Over the next week, Washington Wire will be counting down the top five Washington Football Team performers for the 2021 season.
No. 5 Cole Holcomb (LB)
Holcomb grew into becoming a team leader in 2021, leading the team in combined tackles (142), solo tackles (83) and assisted tackles (59). He and safety Bobby McCain were the only players to return an interception for a touchdown, both having one apiece.
The former North Carolina Tar Heel was fourth in passes defended (7) and tied for second in forced fumbles (2) and also recovered one fumble.
Starting 16 games, the third-year linebacker intercepted two passes, returning them for 54 yards, including his 31-yard pick-six return of Dallas’ Dak Prescott in the first meeting of 2021 between the teams, and was a leading highlight of the Washington defense this season.
Cole Holcomb – PICK 6! pic.twitter.com/2hHD5b9Iyi
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) December 12, 2021
Holcomb’s sacks (1.0) and QB hits (2) were reduced in 2021 because he was given fewer opportunities to blitz, being given the challenge to contribute more in pass coverage in his third season.
Jack Del Rio expressed, “Cole’s done a nice job throughout the year of leading, of communicating, of being productive.”
It was former Head Coach Jay Gruden who reportedly really liked Holcomb in film and was insistent that Washington should draft Holcomb when he was still available in the fifth round. Washington selected Holcomb at No. 173 overall in 2019.
My favorite play from yesterday. It’s great to see one of our LBs make a play in coverage. This one was crucial in preventing a score. Shout out to Cole Holcomb #WashingtonFootball pic.twitter.com/3qReWnV0KV
— WFT
(@_mattschoen_) December 6, 2021