Cole McDonald (born May 20, 1998) is an American professional football player who has primarily played as a quarterback. He is known for his college career at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and his subsequent professional endeavors in the National Football League (NFL) and other leagues.
Early Life and College Career McDonald grew up in La Mirada, California, and attended Sonora High School in La Habra, California. After high school, he enrolled at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he played college football for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
During his time at Hawaii, McDonald became a prominent figure for the team, particularly in his redshirt sophomore and junior seasons. In the 2018 season, he passed for 3,450 yards and 28 touchdowns. He followed that up with an even more productive 2019 season, throwing for 4,135 yards and 33 touchdowns. His impressive performances helped lead the Rainbow Warriors to the Mountain West Conference championship game in 2019 and a victory in the 2019 Hawaii Bowl. He declared for the NFL Draft after his junior season.
Professional Career
Minnesota Vikings Cole McDonald was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round (244th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent his rookie training camp with the Vikings but was waived during final roster cuts before the start of the 2020 regular season. He was subsequently signed to the Vikings' practice squad, where he spent the remainder of the season.
Arizona Cardinals In 2021, McDonald signed with the Arizona Cardinals but was waived shortly thereafter.
CFL and USFL After his time in the NFL, McDonald explored opportunities in other professional football leagues. He signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 2022. He later joined the Houston Gamblers of the United States Football League (USFL) for the 2023 season. With the Gamblers, he saw playing time as both a quarterback and in other roles, showcasing his athletic versatility. He continued with the Houston Roughnecks after the USFL merged with the XFL to form the United Football League (UFL).