Kone made an immediate impact upon arrival in Kalamazoo, and hopes to make the same impression in Baltimore.
Upon his transfer from FCS Indiana State to Western Michigan in 2023, Bilhal Kone was largely an unknown prospect out of Apple Valley, Minnesota, who was about to be at his third school in as many seasons.
Starting his college career at Iowa Central Community College, it was a long road to reach his destination, but Kone ultimately bloomed into one of the MAC’s most underrated defensive backs by the end of his tenure, securing a starter’s role near the end of the 2023 campaign before becoming one of the defense’s most relied-upon contributors in 2024.
Now, Kone takes the next step in his football journey after being selected 178th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Brought into the fold by then-new head coach Lance Taylor, Kone finished his debut campaign in 2023 with 42 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, an interception, and eight pass breakups as mostly a rotation piece. 2024 marked a full season in the starting lineup, and Kone capitalized, picking up 70 tackles, a TFL, two forced fumbles, an interception, and nine pass breakups on the year.
With only two interceptions as a Bronco, Kone did not place on the All-MAC team in either season — but his 6’1” frame, athleticism, and game film were enough for pro scouts to be intrigued, netting Kone invitations to both the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine.
His performance impressed many on hand, even despite an injury suffered during Senior Bowl practice week which kept him out of the game itself. His 40-yard dash at the Combine was in the top 75th percentile of participants, and his smooth performance in position drills helped confirm his game tape as well.
At 178th, Kone will compete for play in a cornerback room featuring longtime veteran Marlon Humphrey, 2024 first rounder Nate Wiggins, 2024 fourth rounder T.J. Tampa, recent free agent signing Chidobie Awuzie, among others.
Kone’s selections extends Western Michigan’s draft streak to five-straight years — the longest in the MAC. He is the sixth Bronco taken since 2021, following in the footsteps of Dee Eskridge and Jaylon Moore in 2021, Skyy Moore in 2022, Zaire Barnes in 2023, and Marshawn Kneeland in 2024. Kone is the first Western Michigan cornerback taken since Darius Phillips landed as a fifth round pick in 2018.
Kone is the third MAC player taken in 2025, behind Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander and Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr., who heard their names called in the early third round.
Kent Lee Platte (RAS.football)