Lloyd Cushenberry III Bio
Lloyd Cushenberry III is an American professional football center who currently plays in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Cushenberry has established himself as a reliable starting center in the NFL, earning recognition for his consistency and leadership on the offensive line. He signed with the Tennessee Titans in March 2024 after spending his first four professional seasons with the Broncos organization.
Early Life and Background
Lloyd Cushenberry III was born on November 22, 1997, in Carville, Louisiana, United States. He grew up in his home state and attended Dutchtown High School in Geismar, Louisiana, where he developed his skills as an offensive lineman. His performance in high school attracted attention from college programs across the country.
Cushenberry initially committed to play college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks but later de-committed before ultimately deciding to continue his football career closer to home at Louisiana State University. His journey through the recruitment process demonstrated his careful consideration of his collegiate options before making his final decision.
Path to Professional Football
Cushenberry joined the LSU Tigers football program in 2016. He redshirted his true freshman season, using that year to adapt to the collegiate level and develop his craft. As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in 11 total games, with six of those games played on offense. This experience provided him with valuable game reps as he worked toward a larger role on the team.
By his redshirt sophomore season, Cushenberry had earned the starting center position for the Tigers. His development continued through the 2019 season, when he delivered an outstanding performance as a redshirt junior. That year, he was recognized as a first-team All-SEC selection and helped lead LSU to the College Football Playoff national championship. Following the championship season, Cushenberry made the decision to enter the 2020 NFL Draft, forgoing his final year of collegiate eligibility.
Lloyd Cushenberry III Career
Denver Broncos (2020–2023)
Lloyd Cushenberry III was selected by the Denver Broncos with the 83rd overall pick in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Broncos immediately installed him as their starting center heading into his rookie season. He made his NFL debut on September 14, 2020, starting in the season opener against the Tennessee Titans. Cushenberry exceeded expectations during his rookie campaign, starting all 16 games and playing every single offensive snap for the Broncos. His performance earned him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team, validating the team’s investment in him during the draft.
Cushenberry continued as the Broncos starting center through the 2021 and 2022 seasons, consistently performing at a high level. However, his 2022 season was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on November 8, 2022, due to a groin strain. According to Cushenberry’s accounts, the Broncos kept him on injured reserve even after he had recovered from the injury and did not reactivate him for the remainder of that season. He returned healthy for the 2023 season, once again serving as the starting center and playing all games.
Tennessee Titans (2024–Present)
On March 14, 2024, Cushenberry signed a four-year, $50 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, marking a significant milestone in his career. He joined the Titans as a veteran presence on the offensive line and was named a team captain for the 2024 season. Cushenberry quickly established himself as a reliable anchor in the middle of the Titans offensive line, playing every offensive snap through the first nine weeks of the season.
Unfortunately, his 2024 season came to an abrupt end when he suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon tear in Week 9. The injury occurred on November 6, 2024, prompting the Titans to place him on injured reserve. Despite the setback, Cushenberry had already logged one fumble recovery during his eight games as starting center that season. The recovery from an Achilles injury typically requires an extended timeline, and Cushenberry began the 2025 season on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list, being activated on August 11, 2025, after being on the list since July 24.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a center, Cushenberry’s strengths lie in his consistency, football intelligence, and ability to anchor the offensive line. His experience starting every game in his rookie season and continuing that reliability through subsequent years demonstrates his durability and mental toughness. His pre-snap read ability and communication skills help orchestrate protections along the offensive line, making him a valuable leader in the locker room and on the field.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cushenberry’s career has been marked by several significant achievements. His rookie season standout performance, culminating in PFWA All-Rookie Team honors, established him as a promising young talent in the league. The $50 million contract he signed with the Titans in 2024 represented both a major commitment from the organization and recognition of his value as a starting-caliber center. His leadership role as team captain with the Titans highlighted the respect he has earned throughout his professional career.
Lloyd Cushenberry III Career Wins and Honors
Throughout his football career spanning college and professional levels, Cushenberry has accumulated notable honors and achievements. His collegiate career at LSU included the pinnacle of college football success, and his transition to the NFL brought immediate recognition in his rookie season.
College and NFL Honors
During his time at LSU, Cushenberry was a key contributor to the Tigers’ 2019 CFP national championship team. His performance that season earned him first-team All-SEC recognition, validating his development into one of the top centers in college football. In the NFL, his rookie season in 2020 resulted in PFWA All-Rookie Team honors, making him one of the few Day 3 draft picks to earn All-Rookie recognition at his position. Throughout his 80 career games in the NFL, he has started all 80 contests, demonstrating remarkable durability and consistency as a professional.
Other Notable Performances
Beyond his individual accolades, Cushenberry’s value is reflected in the contracts he has secured and the leadership roles he has held. His four-year, $50 million deal with the Titans stood as a testament to his standing as one of the more reliable centers in the league. Serving as a team captain in his first season with the Titans further demonstrated the respect he commands from coaches and teammates alike.
Lloyd Cushenberry III Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Public records indicate that Lloyd Cushenberry III was born and raised in Carville, Louisiana. Information regarding his family background, including his parents and any family connections to football, is not extensively documented in available sources. He has maintained a strong connection to his home state throughout his career, attending high school and college in Louisiana before launching his professional football career.
Personal Life
Limited information is publicly available regarding Cushenberry’s personal life, including his marital status or children. He has focused much of his public presence on his athletic career and contributions to his teams. His professional trajectory from LSU to the NFL has been well-documented, with his achievements on the field serving as the primary narrative throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a critical year in Lloyd Cushenberry III’s career as he works to return from the Achilles tendon injury that ended his 2024 campaign. Beginning the season on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list on July 24, 2025, he was activated on August 11, 2025, indicating that he had recovered sufficiently to participate in training camp activities. The extended recovery timeline for an Achilles injury required careful management throughout the offseason and preseason.
Cushenberry’s primary goal for the 2025 season is to regain his form as a starting center and team leader for the Tennessee Titans. His experience and reliability make him a valuable asset for an offensive line looking to establish consistency. The Titans will look to benefit from his communication skills and football intelligence as they build around their core players.
The outlook for Cushenberry beyond the 2025 season remains tied to his performance and health. His contract runs through 2028, providing stability, but his ability to stay on the field will be crucial in determining his long-term impact with the organization. Observers will be monitoring his return from injury and how he performs in his first full season back from the Achilles tear.