Cole Fotheringham Bio
Cole Fotheringham (born October 11, 1997) is an American professional football tight end. He played college football for the Utah Utes before entering the National Football League in 2022 as an undrafted free agent. Since then he has spent time on rosters and practice squads with the Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, and New England Patriots.
Fotheringham has built his career on positional versatility, serving primarily as a blocking tight end while also contributing as a short-yardage receiving option. He has remained active in professional football since 2022, working to establish a longer-term role at the game’s highest level.
Early Life and Background
Cole Fotheringham was born on October 11, 1997, in San Clemente, California. San Clemente, a coastal city in Orange County, is known for producing athletes who grow up surfing and playing multiple sports, and Fotheringham developed in that same athletic environment. He attended San Clemente High School, where he played football and began attracting attention from college programs as a tight end prospect.
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall and playing at roughly 245 pounds, Fotheringham had the size and frame that college recruiters looked for in a pass-catching and blocking tight end. His combination of physical tools and football IQ led to scholarship offers from multiple programs, and he ultimately chose to continue his career at the University of Utah.
Path to American Football
At San Clemente High School, Fotheringham developed into a multi-year varsity contributor at tight end, working on his route running, blocking technique, and special teams play. His high school performance earned him a place in the Utah Utes football program, where he would spend the next several years refining his game against top-tier competition in the Pac-12 Conference.
During his time at Utah, Fotheringham worked within a pro-style offense that emphasized tight end usage, giving him experience in both in-line blocking and pass-catching roles. He developed into a reliable contributor for the Utes, learning the discipline and preparation required to play tight end at a high level. His college résumé was strong enough to draw NFL interest, even though he went unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Cole Fotheringham Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft, Cole Fotheringham signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2022. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 30, 2022, and re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. That move set the pattern for much of his early career, as he bounced between the practice squad and the active roster while continuing to develop his game.
On January 10, 2023, Fotheringham signed a reserve/future contract with the Raiders, giving him a chance to compete for a roster spot the following summer. He was once again waived on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. On December 24, 2023, he was elevated to the active roster ahead of a Week 16 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, making his NFL debut at 19 offensive snaps and catching a six-yard pass from quarterback Aidan O’Connell. He was elevated again on December 30, 2023, but suffered a hamstring injury in that game that ended his season.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2022–2023)
Fotheringham’s most extended run came with the Las Vegas Raiders across the 2022 and 2023 seasons. After signing as an undrafted free agent in 2022, he spent his rookie year on the practice squad, learning the offensive system and contributing on the scout team. His persistence paid off when he signed a reserve/future contract in January 2023, locking in his place with the organization through the offseason.
His NFL debut came in late December 2023 against the Kansas City Chiefs, when injuries at the tight end position opened a window for him to play. He logged 19 offensive snaps and recorded his first career reception, a six-yard catch from Aidan O’Connell. The momentum was cut short by a hamstring injury the following week, but his first NFL appearance marked a significant milestone in his professional career.
Houston Texans Era (2024)
On August 29, 2024, Cole Fotheringham signed with the practice squad of the Houston Texans, looking for a fresh opportunity after his injury-shortened finish to 2023. He was released by Houston on September 9, 2024, ending a brief stay with the organization. The short Texans stint reflected the constant movement typical for tight ends fighting for practice squad and active roster spots.
Las Vegas Raiders Second Stint (2024)
On October 1, 2024, Fotheringham returned to the Las Vegas Raiders, signing with the team’s practice squad for a second stint with the organization. He was released on December 17, 2024, closing out the calendar year. His return to the Raiders demonstrated the strong relationship he had built with the franchise’s coaching staff and front office across multiple seasons.
Denver Broncos Era (2025)
On May 12, 2025, Cole Fotheringham was signed by the Denver Broncos, marking his third different NFL organization. He was waived with an injury designation on June 3, 2025, and reverted to injured reserve the following day. On June 5, 2025, he was waived with an injury settlement, ending his short time in Denver.
New England Patriots Era (2025)
On July 30, 2025, Fotheringham signed with the New England Patriots, continuing his pursuit of a stable NFL opportunity. He was released by New England on August 22, 2025. The Patriots stint, like several of his previous stops, was brief, but it extended his streak of remaining attached to an NFL roster during the 2025 league year.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cole Fotheringham is best known as a hard-nosed, in-line blocking tight end with the physicality to handle defensive ends at the point of attack. He is also a reliable underneath target on play-action and short-route concepts, and his willingness to contribute on special teams has helped him stick on practice squads across multiple organizations.
Notable Events and Milestones
The signature moment of Cole Fotheringham’s career came on December 24, 2023, when he made his NFL debut with the Las Vegas Raiders against the Kansas City Chiefs and caught his first career pass from Aidan O’Connell. He has been a part of four different NFL organizations between 2022 and 2025, and he has signed reserve/future contracts that reflect the league’s continued interest in his tools and work ethic.
Cole Fotheringham Career Wins
Cole Fotheringham’s professional career has been built more on perseverance and roster resilience than on championship hardware. He has yet to record a major statistical milestone in terms of win totals, and he has not been publicly recognized with league awards. His journey reflects the journeyman path of a tight end who has continued to find NFL opportunities through practice squad play, special teams work, and reserve/future contracts.
Cole Fotheringham Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Cole Fotheringham’s family background is limited. He grew up in San Clemente, California, and developed into an NFL-caliber tight end through years of high school and college work, but specific details about his parents and immediate family have not been widely published.
Personal Life
Cole Fotheringham keeps his personal life largely private. No public information about a spouse, partner, or children has been confirmed. His public presence centers on his professional football career, including his activity on social media under the handle associated with his X account.
2025 Season Performance
Cole Fotheringham’s 2025 league year has been marked by movement between organizations. He signed with the Denver Broncos on May 12, 2025, before being waived with an injury designation in early June and later released with an injury settlement. He quickly found a new home, signing with the New England Patriots on July 30, 2025, where he competed for a tight end role through the early stages of training camp.
His release by the Patriots on August 22, 2025, came during the heart of the preseason, a period when teams trim rosters ahead of the regular season. The timing of his release leaves the door open for a potential practice squad addition or another late-summer signing before the 2025 regular season gets fully underway.
Looking ahead, Fotheringham’s 2025 outlook depends on his recovery from the injury that ended his Denver stint and his ability to latch on with another organization. His track record of signing reserve/future contracts and earning elevations to active rosters suggests that he remains an attractive developmental option for teams in need of tight end depth.