Cole Pepper Jacksonville Today Contributor

Cole Pepper has covered sports in Jacksonville since 1996, most recently for News4Jax. He is currently broadcast director for Sporting Club Jacksonville and has called play-by-play for a number of teams, including the Suns, Tomcats, Jacksonville University, Sharks and The Bolles School football. He also served as the studio host for the Jaguars Radio Network.

Featured image for “SPORTS | As NFL combine approaches, Jaguars’ needs are many”
Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley, left, celebrates his second touchdown catch with Christian Kirk, right, during the third quarter of an AFC South contest against the Tennessee Titans. The Jaguars improved to 7-3 following a 34-14 win over the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
February 26, 2024

SPORTS | As NFL combine approaches, Jaguars’ needs are many

The NFL draft combine kicks off this Thursday in Indianapolis. What should the Jaguars focus on?…

By Cole Pepper

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Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen celebrates a turnover during the first quarter of an Aug. 12, 2022 preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. The Jaguars led 13-0 when both teams removed their starters. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
February 18, 2024

SPORTS | Key offseason decisions loom for Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars face several key decisions in the offseason after a disastrous second-half collapse.…

By Cole Pepper

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Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke watches as players warm up before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
January 28, 2024

SPORTS | A disconnect with Jaguars leadership?

Two men continue to be in the crosshairs of disgruntled Jags fans: offensive coordinator Press Taylor and general manager Trent…

By Cole Pepper

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Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) is tackled by Tennessee Titans safety Terrell Edmunds (38) during their NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
January 7, 2024

SPORTS | Jaguars’ freefall ends outside of playoffs

The biggest collapse in Jaguars history is complete, ending with a 28-20 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.…

By Cole Pepper

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Evan Engram surpassed the 100 catch mark to help the Jaguars snap a four-game losing streak. The Jaguars closed their 2023 home schedule with a 26-0 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
January 1, 2024

SPORTS | Familiar scenario for Jaguars’ regular season finale

The Jaguars will face the Tennessee Titans this Sunday, the final week of the season, needing a win to clinch…

By Cole Pepper

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Jaguars receiver Zay Jones catches a pass over the outstretched arm of Baltimore defensive back Brandon Stephens late in the second quarter of a Sunday Night Football game. The Jaguars hosted the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
December 17, 2023

SPORTS | Jags not ready for prime time with third straight loss

If the Jaguars’ Sunday Night Football matchup with the Baltimore Ravens was a playoff audition, the Jaguars will have to…

By Cole Pepper

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Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) breaks up a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Zay Jones (7) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
December 10, 2023

SPORTS | Bad start, bad finish as Jaguars lose in Cleveland

It was a grey day in Cleveland and a muted performance by the Jaguars in a 31-27 loss to the…

By Cole Pepper

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December 4, 2023

SPORTS | Jaguars lose game, and maybe Trevor Lawrence

In the fourth quarter of the Jaguars-Bengals game Monday, the game, and maybe the season, changed. That’s when Trevor Lawrence…

By Cole Pepper

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Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, center rear, greet each other on the field after their team's NFL football game in Houston, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
November 26, 2023

SPORTS | Jaguars survive in Houston, stay in chase for AFC top seed

It came down to a matter of inches, but the Jaguars emerged with a 24-21 win over the Houston Texans to…

By Cole Pepper

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November 19, 2023

SPORTS | Back on track: Jaguars’ whipping of Titans calms concerns

The Jacksonville Jaguars dominated a struggling Tennessee Titans team 34-14 to improve to 7-3 on the season.…

By Cole Pepper

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Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne Jr. and the rest of the Jaguars offense were held without a touchdown at home for the second time this season. San Franscisco snapped Jacksonville’s five-game winning streak with its 34-3 win at EverBank Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
November 12, 2023

SPORTS | Jaguars outmanned in another home loss

On a misty and gray Sunday at EverBank Stadium, the San Francisco 49ers dominated the Jaguars in the trenches in…

By Cole Pepper

Featured image for “SPORTS | November reflections on Jags, college and high school football”
Raines quarterback Ty'ren Randolph threw two touchdowns to lead the Vikings to victory in the 54th Northwest Classic. Raines dominated its rival Ribault in the 54th Northwest Classic on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. The Vikings lead the all-time series 40-14. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
November 5, 2023

SPORTS | November reflections on Jags, college and high school football

Midseason reflections on the Jaguars, UF, FSU, UGA and local high school football teams.…

By Cole Pepper

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Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) beats Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) and safety Damontae Kazee (23) on a 56-yard touchdown reception during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
October 29, 2023

SPORTS | Jaguars gritty, not pretty in win over Steelers

The Jaguars’ trend of playing less-than-pristine football but still winning continued in a 20-10 victory over the Steelers Sunday in…

By Cole Pepper

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Banners lining the field are seen at EverBank Field before an NCAA college football game between Florida and Georgia in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
October 22, 2023

SPORTS | Jaguars, Gators and Bulldogs back to work after an off weekend

Sizing up where the Jaguars stand seven games into the season and previewing Georgia-Florida.…

By Cole Pepper

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Trevor Lawrence celebrates a Jaguars touchdown during an Oct. 15, 2023 contest against the Indianapolis Colts
October 15, 2023

SPORTS | Jaguars take control of AFC South but Trevor Lawrence’s injury a concern

Sunday’s win over the Colts was the first Jags victory in Jacksonville this season and put the Jaguars in control…

By Cole Pepper

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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16), left, reacts after an NFL football game between Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023. The Jaguars won the match 25-20. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
October 8, 2023

SPORTS | Jaguars sweep London trip with thriller over Buffalo

The Jaguars rode a rollercoaster performance to a London sweep, beating the Buffalo Bills 25-20 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.…

By Cole Pepper

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Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Darious Williams (31) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
October 1, 2023

SPORTS | Jaguars show some improvement in London win

In their 23-7 win over the Falcons on Sunday, the Jaguars showed they are improving in some areas.…

By Cole Pepper

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Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. is tackled by Houston Texans linebacker Will Anderson Jr. and former Jaguar Shaquille Griffin. The Jacksonville Jaguars lost 37-17 to the Houston Texans on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. The defeat was the second straight home loss at EverBank Stadium for the Jaguars. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
September 24, 2023

SPORTS | Jags’ brutal loss raises questions

In the course of three hours on Sunday’s sun-soaked afternoon, the Jaguars’ season took a dramatic turn. Facing the perennial…

By Cole Pepper

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Patrick Mahomes meets with Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence after helping the Chiefs win their first game of the 2023 season. The Jaguars lost their 2023 home opener 17-9 to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Jaguars (1-1) have lost their last eight games against Kansas City. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
September 17, 2023

SPORTS | Lots of work to do for Jaguars

In game two against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Jaguars showed they have a long way to go to reach…

By Cole Pepper

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence hug following an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Indianapolis. The Jaguars won 31-21. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
September 10, 2023

SPORTS | It wasn’t pretty, but Jags win opener

The Jaguars won their season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, but the box score looked better than the Jaguars’ performance.…

By Cole Pepper

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Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (25) runs into the end zone to score a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Miami Dolphins, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
August 27, 2023

SPORTS | After unbeaten preseason, are Jaguars ready to contend for a title?

There’s almost nothing more that the Jaguars would have wanted to accomplish with their starters in the preseason finale on…

By Cole Pepper

Featured image for “SPORTS | What we learned from the second Jaguars preseason game”
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) runs as Detroit Lions defensive end John Cominsky (79) defends during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
August 20, 2023

SPORTS | What we learned from the second Jaguars preseason game

Only two Jaguars who are expected to be starters got playing time in Saturday’s preseason game against Detroit.…

By Cole Pepper

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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Nathan Rourke (18) is seen during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. Jacksonville won 28-23. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
August 13, 2023

SPORTS | Canadian Minshew? Jaguars’ third-string QB Rourke opening eyes

After Nathan Rourke’s performance in Dallas, will the Jaguars keep three quarterbacks on the active roster?…

By Cole Pepper

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The Jaguars shutout the Indianapolis Colts 24-0 to earn their first win of the 2022 season. The shutout was the team's first in nearly four years. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 6, 2023

SPORTS | Will Jaguars’ pass rush be a difference-maker this season?

With some of the opposing quarterbacks on the roster, the Jaguars’ defense will need to pull its weight.…

By Cole Pepper