Iowa football: Cole Croston in position to win backup role with Patriots

Former Iowa football player Cole Croston is entering his third season in the NFL, and for the first time, he is in position to win a backup role outright.

Cole Croston was destined to be an Iowa football player since the day he was born. The son of a former Iowa football and NFL player Dave Croston, it only made sense that when Cole was ready, he would be Hawkeye.

And that may have given him an extra life in his NFL career.

The Iowa football program and the New England Patriots share a connection that we’ve discussed in other articles and because of that connection, Bill Belichick seems to favor Hawkeyes over other programs, especially when filling out the bottom of his roster.

Cole Croston’s Iowa football career wasn’t anything special by Iowa standards. He started 18 games over the final two seasons and he was named Third Team All-Big Ten in his senior season. He wasn’t expected to be drafted, and given the chances of making an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent, he wasn’t expected to last long.

But he found the right team and the right coach, and so far, he’s stuck around for two years and has seen a few games of NFL action.

Entering his third year after being bounced up and down from the practice squad to the active roster, it’s Croston’s time to stick with the Patriots.

He’s currently listed as the second string right tackle and the Patriots didn’t technically select anyone to replace him (although they did take a tackle in Yodney Cajuste) so it’s now or never for the Seargent Bluff, Iowa native to get on the roster and stay there.

Technically, he does have 2 seasons left of practice squad eligibility, but if he is unable to secure a spot in his third year, the time may never come for the Hawkeye. Each year, there is an influx of young talent.

For now, though, Cole Croston’s NFL dream is still alive.