster and giving him a path back to the active roster.
Turner’s tenure with Washington came to an end on August 26, 2025, when he was once again waived as part of final roster cuts. Across his three seasons with the organization, Turner appeared in games and contributed as a depth tight end, providing the Commanders with a reliable pass-catching option behind their primary starters at the position.
Tennessee Titans Era (2025–Present)
On December 9, 2025, Turner signed with the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The move offered Turner an opportunity to showcase his skills in a new offensive system and compete for a larger role with an organization looking to add depth at the tight end position.
Standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 240 pounds, Turner brings an attractive combination of size, athleticism, and receiving production to the Titans’ tight end room. His collegiate resume, which included 19 touchdown catches across his final two seasons at Nevada, underscored his ability to function as a red-zone weapon, a trait Tennessee could look to utilize as the season progressed.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining milestones of Turner’s career to date came in 2020, when his transition to tight end at Nevada produced immediate All-Conference recognition and nine touchdown catches. His 10-touchdown senior season in 2021, which tied for second nationally among tight ends, further cemented his draft stock and led to his invitation to the 2022 Senior Bowl. His selection in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft marked the realization of a lifelong goal that began on the fields of Clackamas, Oregon.
Cole Turner Career Wins
Across his college and professional career, Cole Turner has built a résumé marked by consistent production in the passing game and recognition at the conference level. While his professional win totals in the NFL have been shaped by his role as a depth tight end, his collegiate achievements and All-Conference selections reflect a player who has consistently found the end zone.
Nevada Wolf Pack Highlights
At Nevada, Turner recorded 19 touchdown catches across his sophomore and senior seasons, including nine scores in 2020 and 10 in 2021. His 2021 total tied for second in the nation among tight ends, trailing only Georgia standout Brock Bowers. Those performances earned him first-team All-Mountain West honors in 2020 and second-team recognition in 2021, underscoring his status as one of the premier pass-catching tight ends in the conference during his final two collegiate seasons.
Other Wins & Performances
At Clackamas High School, Turner helped lead his team to three consecutive conference titles and a state championship in 2017, establishing himself as a winner long before his college career began. His senior-season production of 76 receptions for 1,325 yards and 20 touchdowns led the state of Oregon and earned him all-state honors, providing a preview of the touchdown-scoring ability he would later display at Nevada.
Cole Turner Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Turner comes from a family with a strong football background, most notably through his father, Kelly Turner, who played tight end for Purdue from 1987 to 1990. Kelly’s career at the collegiate level helped pave the way for Cole’s eventual move to the tight end position at Nevada, giving him a family connection to the demands and responsibilities of the role.
Personal Life
Turner’s given name is Nicolas, but he has preferred going by Cole since childhood. Beyond his connection to the game through his father, Turner has kept his personal life largely private, focusing public attention on his career and continued development as a professional athlete.
2025 Season Performance
Turner’s 2025 campaign was defined by significant roster movement, beginning the season with the Washington Commanders before being waived as part of final cuts on August 26, 2025. He signed a reserve or future contract with Washington in January 2025, but the late-summer roster move opened the door for a fresh opportunity elsewhere. His signing with the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad on December 9, 2025, gave him a new platform to compete and contribute.
With the Titans, Turner joined a tight end room in need of depth and red-zone weapons, areas where his college production suggests he can provide value. His combination of size, reliable hands, and a proven ability to finish in the end zone made him a logical addition as Tennessee evaluated its options down the stretch of the 2025 season.
Looking ahead, Turner’s focus will be on solidifying a role within the Titans’ offense and translating his collegiate scoring touch to the professional level. His journey from Clackamas High School to Nevada, and now through two NFL organizations, underscores a perseverance that will be valuable as he competes for playing time in Tennessee.