Cordell Volson Bio
Cordell Volson is an American professional football guard for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Dakota State Bison and was selected by the Bengals in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and listed at 143 kilograms, Volson has developed into a steady presence along the offensive line since entering the league.
Early Life and Background
Cordell Volson was born on July 20, 1998, in Balfour, North Dakota, a small rural community with a population of roughly 27 residents. He grew up in this tight-knit farming town, where high school athletics often draw from a small pool of available athletes. He attended Drake-Anamoose High School, where he developed his early interest in football.
At Drake-Anamoose, Volson played on the school’s nine-man football team, a format common in sparsely populated areas of the Midwest. He lined up at offensive line, defensive line, tight end, fullback, linebacker, punter, and kicker, demonstrating an unusually broad athletic skill set for a young player. That versatility helped him attract college attention despite playing in one of the smallest classifications of American high school football.
Following his high school career, Volson committed to play college football at North Dakota State, choosing the Bison over scholarship offers from Wyoming and North Dakota. His decision to remain in his home state reflected both his loyalty to the region and his belief in the rising North Dakota State program.
Path to American Football
Volson’s path to professional football began with a redshirt year during his true freshman season at North Dakota State. He spent that period learning the Bison’s offensive system and developing his body for the physical demands of FCS football. As a redshirt freshman and sophomore, he saw the field mostly on special teams, gradually adjusting to the speed and complexity of the college game.
Heading into his redshirt junior season, Volson earned a starting role on the offensive line. He started all 16 games for the Bison and was named first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) as North Dakota State captured the 2020 NCAA Division I Football Championship. The following year, shortened and played in the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was recognized as a consensus FCS All-American.
Volson also decided to use the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes affected by the pandemic, returning to North Dakota State for a sixth season. That final collegiate campaign allowed him to refine his technique against top FCS competition and prepare for the jump to the NFL level.
Cordell Volson Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
Volson’s most significant early achievements came as a member of the North Dakota State Bison, where he was part of FCS national championship teams in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. He earned first-team All-MVFC honors in 2019, 2020, and 2021, establishing himself as one of the top offensive linemen in the Missouri Valley Football Conference during that stretch.
His role grew steadily from a redshirt learning the system to a multi-year starter and a consensus All-American. The Bison’s sustained championship success provided Volson with experience in high-pressure postseason games, a foundation that translated to his readiness for the professional ranks.
National Football League Breakthrough (2022)
Volson was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round, 136th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft. He entered training camp competing for a starting role and won the starting left guard position outright as a rookie over Jackson Carman, a notable accomplishment for a Day 3 draft pick.
In his first NFL season, Volson played 1,107 offensive snaps, the most of any Cincinnati Bengals player that year. That workload underscored the coaching staff’s confidence in his durability, technique, and communication along the offensive line as the Bengals made a deep postseason run.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2022–Present)
Volson has remained with the Cincinnati Bengals since being drafted, continuing to anchor the left guard position. His role within the offensive line has remained consistent, providing the Bengals with a reliable, hard-working presence in the trenches.
In August 2025, head coach Zac Taylor announced that Volson would require season-ending right shoulder surgery. He was subsequently designated as waived/injured by Cincinnati as part of final roster cuts and reverted to injured reserve the following day. The injury marked an unfortunate interruption to his tenure with the team.
Driving Style and Strengths
Volson is recognized for his size, athleticism, and positional versatility, traits that trace back to his days playing nearly every snap of a nine-man football game in high school. His ability to handle a high snap count and his comfort in a power-based running scheme have been central to his value with the Bengals.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Volson’s career are his four FCS national championships with North Dakota State, his consensus FCS All-American selection, and his record-setting snap count as a Bengals rookie in 2022. His path from a town of 27 residents to the NFL stands as a notable storyline in modern professional football.
Cordell Volson Career Wins
Cordell Volson’s most prominent team accomplishments came at the collegiate level, where he was part of four FCS national championship squads with the North Dakota State Bison in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. He also earned three consecutive first-team All-MVFC selections in 2019, 2020, and 2021, and was named a consensus FCS All-American in 2020.
National Football League Highlights
In the NFL, Volson’s primary highlight has been his durability and consistency, exemplified by his 1,107 offensive snaps as a rookie with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022, the highest total on the team. Winning the starting left guard job as a rookie and playing every game in a season that ended in a deep Bengals playoff run remains his defining professional achievement to date.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the NFL, Volson’s résumé includes championships, all-conference honors, and All-American recognition at the FCS level. He is regarded as one of the most decorated North Dakota State offensive linemen of his era.
Cordell Volson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cordell Volson was raised in Balfour, North Dakota, a small community where he developed his strong work ethic and athletic foundation. Details about his parents and broader family are not publicly documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Volson has kept his personal life largely private, and no verified information is available about a spouse, partner, or children. His social media presence focuses primarily on his football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Volson continuing to hold a role on the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive line. However, on August 20, 2025, head coach Zac Taylor announced that Volson would require season-ending right shoulder surgery, abruptly altering his campaign.
As part of Cincinnati’s final roster cuts on August 26, Volson was designated as waived/injured. He reverted to injured reserve the following day, ending his 2025 playing year before it could fully take shape.
Looking beyond the injury, Volson’s long-term outlook with the Bengals will depend on his recovery and the team’s evaluation of its offensive line. His track record of durability and his status as a fourth-round pick in 2022 suggest he will have the opportunity to compete for a starting role once healthy.