Tech’s Cole Wisniewski talks outlook at Big 12 media days
Graduate transfer Cole Wisniewski joins Texas Tech after a standout career at North Dakota State, where he was a two-time national champion and 2023 FCS First-Team All-American. The 6-foot-4 safety led the FCS with eight interceptions and recorded 92 tackles during his breakout season before missing 2024 due to injury.
Known for his versatility and football IQ, Wisniewski brings leadership and proven production to the Red Raiders’ secondary as he steps into a key role in Shiel Woods defense.
Here is what he had to say during Big 12 media days:
How are you liking Texas Tech, and what has transition been like coming from NDSU?
“I’ve been loving Texas Tech. It’s been such a blessing to get to go in there and work every single day, I think even especially when you come off a break. So I get back to the facility, I just remind how blessed I am to be in such a such a great position, both facilities wise and people’s wise. I’m so thankful to have coaches like coach McGuire, coach Greene, coach Wood guys are just genuine people who love the game of football and just just enjoy, enjoy football, enjoy the facility enjoy the opportunities that we get. So it’s been such a blessing to be a part of this. It has been a while.”
How hard was it for you not to play last year?
“It was really hard. I think of a couple of games specifically that were really hard. The opening game of the year, when we played at Colorado, was super tough. Having a rival game come in, having the senior night sooner was really tough, not being able to play? Yeah, it wasn’t. It was less than ideal.”
What are your expectations around the defense?
“I think my expectations is very simple. Is not output oriented really at all. I just want to see a defense that swarms. If we can get 11 guys at the ball, and we can get guys who have relentless effort play and play out, it’ll be a successful defense take place. Wrong fits might happen. But if we’re a team that’s swarming and getting to the ball, we’re going to knock down plays. We’re going to live the play in. To play another day. And that’s really the expectations I have. Like, I don’t have, a number standpoint, this many yards we need to give up, or this many points we need to give up. If we’re getting to the ball, the results will take care of itself.”
What’s it like being married in college, and what’s your wife’s support mean to you?
“I mean, it’s huge. It’s awesome. I think being married in college, playing football, it’s another robot. It’s another motivator, too. When times get tough, thinking about what I want to do for us as a young family, and being able to push that much harder is incomparable. And then also her support. She’s not somebody who’s a huge football person either. So she actually enjoys football. She goes watch me play, but being able to take a step away from the game too, when I get home and not have to worry about football anymore. Get my film in, watch it, and be able to separate, get away from football reset. So we went up back to it. I can enjoy it and love it even more”
What’s coach Wood’s defense like for you?
“Yeah, I think his defense. I think one of the really unique parts about it is it’s very simple. From the standpoint of, it’s not going to be 30 play calls. It’s going to be simple with adjustments to change the look, but our jobs within the defense are gonna be relatively simple, leverage based, and we’re gonna be able to play really free, really fast, and it’s gonna allow us to be to use our athleticism, use our talents freely, and not be held back by how much we’re thinking and trying to make adjustments. And I think that’s probably one of the things that leads to so much success in this defense.”
What was Tech’s main pitch to you when you entered your name in the portal, and what really stood out?
“I was really looking for 3 things in the portal. One, I wanted to look for a place where I felt, as me the best player I could possibly be, have opportunities to become the best player I could possibly be. The second part was I wanted to find a staff that was gonna treat my wife like a part of the team and family. And then, thirdly, I wanted to find a position that I felt was gonna be conducive to me having a successful season. When I came on campus to tech, all 3 were checked. My wife is invited to pretty much every team event we have. Coaches are phenomenal people resources. I don’t dislike anything at Tech, I have every single resource available to be best player I can be. And thirdly, when I look back at Coach Woods defense from the year prior, the position that I played within this defense had a ton of success, ton of opportunities for plays, and that’s all I can ask for an opportunity to make plays”
What’s it going to take for this defense to elevate and really turn it around this year?
“like I said, I think communication is huge, but it’s really just use the ball knocking the ball down. I’m gonna be honest. I don’t really care how many yards they get, because it’s about how many points are put up on the on the scoreboard. Like we can, we can show them down the red zone. If we can knock the big plays down, limit explosive and make sure they’re not scoring, we’re gonna win football games, because we have a very good offense. So ultimately, that’s what it comes down to. You can be last in the league in passing yards, as long as not giving up the points field goals, don’t get you beat. So if you can be able to be a team that swarms, knocks plays down, live to play another day, and gets teams off the field or kicking field goals instead of getting in the end zone, we’re gonna be very successful team this year.”
Overall Thoughts
After hearing Cole Wisniewski speak, his leadership and veteran presence immediately stand out. He communicates with poise and confidence—traits that reflect his experience as an All-American and national champion at North Dakota State.
Wisniewski’s impact on Texas Tech’s secondary is expected to be significant this season. His elite communication skills and ability to tackle in space make him a natural fit in Shiel Wood’s defense. While the team’s success won’t hinge solely on him, the improvements along the defensive front should help free him up to thrive on the back end.
His approach is team-first, focused on doing whatever it takes to win. The instincts and intangibles he brings to the field are rare—and largely unteachable. As fall approaches, Wisniewski will be a key figure to watch in a reloaded Red Raider defense.
