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.

Featured image for “SPORTS | It wasn’t pretty, but Jags win opener”
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.…

Featured image for “SPORTS | After unbeaten preseason, are Jaguars ready to contend for a title?”
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…

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.…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Canadian Minshew? Jaguars’ third-string QB Rourke opening eyes”
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?…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Will Jaguars’ pass rush be a difference-maker this season?”
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.…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Trevor Lawrence is stepping toward superstardom ”
July 30, 2023

SPORTS | Trevor Lawrence is stepping toward superstardom 

Trevor Lawrence has already shown signs of growth as he enters a new season in a stronger place than last…

Featured image for “SPORTS | More complexity emerging in Jaguars’ temporary stadium question”
July 9, 2023

SPORTS | More complexity emerging in Jaguars’ temporary stadium question

Where will the Jaguars play while their stadium is renovated? Here are some pros and cons of the various options.…

Featured image for “SPORTS | An unlikely US Open winner and uncertainty for pro golf”
Wyndham Clark celebrates after winning after the U.S. Open golf tournament at Los Angeles Country Club on Sunday, June 18, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio J. Sanchez)
June 19, 2023

SPORTS | An unlikely US Open winner and uncertainty for pro golf

The dramatic duel between a LIV golfer like Dustin Johnson or Cam Smith and the PGA Tour’s most outspoken defender,…

Featured image for “OPINION | Trevor Lawrence is growing as a leader and as quarterback”
June 5, 2023

OPINION | Trevor Lawrence is growing as a leader and as quarterback

Trevor Lawrence admits that if had not taken a major step forward last year as a player, his voice as…

Featured image for “OPINION | The 5 biggest questions facing the Jaguars as offseason practices begin”
The Jaguars overcame a 27-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 31-30 in the AFC wild card playoffs on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 21, 2023

OPINION | The 5 biggest questions facing the Jaguars as offseason practices begin

For the Jaguars to make a deep playoff run, they’ll have to answer these 5 questions.…

Featured image for “SPORTS | My Jags record prediction based on the schedule ”
Travon Walker, the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, fights for separation against Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills in a preseason game on Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. The Jaguars led 13-0 when both teams removed their starters. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 14, 2023

SPORTS | My Jags record prediction based on the schedule 

It’s time for the annual tradition of predicting the Jaguars’ record as the schedule is released.…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Jags slighted in QB ranking”
The Jaguars overcame a 27-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 31-30 in the AFC wild card playoffs on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 7, 2023

SPORTS | Jags slighted in QB ranking

Yes, the Jaguars are getting a little more love nationally, but there are still those who need convincing.…

Featured image for “SPORTS | Jags ‘cautious and safe’ with 2023 draft picks”
External general view of the NFL football Jacksonville Jaguars' stadium, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
April 30, 2023

SPORTS | Jags ‘cautious and safe’ with 2023 draft picks

The Jaguars are not expecting any third-day draft picks (or second-day picks) to assume a starting role in 2023. …