Greg Cole grew up in Miami, his childhood home located three or four blocks from where Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas was reared.

Cole Ãi¿½” Kansas UniversityâÂÂs team tackles leader entering SaturdayâÂÂs season-ending football game against Oklahoma State Ãi¿½” says he idolized Thomas, who put his âÂÂheart and soul into every play.âÂÂ

Still, ColeâÂÂs favorite pro team played far away from Florida and far away from KCâÂÂs Arrowhead Stadium.

âÂÂIâÂÂve always been a Pittsburgh Steelers fan,â said the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Cole, who has designs on playing in the NFL next season. âÂÂI was a fan of the Steel Curtain defense back in the day. They had Greg Lloyd, Levon Kirkland âÂÂ: even when Rod Woodson was there I always wanted Pittsburgh to be one of my teams.

âÂÂI did watch the Chiefs a little bit because of Derrick Thomas. I like watching Priest Holmes now. HeâÂÂs a great back. I also grew up watching the Dolphins a lot.âÂÂ

HeâÂÂd gladly play for Miami or any other NFL team next season.

âÂÂHopefully one of the NFL teams or NFL Europe will give me a chance to show what IâÂÂve got,â Cole said. âÂÂI love this game. IâÂÂve loved it since I was 7 years old. ItâÂÂs been a part of me. IâÂÂve put so much into it. ItâÂÂs taught me a lot about life. IâÂÂd like to continue playing.âÂÂ

ThereâÂÂs a chance that will happen, says first-year KU coach Mark Mangino.

âÂÂA lot of NFL scouts find him intriguing. They really like his speed. They like his heart, the way he plays,â Mangino said of Cole, KUâÂÂs all-time leader in single-season tackles for loss with 22. The old record was 201âÂÂ2 by Ron Warner in 1997.

âÂÂI think heâÂÂs got to find a ballclub that likes to do a lot of blitzing because thatâÂÂs what Greg is very, very good at. HeâÂÂs very good at playing the game on the other side of the line of scrimmage. ItâÂÂs one of those situations that on the right team with the right system that fits his talent with his speed and across-the-line-of-scrimmage play and pass-rush ability, heâÂÂll do fine.âÂÂ

Cole, a team captain who has 99 tackles entering the OSU contest, said his future is probably at strong safety or outside linebacker.

âÂÂI am not big enough to be in the middle,â he said. âÂÂIn my mind I think I bring a lot of speed to the table. A lot of players donâÂÂt have the speed I have. I may not have the size, but I play with my heart and feel as long as I play with that I can accomplish anything.âÂÂ

Cole said he will attend the NFL Combine next spring in an attempt to catch the eye of pro scouts.

âÂÂAfter Saturday IâÂÂm going to take a break. IâÂÂll take two weeks off. IâÂÂve not been home for Thanksgiving since IâÂÂve been in college. ItâÂÂll be good to see my family and relax quite a bit,â Cole said. âÂÂThen I will come back and work with the coaches here, hit the weight room hard and get ready for the combines.âÂÂ

More than anything, on Saturday Cole wants to go out a winner.

âÂÂI donâÂÂt get to go to a bowl. I want to stop them from going to a bowl,â he said of OSU, which still has bowl aspirations. âÂÂI want to go out with a win not for myself, but for all the other seniors. WeâÂÂve put in a lot of work and really want a victory.âÂÂ

Mangino says Cole deserves a career-ending win.

âÂÂHeâÂÂs been a great player for us. HeâÂÂs a great person. He plays with great heart and weâÂÂre really, really exited for Greg Cole because heâÂÂs very deserving. He plays his tail off every play,â the coach said.