Cory Durden Bio
Cory Durden (born January 26, 1999) is an American professional football defensive end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and NC State Wolfpack before entering the 2023 NFL Draft as an undrafted free agent. Durden has appeared on rosters for the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, and New York Giants before joining the Patriots in 2025. He started in Super Bowl LX, a 29–13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Early Life and Background
Cory Durden grew up in Newberry, Florida, and attended Newberry High School. During his senior season, he recorded 52 tackles with 18 going for a loss, 6 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles, and a blocked field goal. He also contributed on offense, catching 22 passes for 229 yards and 3 touchdowns as a tight end. His dominant high school performance earned him Florida Athletic Coaches Association District 7 Player of the Year honors and The Sun’s Small School Athlete of the Year recognition.
Durden committed to play college football at Florida State University on February 20, 2016, choosing the Seminoles over other programs to continue his football development at the highest collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Durden began his college career at Florida State University, playing three seasons with the Seminoles from 2018 to 2020. His best season came in 2019, when he recorded 39 tackles with 6.5 for loss, 5 sacks, 2 pass deflections, and a forced fumble. Across his three years at Florida State, he accumulated 68 tackles, 13.5 for loss, and 7.5 sacks while helping anchor the defensive line.
After the 2020 season, Durden transferred to NC State to continue his college football career. He played two seasons with the Wolfpack from 2021 to 2022, totaling 58 tackles with 7.5 for loss, 3.5 sacks, and a pass deflection. His 2021 season proved his most productive, as he posted 31 tackles with 4.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks. Following the 2022 season, Durden declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Cory Durden Career
Detroit Lions (2023)
After not hearing his name called during the 2023 NFL Draft, Durden signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2023. He competed for a roster spot during training camp but was waived on August 29, 2023, as part of the Lions’ final roster reductions.
Los Angeles Rams (2023–2024)
On September 19, 2023, Durden signed with the Los Angeles Rams practice squad. His strong performance earned him a promotion to the active roster on October 19. However, he was waived again on November 7 before re-signing to the practice squad the following day. Durden signed a reserve/future contract with the Rams on January 15, 2024, securing his place for the 2024 season. He was waived on August 28, 2024, during final roster cuts but re-joined the practice squad.
New York Giants (2024–2025)
On December 2, 2024, Durden was signed by the New York Giants off the Rams practice squad, giving him an opportunity with a new organization. He remained with the Giants through the 2024 season and into training camp for 2025. On August 26, 2025, Durden was waived by the Giants as part of final roster cuts, making him available for other teams.
New England Patriots (2025–Present)
On August 28, 2025, Durden signed with the New England Patriots practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on September 6, 2025, securing his spot on the Patriots’ 53-man roster. During his inaugural season with the team, Durden started in Super Bowl LX, where the Patriots fell to the Seattle Seahawks by a score of 29–13.
Notable Events and Milestones
Durden’s most significant career milestone came in February 2026 when he started in Super Bowl LX for the New England Patriots. Throughout his NFL career, he has demonstrated the ability to contribute as a rotational interior defensive lineman, showing promise as a run defender from the nose tackle position.
Cory Durden Career Wins
Throughout his college and professional career, Cory Durden has accumulated individual accolades and team accomplishments across multiple organizations. His college career at NC State produced his most notable achievements, while his NFL journey has seen him develop into a dependable rotational player.
College Highlights
Durden earned First-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors in 2021 after recording 31 tackles, 4.5 for loss, and 3.5 sacks during the season. The following year, he was named Third-team All-ACC in 2022 after notching 27 tackles, 2.5 for loss, and a pass deflection. His consistent production across both Florida State and NC State demonstrated his ability to compete at a high collegiate level.
Professional Highlights
In his NFL career, Durden has appeared in games with the Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants before establishing himself with the New England Patriots. His start in Super Bowl LX represents the pinnacle of his professional achievements thus far, as he continues to develop as an interior defensive lineman in the league.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant转折 point in Durden’s career as he joined the New England Patriots organization. After being waived by the Giants in late August, he quickly found a landing spot with the Patriots practice squad before earning a promotion to the active roster in early September. His ability to quickly adapt and contribute earned him a starting role in the Patriots’ Super Bowl LX appearance, where he faced the Seattle Seahawks in the championship game.
Throughout the season, Durden provided depth along the Patriots’ defensive line, primarily contributing from the nose tackle position. His experience across multiple NFL organizations demonstrated his resilience and ability to fit into different defensive schemes. The Patriots coaching staff trusted him enough to include him in their starting lineup for the most important game of the season.
Looking ahead, Durden appears positioned to continue his NFL career with the New England Patriots. His trajectory from undrafted free agent to Super Bowl starter showcases his determination and ability to overcome adversity. As he enters the 2026 season, he will aim to build upon his 2025 experience and establish himself as a more prominent member of the Patriots’ defensive front.