
Cole Latimer brings rare size and two-sport upside to NIU's young secondary
Cole Latimer, a freshman defensive back for Northern Illinois in the 2026 season, stands out more for upside than stat-sheet volume: at 6-4 and 200 pounds, he brings a long, physical frame that can match up with bigger receivers and hints at high-end versatility. He arrives with a strong local reputation from DeKalb, plus two-sport talent and competitive edge that suggest coachability and toughness. For a team, he looks like a developmental fit with intriguing ceiling rather than an immediate finished product.





