CHS grad back with the Atlanta Falcons

JEREMIAH BARTZ/ Frontiersman sports editor

Cole Magner is back in the National Football League.

After almost eight months of working out and waiting for an NFL team to call, Magner has returned to the organization that gave him his first shot at landing a spot on a professional football roster. Last week, the Colony High School and Bowling Green State University graduate inked a contract with the Atlanta Falcons and was signed to the team's offseason roster.

Magner signed a two-year deal with the team that is contingent on him making the club. If he is named to the final roster, Magner will have the opportunity to restructure his deal.

Last year Magner, an undrafted free agent, signed a similar deal following his senior season at Bowling Green. He played in all five of Atlanta's preseason games, making five catches for 55 yards and returning six punts for 76 yards. In his fourth game against Baltimore, Magner posted two grabs for 34 yards.

During training camp and the preseason Magner quickly became one of Atlanta's top stories. The wide receiver with shaggy blonde hair from Alaska became known as &#8220Sunshine” by his teammates and the media, and he earned the public praise of Atlanta stars such as Michael Vick and Warrick Dunn. With all of the attention, Magner became more confident he would be among the four wide receivers kept by the team. But on Sept. 3, Magner was notified that he was among the final list of players released by the team.

&#8220It was disappointing,” Magner, who is already in Atlanta, said on Saturday by cell phone. &#8220But this is pretty much how it works for guys in my position.”

Just days after his release, Baltimore signed Magner to its practice squad. But the Ravens released him just two weeks later. Then it became a waiting game.

&#8220After that I stayed at Bowling Green and just worked out,” Magner said. &#8220Teams were contacting me. I had workouts all over the place.”

Magner said he got a lot of interest from the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills, and both teams had talked about signing him and sending him to play in the NFL Europe - a developmental league for professional players. But after the 2005 season, both organizations cleaned house and fired coaches who had been in contact with Magner.

Those doors closed for Magner, but another opened in Atlanta.

When the Falcons began to express interest, one again, Magner thought, &#8220How come now instead of before?” Magner said he talked to his dad, Randy -his coach at Colony High -and his agent, and it became apparent Atlanta wanted to give him another shot.

&#8220The offensive coordinator (Greg Knapp) wanted me back,” Magner said. &#8220I figured, they're coming to me, and other teams aren't.

&#8220Plus, they got rid of a couple guys that were on the roster last year.”

The experience he gained during training camp and the postseason will obviously help Magner as he has a second chance at a full-time gig with the Falcons.

&#8220I have been in the situation. It'll be a lot easier this time,” Magner said.

In four years as a Bowling Green State University Falcon, Magner caught 215 passes, including a school-record 99 catches during his junior campaign.

At Colony, Magner led the Knights to the state championship game in 2000, and was named the Alaska State Player of the Year after his senior campaign.