Atlanta, Georgia
College Park, Georgia: where A.J. Cole's journey from Woodward Academy to NFL punter began.
Harrison Keely · CC BY 4.0
Alfred James Cole III, known as A.J. Cole, was born on November 27, 1995, and grew up in College Park, Georgia. He attended Woodward Academy, where he played football, basketball, and soccer. As a senior, Cole was named All-Metro Area by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. College Park is a city in the Atlanta metropolitan area, and Cole's early life there shaped his path to becoming an NFL punter for the Las Vegas Raiders.
- Region
- Southeastern United States
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Cole grew up in College Park, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, and attended Woodward Academy. There, he was a multi-sport athlete, playing football, basketball, and soccer. His senior year, he earned All-Metro Area honors from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. This foundation led him to a four-year starting punter role at NC State, where he finished with 9,288 punting yards (third-highest in school history) and a 42.2-yard average. He was a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy as a junior and a semifinalist as a senior, and in 2017 received Honorable Mention All-American honors by GPR Analytics.
In Their Own Story
In College Park, Georgia, a young A.J. Cole kicked footballs under the humid Southern sky at Woodward Academy, balancing soccer, basketball, and football. His senior year, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution named him All-Metro Area, a nod to his growing skill. That same drive carried him to NC State, where he became a four-year starter and averaged 42.2 yards per punt over his college career. Years later, as a Las Vegas Raider, Cole set an NFL record for gross punt average in a game (63.6 yards) against the New York Giants in Week 9 of the 2023 season, a mark later broken by Ryan Rehkow in 2024. He also became the first Raiders punter to complete a pass since 2012, throwing a 34-yard reception to Divine Deablo in Week 12 of the 2024 season.
Reader's Guide
For fans tracking A.J. Cole's roots, College Park, Georgia is the starting point. He attended Woodward Academy, playing football, basketball, and soccer, and earned All-Metro Area honors from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution as a senior. This multi-sport background helped him become a four-year starter at punter for NC State, where he posted 9,288 punting yards (third in school history) and a 42.2-yard average. His college accolades include being a Wuerffel Trophy finalist (junior) and semifinalist (senior), plus Honorable Mention All-American by GPR Analytics in 2017. Cole's NFL career with the Las Vegas Raiders includes a 2021 Pro Bowl selection, first-team All-Pro in 2021, and a 2022 Pro Bowl nod. He signed a four-year, $12.4 million extension in 2021 and a four-year, $15.8 million extension in 2025, making him the NFL's highest-paid punter.
Did You Know?
- A.J. Cole grew up in College Park, Georgia and attended Woodward Academy, where he played football, basketball, and soccer.
- Cole was named All-Metro Area by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution as a senior at Woodward Academy.
- Cole has the most yards per punt (48.48) in NFL history.
- In Week 9 of the 2023 season, Cole set an NFL record for gross punt average in a game with 63.6 yards, later broken by Ryan Rehkow in 2024.
- Cole threw a 34-yard reception to Divine Deablo in a fake punt in Week 12 of the 2024 season, the longest by a punter in the NFL since 2017.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Atlanta, Georgia?
In this context, the city represents a symbolic Southern home for J. Cole's musical influences rather than his actual birthplace. It stands as a cultural hub where many of his collaborators and sonic inspirations originate within the hip-hop landscape.
What are Atlanta, Georgia's powers/role?
The setting provides an atmospheric backdrop for trap-driven ambition and soulful R&B textures found throughout specific tracks. It acts as a narrative space where personal dreams collide with the harsh realities of the music industry.
How does Atlanta, Georgia's story end?
As an active setting within his ongoing career, there is no final conclusion to its influence on his artistry. The city remains a constant presence in collaborations and production choices throughout his discography.
Why is Atlanta, Georgia important?
It bridges the gap between Cole's East Coast upbringing and the booming Southern hip-hop scene he frequently engages with. This setting allows him to explore themes of ambition without losing his grounded perspective.
What sound does Atlanta, Georgia contribute?
The region contributes humid, bass-heavy beats that complement his conscious rap lyrics and storytelling. These sonic elements help shape the tension between where an artist comes from and where they aspire to go.
More in World & Setting
Elsewhere in the J Cole universe
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