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). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 305 pounds, he has built a professional path through multiple practice squads and active-roster opportunities since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Durden played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and the NC State Wolfpack, where he earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) recognition in consecutive seasons.
Early Life and Background
Cory Durden was born and raised in Newberry, Florida, a small community in Alachua County. He attended Newberry High School, where he developed into a two-way player on the football field. During his senior season, Durden recorded 52 tackles with 18 going for a loss, 6 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles, and a blocked field goal on defense. On offense, he added 22 catches for 229 yards and 3 touchdowns as a tight end, showing the kind of athleticism that would later help him transition to a full-time defensive role.
His senior-year performance earned Durden the Florida Athletic Coaches Association’s District 7 Player of the Year award and recognition as The Sun’s Small School Athlete of the Year. On February 20, 2016, Durden committed to play college football at Florida State University, choosing the Seminoles over other suitors and setting the stage for his move to the top tier of college football.
Path to American Football
Durden’s development into a defensive lineman began at Newberry High School, where his combination of size, quickness, and tackling instincts made him one of the most decorated small-school players in north-central Florida. His senior production drew the attention of Florida State recruiters, and his commitment in February 2016 marked his formal entry into high-level collegiate competition. By the time he finished his high school career, he had positioned himself as one of the more intriguing interior defensive prospects in the 2017 recruiting cycle.
At Florida State, Durden played three seasons for the Seminoles and gradually worked his way into a rotational role on the defensive line. He posted 68 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 3 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles during his time in Tallahassee. His most productive Seminoles season came in 2019, when he totaled 39 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 2 pass deflections, and a forced fumble.
Cory Durden Career
College Career (2017-2022)
After the 2020 season at Florida State, Durden decided to transfer to North Carolina State, where he would finish his collegiate career. With the Wolfpack, he played two seasons and totaled 58 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and a pass deflection. His best year at NC State came in 2021, when he recorded 31 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks, earning First-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors for his performance. In 2022, he was named Third-team All-ACC after registering 27 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a pass deflection.
On December 9, 2022, Durden declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, closing out a five-year college career split between two ACC programs. He left NC State with a reputation as a high-motor interior pass rusher who could hold up against the run.
Detroit Lions (2023)
After not being selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Durden signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent. His initial stay in Detroit was short, as he was waived on August 29, 2023, during the team’s final roster cuts. Despite the early release, his time in the Lions organization was enough to showcase his traits to other teams around the league.
Los Angeles Rams (2023-2024)
On September 19, 2023, Durden signed with the practice squad of the Los Angeles Rams, giving him a path back onto an NFL roster. He was promoted to the active roster on October 19, 2023, marking his first regular-season game-day elevation. The Rams waived him on November 7, 2023, but re-signed him to the practice squad the following day, demonstrating the organization’s continued interest in his development.
On January 15, 2024, Durden signed a reserve/future contract with the Rams, securing his place with the franchise into the next league year. He was waived on August 28, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad, keeping him in the Rams’ system heading into the regular season.
New York Giants (2024-2025)
On December 2, 2024, Durden was signed by the New York Giants off the Rams’ practice squad, adding depth to the Giants’ defensive front during the late stages of the 2024 season. He remained with the organization through the offseason and into the 2025 campaign, continuing to develop within an NFC East defensive line room.
On August 26, 2025, Durden was waived by the Giants as part of final roster cuts, ending his time in New York. The transaction came as teams trimmed their rosters to the regular-season limit, sending Durden back into the free-agent market.
New England Patriots Era (2025-Present)
On August 28, 2025, Durden signed with the New England Patriots practice squad, just two days after his release from the Giants. He was promoted to the Patriots’ active roster on September 6, 2025, securing a 53-man roster spot to open the regular season. His quick move from one AFC East rival to another gave him an opportunity to compete for snaps on a retooled New England defensive line.
Durden’s early work with the Patriots has been centered on contributing as a rotational defensive end, with an emphasis on stopping the run and providing interior pressure on passing downs. His professional journey through four organizations since 2023 has made him one of the more traveled young defensive linemen in the league, and his promotion to New England’s active roster signals a fresh start in Foxborough.
Driving Style and Strengths
Durden plays with a high-motor, gap-penetrating style that has translated well from his college production at Florida State and NC State. His best work has come against the run, where his size and leverage allow him to anchor against double-teams, and as an interior pass rusher who can collapse the pocket with quick first-step bursts. Coaches have consistently highlighted his work ethic, practice-squad resilience, and willingness to contribute on special teams as key strengths that have helped him navigate the league’s roster churn.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Durden’s most notable achievements are his First-team All-ACC selection in 2021 and Third-team All-ACC recognition in 2022, honors that reflected his back-to-back production in the conference. His first promotion to an NFL active roster came with the Los Angeles Rams on October 19, 2023, and his most recent roster promotion occurred with the New England Patriots on September 6, 2025. His path from undrafted free agent to active-roster defensive end across four franchises stands as the defining story of his early professional career.
Cory Durden Career Wins
Cory Durden’s career achievements have primarily come in the form of individual awards and roster milestones rather than championship victories. His two All-ACC selections in 2021 and 2022 remain his most decorated individual accomplishments, and his multiple practice-squad promotions and active-roster elevations reflect a steady climb through the NFL’s transaction wire since 2023.
College Highlights
Durden earned First-team All-ACC honors in 2021 with NC State after posting 31 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks, his most productive season as a Wolfpack defender. The following year, he was named Third-team All-ACC in 2022 with 27 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a pass deflection. His 2019 campaign at Florida State, when he recorded 5 sacks, also stands out as a peak statistical year for the Seminoles.
Cory Durden Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cory Durden grew up in Newberry, Florida, where his early football development took place. Public details about his parents and broader family background are not widely documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Durden continues to reside in Newberry, Florida, his hometown. He has kept his personal and family life largely out of the public eye, and details about a spouse or children are not publicly confirmed in available reporting.
2025 Season Performance
Cory Durden’s 2025 season began with a release from the New York Giants on August 26 as part of final roster cuts, a transaction that briefly left his roster status uncertain. Within two days, he signed with the New England Patriots practice squad, and on September 6, 2025, he was promoted to the active roster, securing a regular-season role along the defensive front.
His 2025 outlook centers on carving out a rotational spot on a New England defensive line that has been in transition, with opportunities likely to come on early downs and in specialty pass-rush situations. Durden’s familiarity with AFC East opponents from his time with the Patriots could offer a small advantage as he works to build consistency within Mike Vrabel’s defensive scheme.
Heading into the middle of the 2025 season, Durden’s main goals are to establish himself as a reliable depth piece, contribute on special teams, and earn a longer-term role beyond his current contract. His ability to move from practice squad to active roster in two days reflects the kind of resilience that could help him stabilize his place in the league’s defensive end pecking order.