Chase Cota Bio
Chase Cota (born November 9, 1999) is an American professional football wide receiver. A native of Medford, Oregon, he is recognized for his college career with the UCLA Bruins and the Oregon Ducks, and for his perseverance in the National Football League after entering the professional ranks as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 200 pounds, Cota has spent time with multiple organizations, continuing to develop his profile as a possession receiver with reliable hands.
Across the NFL, Cota has been associated with the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, New York Giants, and Cleveland Browns. While his path has included practice squad stints and short roster windows, his journey reflects the determination required to compete at the sport’s highest level.
Early Life and Background
Chase Cota was born on November 9, 1999, in Medford, Oregon. He grew up in the Pacific Northwest and attended South Medford High School in his hometown. Medford, located in southern Oregon, has long been a community with deep ties to outdoor sports, and Cota’s upbringing there shaped his early athletic development.
Football ran in the Cota household. His father, Chad Cota, is a former professional football player, and his family’s athletic background provided Chase with a clear window into the demands of the game. He is also the cousin of Brady Breeze, an NFL safety. Surrounded by relatives who had navigated the path to professional football, Cota grew up with an early understanding of the discipline, preparation, and resilience required at the highest levels of the sport.
Path to American Football
Cota’s organized football journey began at South Medford High School, where he developed into a promising wide receiver prospect. His frame and pass-catching ability made him an attractive recruit, and he ultimately chose to continue his career at UCLA, joining the Bruins in 2018.
At UCLA, Cota was one of the few freshmen on the offense to appear in all 12 games during his first season, a sign of his readiness for the college level. Over the following seasons, he became a dependable target for the Bruins, finishing his UCLA career with 67 receptions for 883 yards and six touchdowns. In February 2022, he announced his decision to transfer to the University of Oregon, the same school his father had attended, to use his final year of eligibility.
Chase Cota Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
During his freshman year at UCLA in 2018, Cota appeared in all 12 games, recording 13 receptions for 168 yards. As a sophomore in 2019, he played in all 12 games with 10 starts, finishing with 25 receptions for 350 yards and three touchdowns, while posting a strong 14.0 yards per reception average that ranked second on the team.
The 2020 season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw him play all seven games with five starts, contributing 11 receptions for 79 yards and two touchdowns. In his senior year of 2021, he played all 12 games with 10 starts, totaling 18 receptions for 286 yards and one touchdown, with a team-best 15.9 yards per catch.
UCLA Breakthrough (2018–2021)
Across his four seasons at UCLA, Cota steadily grew into a featured part of the receiving corps. His sophomore campaign in 2019 marked his most productive Bruins season statistically, while his 2021 senior year highlighted his big-play potential, finishing second on the team in yards per reception. By the time he announced his transfer in February 2022, he had accumulated 67 receptions for 883 yards and six touchdowns in Westwood.
Oregon Ducks Breakthrough (2022)
Cota transferred to Oregon ahead of the 2022 season, joining the Ducks for his fifth-year senior campaign. He played in 10 of Oregon’s 13 games, making nine starts, and recorded 36 receptions for 497 yards with a career-high three touchdowns. At the time of his injury on October 29, 2022, against California, he ranked second on the team in receiving yards with 313, trailing only Troy Franklin.
Following the 2022 season, Cota was named an All-Pac-12 Conference honorable mention. He closed his college career with 103 receptions for 1,380 yards and nine touchdowns across 53 games, providing a strong foundation for his professional transition.
Cleveland Browns Era (2025–Present)
On July 31, 2025, Cota signed with the Cleveland Browns, marking his latest NFL opportunity. He was waived on August 12, re-signed on August 21, and waived again five days later as part of final roster cuts. Despite the brief stints, his continued presence in NFL camps reflects his reputation as a dedicated and physical receiver.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Cota’s most memorable professional moments came during his preseason debut with the Detroit Lions on August 11, 2023, when he led the team with four receptions on seven targets for 60 yards against the New York Giants. His signing with the Houston Texans in December 2023 reunited him with his cousin Brady Breeze on the practice squad, a notable personal milestone in his journey.
Chase Cota Career Wins
As a professional, Chase Cota has not yet recorded a regular season win credited to his individual statistical profile in a starting role, with his on-field contributions primarily coming in preseason action, practice squads, and brief active roster appearances. His college career featured consistent receiving production, highlighted by his All-Pac-12 honorable mention recognition at Oregon in 2022, and the career totals of 103 receptions for 1,380 yards and nine touchdowns across 53 games.
UCLA Highlights
At UCLA, Cota was a steady presence in the receiving rotation. His 2019 season produced 25 receptions for 350 yards and three touchdowns, while his 2021 senior year showcased his big-play ability with 15.9 yards per catch. He finished his Bruins career with 67 receptions for 883 yards and six touchdowns.
Other Wins & Performances
Cota’s most productive collegiate season came at Oregon in 2022, when he recorded 36 receptions for 497 yards and three touchdowns in just 10 games, leading to his All-Pac-12 honorable mention selection.
Chase Cota Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Chase Cota comes from a family with a strong football heritage. His father, Chad Cota, played professional football and also attended the University of Oregon, the same school Chase later transferred to in 2022. Chase is also the cousin of Brady Breeze, an NFL safety, creating a multi-generational connection to the sport.
Personal Life
Born and raised in Medford, Oregon, Cota has remained closely tied to his family throughout his football journey. His decision to transfer to Oregon in 2022 was influenced in part by his father’s own ties to the program. He is active on social media, where fans can follow his professional updates.
2025 Season Performance
Chase Cota’s 2025 season began with his signing by the Cleveland Browns on July 31, 2025, signaling another opportunity to compete for a roster spot. He was waived on August 12, re-signed on August 21, and waived again five days later as part of final roster cuts, a sequence that has become familiar during his NFL career. His continued movement through multiple organizations reflects the volatile nature of the league’s bottom of the roster.
Throughout the early stages of 2025, Cota has continued to showcase the physical tools that made him a priority undrafted signing in 2023, including his 6-foot-3 frame and reliable hands. While the statistical production of his 2025 campaign remains limited, his persistence in earning camp invitations and practice squad opportunities underscores his professional approach.
Looking ahead, Cota’s outlook will depend on his ability to secure a practice squad role or a future contract with an NFL organization. Given his pedigree, his All-Pac-12 recognition at Oregon, and his family’s deep football background, he remains a candidate to find a stable professional home as the 2025 season progresses.