Cody Mauch Bio
Cody Mauch (born January 15, 1999) is an American professional football guard for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 305 pounds, he plays the offensive line after beginning his career as a tight end. He played college football for the North Dakota State Bison, where he developed into one of the top offensive linemen in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
After a decorated college career that included multiple national championships, Mauch was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He quickly became a full-time starter and has been a fixture on the Buccaneers’ offensive line since entering the league.
Early Life and Background
Cody Mauch was born on January 15, 1999, in Breckenridge, Minnesota. He grew up in nearby Hankinson, North Dakota, where his parents lived and where he attended Hankinson High School. As a young athlete, he played multiple sports, including basketball, baseball, and football, demonstrating an early love for competition and physical activity.
During his seventh-grade year, Mauch lost his two front teeth while diving for a loose ball during a basketball game, a moment that reflected his fearless playing style. In football, he finished his high school career with 1,072 receiving yards and a school-record 24 touchdowns. As a senior, he posted 24 catches for 474 yards and 13 touchdowns, added 398 rushing yards and four rushing scores, passed for 273 yards and four touchdowns, and recorded 18.5 sacks on defense across nine games.
Mauch was also a standout basketball player, earning second team All-State honors as a senior after averaging 20 points, 15.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game. He ultimately committed to play college football at North Dakota State, choosing the Bison over a similar preferred walk-on offer from the University of North Dakota and a scholarship offer from Division II Minnesota State–Moorhead.
Path to American Football
When Mauch arrived at North Dakota State, he was initially listed as a tight end and redshirted his true freshman season. The Bison coaching staff soon moved him to the offensive line, a transition that shaped his future as a professional lineman. He appeared in six games as a redshirt freshman, contributing to North Dakota State’s 2018 FCS national championship.
As a redshirt sophomore, Mauch played in all 16 of the Bison’s games, appearing on special teams and occasionally lining up at tight end to serve as a sixth offensive lineman. The team repeated as national champions that season, giving Mauch early exposure to winning at the highest level of college football’s subdivision.
Mauch became a full-time starter during his redshirt junior season, which was shortened and played in the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was named second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) that year, and later earned first-team All-MVFC and second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press after another national title run.
Cody Mauch Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Mauch’s earliest contributions at North Dakota State came on special teams and as a rotational tight end. During his redshirt freshman year in 2018, he played in six games and was part of the Bison team that captured the FCS national championship. His willingness to do the unglamorous work helped him earn more responsibility as his career progressed.
By his redshirt sophomore season, Mauch had become a regular contributor, appearing in all 16 games while North Dakota State repeated as national champions. He spent the 2020 season continuing to develop his craft on the offensive line, setting the stage for his emergence as a starter the following year.
North Dakota State Bison Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Mauch’s breakthrough came in 2021, when the pandemic-shortened spring season gave him a chance to start. He began the year as a starter in the second game of the season and went on to start all 15 games for the Bison. He was named second-team All-MVFC and later earned first-team All-MVFC recognition along with second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press as North Dakota State won another FCS national title.
In 2022, Mauch used the extra year of eligibility granted to athletes affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to return for a sixth season. He was added to the watchlist for the Walter Payton Award, given to the top offensive player in the FCS, and earned consensus FCS All-American honors. He also graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in agricultural and biosystems engineering.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2023–Present)
Mauch was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round, 48th overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he started all 17 regular season games, an impressive feat for a young offensive lineman adjusting to the speed of the professional game. He followed that up by starting all 17 games again in the 2024 season, cementing his role as a key piece of the Buccaneers’ offensive line.
In Week 2 of the 2025 season against the Houston Texans, Mauch suffered a season-ending knee injury, cutting short what had been another year of full-time starting duty. Despite the setback, his rapid ascent from FCS standout to reliable NFL starter had already established him as a foundational piece of the team’s offensive front.
Notable Events and Milestones
Mauch’s career has been defined by championship football at every level. He was part of three FCS national championship teams at North Dakota State in 2018, 2019, and 2021, and earned consensus All-American recognition in 2022. His selection in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft marked him as one of the most decorated offensive linemen to come out of the FCS in recent years.
Cody Mauch Career Wins
At the college level, Cody Mauch helped the North Dakota State Bison capture three FCS national championships, in 2018, 2019, and 2021. His role grew with each title run, culminating in a consensus All-American season in 2022.
North Dakota State Bison Highlights
Mauch played in 6 games as a redshirt freshman during the 2018 championship season, then appeared in all 16 games the following year as the Bison repeated as national champions. He started all 15 games during the spring 2021 season, earning second-team All-MVFC and second-team All-American honors while helping North Dakota State win its third title in four years. His senior season in 2022 brought consensus FCS All-American recognition and a Walter Payton Award watchlist nod.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his championship runs, Mauch earned first-team All-MVFC honors in both 2021 and 2022, along with second-team All-MVFC recognition in 2020. He was also a multi-sport standout at Hankinson High School, setting a school record with 24 career receiving touchdowns.
Cody Mauch Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Cody Mauch’s immediate family are limited, though he grew up in Hankinson, North Dakota, where his parents still live. His upbringing in a small North Dakota community shaped his work ethic and grounded persona as a professional athlete.
Personal Life
Mauch resides in Hankinson, North Dakota, and is recognized for his farming and agricultural roots, an interest that connected to his college degree in agricultural and biosystems engineering from North Dakota State University.
2025 Season Performance
Cody Mauch entered the 2025 NFL season as a returning full-time starter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, continuing his role as a foundational piece of the team’s offensive line. The Buccaneers relied on his versatility and reliability at guard as they navigated the early part of their schedule.
Unfortunately, Mauch’s 2025 campaign was cut short during Week 2 against the Houston Texans, when he suffered a season-ending knee injury. The injury was a significant blow to both Mauch and the Buccaneers’ offensive front, given his durability in starting every game during his first two NFL seasons.
Looking ahead, the focus shifts to Mauch’s recovery and his expected return to the starting lineup in 2026. His track record of durability and rapid development at both the FCS and NFL levels suggests he will be a central figure in the Buccaneers’ offensive plans once he is back to full health.