PerspectivesCole 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.

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May 19, 2024

SPORTS | Jaguars get 2 in prime time with challenging schedule ahead

My predictions for every game on the 2024 Jacksonville Jaguars schedule, ending in a 10-7 record and wild card playoff…

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The Jaguars drafted LSU's Maason Smith, a defensive tackle, seen here at the NFL scouting combine in February. | (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
April 28, 2024

SPORTS | Did Jaguars get better in the draft?

The Jaguars’ draft looks good on one hand, but further inspection brings up some key questions.…

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Former Jaguars wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. is tackled by Indianapolis Colts safety Khari Willis during a 2022 home game. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
April 22, 2024

SPORTS | Zeroing in on the Jaguars’ draft targets

Will there be a man-to-man cornerback available to the Jaguars if they stay at 17 to make their first-round selection?…

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San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) celebrates a hit on Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the Super Bowl on Feb. 11, 2024 | AP Photo/Ashley Landis
March 24, 2024

SPORTS | More work left for Jaguars after free agency haul

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed eight veterans from other teams during free agency, so here are their needs heading into the…

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FILE - Buffalo Bills center Mitch Morse (60) looks on during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Dec. 23, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. The Bills' salary cap-related purge of players cut deep into the team's core with veteran safety Jordan Poyer and center Morse being among five players the team announced it released Wednesday, March 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
March 11, 2024

SPORTS | Jaguars’ free agency start: activity or progress?

Despite talking about the need for a more physical offensive line, the Jaguars are keeping most of their starters.…

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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?…

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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.…

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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…

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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.…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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.…

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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…

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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.…

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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…

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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.…

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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…

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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.…

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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.…

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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…

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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…