Cole Tucker was recently added to the 2023 CFL Draft class, per source, following a productive career at Northern Illinois University.
The six-foot-two, 195-pound target made 155 receptions for 2,030 yards and 10 touchdowns over five seasons with the Huskies, helping them win the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in 2018 and 2021. He set all-new career-highs as a senior in 2022 when he caught 45 passes for 632 yards and four touchdowns.
The 23-year-old ranks tied for seventh all-time in school history in receptions and eighth in receiving yards. Among those in front of him are Kenny Golladay of the New York Giants and former NFL draft picks Justin McCareins and Da’Ron Brown.
Tucker was born and raised in DeKalb, Ill. but qualifies for national status through his mother. Cindy Tucker (née Hemstad) was born and raised in Brandon, Man. and attended Northern Illinois on an athletic scholarship. She was inducted into the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the 1991 women’s gymnastics team in 2013.
His father, Brett Tucker, was a walk-on for Northern Illinois and enjoyed an excellent collegiate career at defensive back, intercepting nine passes over his final three years with the team. He was selected in the eighth round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers, though he never appeared in a regular season NFL game.
Tucker will be participating in NIU’s pro day scheduled for March 23 before making his way to the CFL Combine. He does not plan to test at the event given the proximity of his pro day but will be traveling north to interview with teams.
The 2023 CFL Draft will take place on Tuesday, May 2 at 8:00 p.m. EDT.
