Cole Boozer: Worth the Weight

Redshirt senior Cole Boozer is the ultimate coach's player. He is the player who does whatever the coach needs him to do. It is this mentality that coaches love and they know whenever they need anything from him, he's ready to go.

This mindset was tested going into the 2016 football season. The team needed some extra help on the offensive line.

"They thought that for me to succeed in this program, and to possibly play at the next level, that I had to move positions," Boozer said. "I completely agree with them."

Boozer was always used to the bruising positions in football and in sports in general. Going back to his high school days at Loyola Blakefield in Towson, Md., he played tight end and linebacker. When he wasn't in football season, he was playing its hybrid, rugby. He was accustomed to playing the hardnosed positions in football and rugby. Playing football for Temple University would be nothing different.

Boozer's first season for the team was back in 2013 where he was recruited to play tight end. After redshirting his freshman year, he ultimately found a role for himself as a blocking tight end. In week 3 of the 2014 season, he caught a ball for five yards against Delaware State. That would be the only time he was utilized as a receiver in the passing game.

The next two seasons he appeared in 23 total games. He became a mainstay as a blocking tight end and even started in the 2016 Military Bowl against Wake Forest. Though his receiving abilities were stashed away, he had cemented his place in the rotation and found regular playing time.

The offseason of 2016 would see a transition period for Boozer and a new challenge raised. The coaches needed him to change positions from a blocking tight end to the offensive line. The challenge itself wasn't just learning a new position. The real challenge in this move was his weight. He had to gain 30 pounds to match the other linemen's weight. To pickup the extra 30 pounds, he had to eat food. Lots of it.

"I ate 6-7 times a day," Boozer said. "I ate over 5000 calories in those days. I'm coasting at the moment but I know I have to put it back on again."

For perspective, that is the equivalent of eating nine McDonald's Big Mac burgers, 20 New York strip steaks, or 112 Wendy's chicken nuggets.

Changing positions from tight end to offensive line is not too uncommon. Last year, Brian O'Neill from Pittsburgh was the highest ranked offensive linemen in pass blocking and allowed zero sacks. He is another example of players who have made that switch.

Luckily for Boozer, there was somebody within the football program who had experience in the same exact situation. Graduate assistant coach Cody Booth was a Temple football player from 2010-2013. He joined the team as a walk on his freshman year, made a name for himself as a tight end in the program, and eventually made the switch from tight end to offensive line.

Booth went on to play in the NFL as well. Undrafted coming out of college in 2014, he signed a rookie free agent deal with the Chicago Bears. Later he would spend two years with the Jacksonville Jaguars and then most recently the Washington Redskins.

"He helped me a lot with the weight gain program," Boozer said. "How to eat and what I should be doing and certain foods I should be eating. Also with hydration and the ways to get heavier."

He took his suggestions in stride and put on the required poundage. In the 2016 season, he wore number 87 during games as he wasn't quite ready to go at offensive line yet. He would be featured in multiple tight end sets and blocking situations. This year is a different story. He has started every game this season at right tackle.

This is his second head coach in his five years with the program. After seeing four years with Matt Rhule, he is enjoying the new change that came with new head coach Geoff Collins. He also sees a change in the locker room as well.

"It's different," Boozer said. "I wouldn't say happier or more loose. But we're a faster and younger team at the moment."

This being his final year with Temple as a student-athlete, he's had some time to look back and appreciate what Temple has done for him and what he's done for the university.

"From going from where I started at 2-10 to 6-6 to 10-4 and 10-4," Boozer said. "I've come to appreciate the work ethic. This being my fifth season and I graduated in three and a half years, I'm now pursuing a graduate program in sports business. Temple has helped me become more educated and well-rounded as a person."

Temple University Athletics

Cole Boozer: Worth the Weight

Players Mentioned

Cole Boozer

Related Videos