Cole Strange Bio
Devin Cole Strange (born July 31, 1998) is an American professional football guard for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Chattanooga Mocs and was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round (29th overall) of the 2022 NFL draft. Strange has built a reputation as a durable and powerful offensive lineman who earned back-to-back SoCon Jacobs Blocking Trophy honors during his collegiate career. His journey from a two-star recruit at Farragut High School to a first-round NFL draft pick demonstrates his dedication and steady improvement throughout his football career.
Early Life and Background
Cole Strange grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he attended Farragut High School. During his senior year at Farragut, Strange primarily played defensive end and delivered an impressive performance, recording 103.5 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks. His dominant play earned him the Knoxville Interscholastic League Defensive Player of the Year honor. Despite his success at the high school level, Strange received a two-star recruiting rating from major college programs.
Strange initially committed to play college football at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga but later de-committed from that arrangement. He instead signed a letter of intent to continue his football career at the Air Force Academy, taking an unusual path that would eventually shape his collegiate experience and football development.
Path to Professional Football
Strange began his college career at the Air Force Academy, where he attended Basic Cadet Training. However, he transferred from Air Force to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, redshirting his freshman season with the Mocs. This transition marked the beginning of his transformation into an offensive lineman. As a redshirt freshman at Chattanooga, Strange played in ten games with six starts at left guard, quickly establishing himself as a reliable presence on the offensive line.
His sophomore and junior seasons showed consistent development. As a redshirt sophomore, Strange started all 11 games at left guard and earned second-team All-Southern Conference recognition. He repeated as a second-team All-SoCon selection as a redshirt junior, despite playing the final game of the season at center due to an injury to a teammate. This versatility across multiple offensive line positions became a hallmark of Strange’s game as he progressed through his collegiate career.
Cole Strange Career
College Career (2016–2021)
Strange’s redshirt senior season was played in the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which shortened the traditional fall football season. Despite playing only four of five possible games at left guard, he won the Jacobs Blocking Award as the best blocker in the entire Southern Conference. The pandemic granted college athletes an extra year of eligibility, and Strange made the decision to return to Chattanooga for a sixth season to further develop his skills and improve his NFL draft stock.
In his final season in 2021, Strange started all games at left guard and was named first-team All-SoCon while winning his second consecutive Jacobs Blocking Trophy. This back-to-back recognition as the conference’s top blocker solidified his reputation as one of the best offensive linemen in FCS football. After completing his college career, Strange participated in the 2022 Senior Bowl, where he faced off against top prospects from across the country and further showcased his abilities against NFL-caliber competition.
New England Patriots (2022–2024)
Despite many analysts predicting that Strange would still be available in the third or fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft, the New England Patriots selected him in the first round with the 29th overall pick. The selection surprised many draft analysts but reflected the Patriots’ confidence in Strange’s potential. He was immediately named the Patriots’ starting left guard as a rookie and started every game during his inaugural NFL season, demonstrating the durability and consistency that characterized his college career.
In 2023, Strange continued as the starting left guard and started all 10 games that he appeared in, recording one fumble recovery. However, his season took a significant turn when he suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee during Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs, an injury that ended his campaign prematurely. The injury required a lengthy recovery process that impacted his availability for the following season.
Strange began the 2024 season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list while continuing his rehabilitation from the knee injury. He was activated from the list on December 10, 2024, and appeared in three games with two starts before the season concluded. On August 26, 2025, the Patriots released Strange as part of their final roster cuts, ending his three-year tenure with the organization.
Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins (2025)
Following his release from the Patriots, Strange quickly found a new opportunity in the NFL. On August 28, 2025, he was signed to the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad, joining a new organization for the 2025 season. This move allowed him to continue his professional career while working to return to full form after his injury-plagued previous seasons.
Strange did not remain with the Browns organization for long. On September 9, 2025, he was signed to the Miami Dolphins’ active roster, continuing his journey through the NFL. His ability to earn spots on active rosters demonstrated that teams still valued his talent and experience despite his recent injury history.
Los Angeles Chargers (2026–Present)
On March 10, 2026, Strange signed a two-year, $13 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. The deal represented a significant commitment from the Chargers and included a reunion with head coach Mike McDaniel, under whom Strange would play. This contract marked the largest and most significant deal of Strange’s NFL career, reflecting the Chargers’ belief in his abilities as a starting-caliber guard in the league.
Driving Style and Strengths
Strange is known for his powerful punch at the line of scrimmage and his ability to move defenders in the running game. His background playing defensive end in high school translated into strong hand usage and tackle识别 ability in pass protection. He demonstrated versatility by playing both left guard and center during his college career, which increased his value to NFL teams seeking offensive linemen who can fill multiple positions. His performance at the 2022 Senior Bowl further cemented his reputation as a technician who could handle the speed and physicality of professional football.
Notable Events and Milestones
The 2023 injury against the Kansas City Chiefs marked a significant turning point in Strange’s young career, ending his season and affecting his availability for the following year. Despite this setback, he demonstrated resilience by returning to play in 2024 and continuing to earn opportunities with new teams. His selection by the Patriots in the first round of the 2022 draft, contrary to analyst predictions, proved that NFL scouts saw something special in his game that others may have overlooked.
Cole Strange Career Wins
Throughout his collegiate and professional career, Strange accumulated numerous accolades and consistent playing time at every level. His college career was highlighted by conference-level recognition, while his professional career has been defined by his ability to earn starting roles despite changing organizations.
College Highlights
Strange’s college career at Chattanooga was distinguished by his consistent dominance as an offensive lineman. He earned the SoCon Jacobs Blocking Trophy in back-to-back seasons (2020 and 2021), recognizing him as the best blocker in the conference. He was named first-team All-SoCon in 2021 and earned second-team All-SoCon honors three consecutive times from 2018 through 2020. Starting every game at left guard during his final three seasons demonstrated his reliability and durability at the FCS level.
Professional Statistics
In his NFL career through the 2025 season, Strange appeared in 44 games with 43 starts. His rookie season saw him start every game, establishing himself as a foundational piece of the Patriots’ offensive line. Despite injuries that limited his availability in subsequent seasons, Strange consistently returned to starting roles whenever healthy.
| Competition Level | Games Played | Games Started | Notable Honors |
|---|---|---|---|
| College (Chattanooga) | Multiple seasons | All starts (final 3 seasons) | 2× Jacobs Blocking Trophy, 1× First-team All-SoCon, 3× Second-team All-SoCon |
| NFL (through 2025) | 44 | 43 | 2× NFL seasons played |
Cole Strange Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Specific details about Cole Strange’s family background and racing lineage are not publicly available in verified sources. While his football journey suggests a supportive environment that allowed him to pursue the sport through multiple transitions in his collegiate career, concrete information about his parents, siblings, or extended family has not been confirmed through verified channels.
Personal Life
Strange earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, demonstrating his commitment to academics alongside his athletic pursuits. He continued his educational journey by working on a master’s degree in engineering management through an online program at UTC. This combination of athletic achievement and academic ambition reflects Strange’s well-rounded approach to his career and future beyond football.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition for Strange following his release from the New England Patriots. He began the season with the Cleveland Browns, joining their practice squad in late August. This move came after he was unable to secure a spot on the Patriots’ 53-man roster during training camp, continuing his recovery from the knee injury suffered in 2023.
Strange joined the Miami Dolphins’ active roster in September 2025, providing depth at the guard position for the team. While specific game-by-game statistics for his 2025 contributions are not fully detailed in available sources, his ability to earn spots on active rosters with multiple teams demonstrated continued NFL interest in his services. The 2025 season served as a rebuilding year for Strange as he worked to regain full health and establish himself with a new organization.
Looking ahead, Strange’s March 2026 signing with the Los Angeles Chargers marked a new chapter in his career. The two-year, $13 million contract represented the most significant deal of his career and positioned him as a potential long-term solution at guard for the Chargers under head coach Mike McDaniel. The reunification with McDaniel provided Strange with a familiar coaching voice and a system in which he could thrive. His performance during the 2026 season and beyond will likely determine whether he can solidify his place as a consistent starter in the NFL.