Regarded as one of the best blockers at his position, the Cole Bennett was hoping his first season as a full-time starter at Auburn would be a breakout season.

An imposing physical specimen, his hopes were dashed in the third game of the 2006 season, when he suffered a right ankle fracture vs. Louisiana State that sidelined him for the rest of the year.

Surgery was performed in September 2006 to insert a pin his ankle. Bennett spent six weeks in a cast or boot. He returned to practice at the end of October, hoping to play in the final two games, but his muscles simply weren't yet ready to cooperate fully.

His new goal was to be healthy for Auburn's 2007 season, as he was granted an additional year of eligibility. Bennett applied for a medical hardship, despite having already earned his degree in Management Information Systems and having stated that he intended to leave the school after the 2006 season. Bennett said the primary hurdle in his recovery was regaining strength in his leg. Once that was accomplished, he changed his mind and rejoined the team for one more year.

"It was a matter of evaluating if the ankle is strong enough, is the knee strong enough?" Cole said. "Some days it feels better than others. Basically, it's just a strength and confidence issue. When you play football, you understand that any play could be your last," he said. "You're not guaranteed anything in this sport. I knew every time I stepped on the field I wasn't guaranteed another play."

Bennett is known for his smarts, and his value at tight end came as much from his bruising blocking as his keen knowledge of the Tigers' playbook. He did not sit by idly while he was sidelined, undergoing a rigorous rehabilitation program and also took on a role as an unofficial coach. When he was injured, Auburn was forced to turn over the tight end position to two redshirt freshmen -- Tommy Trott and Gabe McKenzie. The players did well splitting time at the position.

As a prep, Bennett was a four-year starter as an outside linebacker and tight end at Dalton High School. He was a member of the Atlanta Journal Constitution Georgia Top 50 squad and added Georgia Class 4A All-State honorable mention. He was a three-time All-Area pick by the Daily Citizen-News and earned Chattanooga Times Best of the Preps first-team offensive accolades. A member of the National Honor Society, Cole was a 2002 Georgia Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Award winner and an Associated Press Scholar/Athlete.

He finished his senior season with 20 catches for 264 yards and four touchdowns and also registered 28 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and five sacks playing outside linebacker. As a junior, he caught 38 passes for 640 yards and six touchdowns and had 20 tackles, four sacks and one fumble recovery on defense, leading Dalton to a 13-2 record and a berth in the class 4A state title game that year. Cole also lettered three years in basketball and track, winning the regional high jump title.

Bennett played in 11 games as a true freshman at Auburn in 2003, starting vs. Western Kentucky. His academic excellence in high school saw him arrive on campus with 27 college credits before enrolling in his first class. He was used mostly in blocking situations, finishing with six receptions for 66 yards (11-yard average) and one touchdown.

He played behind Cooper Wallace at tight end in 2004, appearing in 13 games. He had only one reception for six yards, but recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown vs. Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game.

Bennett started four of 12 contests for the Tigers in 2005. He produced a career-high nine catches for 107 yards (11.9-yard average) and a pair of touchdowns. He also recorded one solo tackle. He started two of three games in 2006 before fracturing his ankle vs. Louisiana State. He totaled 25 yards on two grabs before heading to the sidelines for the rest of the regular season.

Back for one last chance to establish himself in 2007, Bennett started all 13 games. He grabbed a career-high 11 passes for 108 yards (9.8-yard average), but failed to score any touchdowns. He also returned three kickoffs for 19 yards (6.3 avg).

In 52 games at Auburn, Bennett earned 20 starts. His primary role was as a blocker, as he caught only 29 passes for 312 yards (10.8-yard average) and three touchdowns. He added a touchdown on an end zone fumble recovery and also came up with one solo tackle while adding 19 yards on three kickoff returns (6.3 avg).

Positives: Has a tall, thick frame with excellent chest thickness, broad shoulders, muscular arms, tight waist and adequate thigh and calf thickness … His frame could carry at least another 30 pounds of bulk (lost over 20 pounds prior to 2007 to improve his foot speed) and could eventually grow into a Matt Lepsis (Denver) type of offensive lineman (has the bone structure to develop further) … Has decent release speed and the long arms to get a good push to defeat the jam … Lacks speed to get into his routes, but demonstrates efficient body control and good focus to adjust and compete for the ball over the middle … Very intelligent player who is like a coach on the field, as he knows all of his teammates assignments and is perfectly capable of making blocking calls … Despite a lack of quickness, his field vision lets him quickly spot the soft areas and get open when working underneath … Leader-by-example type and self starter who studies film and mentors younger players … Better cut blocker than in-line, as he is effective at taking angles and latching on to second-level defenders, neutralizing his opponent while running his feet to sustain … Knows how to use his frame to shield passes from defenders and latch on and drive off when executing a lead block … Runs precise routes and is a big target over the middle, doing a nice job of extending his long arms to catch outside his frame … Has had only limited opportunities as a receiver, but looks the ball in well and has the hands and agility to reach high or low for the pass … Does a good job of contorting his body and powering through trash to compete for jump balls … Knows how to lower his pads, square his shoulders and drive through tackles in man coverage … Could be quite effective on crossing routes, as he catches the ball in stride and uses his frame well to shield it from the opponent … Best as a position blocker on the perimeter, with the size to occupy a lineman (needs to sustain longer).

Negatives: Lacks flexibility and adequate quickness, making him a possible candidate to move to the offensive line, as he struggles to separate as a receiver or gain valid yardage after the catch … Lacks the loose hips to generate fluid change-of-direction agility and needs room to build to top speed (shuffles his feet getting into his routes, impeding his acceleration) … Has the frame to be an effective drive blocker, but gets too tall in his stance and has only adequate strength to create movement for the ground attack … Crisp route runner, but does not have the second gear to elude and takes time to rebuild to top speed once he stops to look the ball in (better when catching in stride than with stop-and-go action) … Liability in the deep secondary due to a lack of speed to stretch the defense … Must learn to sink his hips and keep his base wide when blocking in-line, as some physical defenders can drive him back in the pocket when his stance gets too tall and narrow … Still struggling to put weight on his injured right ankle and further medical evaluation is needed.

Compares To: KYLE BRADY-New England … Like Brady, Bennett is like having another lineman blocking for the ground game. Brady is more bulky, but Bennett can add the needed weight to compete as a blocker or down lineman at the next level, as he did play at 265 pounds in 2006. Neither tight end will win any footraces, but Bennett has the natural hands, long arms and timing on his leaps to compete for the ball underneath.

1993: Underwent hernia surgery in January.

1998: Diagnosed with Osgood-Slaughter (long jumping put a strain on his knees and they aren't able to keep up with the speed of his growth) in his right knee.

2002: Underwent surgery to repair right knee anterior cruciate ligament damage in January.

2006: Suffered a right ankle bone fracture vs. Louisiana State (9/16) and underwent surgery (9/18) to have a pin inserted. Spent six weeks in a cast and then a protective boot, returning to practices on Oct. 31. Did not play in the team's final two games of the regular season, as he struggled to put weight on the foot due to muscular atrophy.

Attended Dalton (Ga.) High School, playing football for head coach Ronnie McClurg … Four-year starter as an outside linebacker and tight end … Member of the Atlanta Journal Constitution Georgia Top 50 squad and added Georgia Class 4A All-State honorable mention … Three-time All-Area pick by the Daily Citizen-News and earned Chattanooga Times Best of the Preps first-team offensive accolades … Member of the National Honor Society, Cole was a 2002 Georgia Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Award winner and an Associated Press Scholar/Athlete … Finished his senior season with 20 catches for 264 yards and four touchdowns and also registered 28 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and five sacks playing outside linebacker … As a junior, he caught 38 passes for 640 yards and six touchdowns and had 20 tackles, four sacks and one fumble recovery on defense, leading Dalton to a 13-2 record and a berth in the class 4A state title game that year … Also lettered three years in basketball and track, winning the regional high jump title.

Graduated with a degree in Management Information Systems and is presently taking post-graduate courses in Business Administration … Son of Teresa and Jim Bennett … Born Cole Wesley Bennett on 3/14/84 … Resides in Dalton, Georgia.