Cory Trice Jr. Bio
Cory Carlisle Trice Jr. (born May 30, 2000) is an American professional football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing approximately 205 pounds, he is one of the taller cornerbacks in the league and is known for his length and physicality in coverage. He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers from 2018 to 2022 and entered the NFL after being selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Trice has drawn attention for his performances despite multiple injury setbacks that have shaped the early stages of his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Cory Carlisle Trice Jr. was born on May 30, 2000, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. He grew up in Christian County and attended Christian County High School, where he developed into a promising multi-sport athlete. As a senior, Trice was recognized as the Southern Pennyrile Football Athlete of the Year, an honor that highlighted his standing as one of the top high school football players in the region.
His father, Cory Trice Sr., was tragically shot and killed in 2010. The loss marked a defining moment in Trice’s upbringing and has often been cited as a source of personal motivation throughout his athletic journey. Following his high school career, he committed to Purdue University to play college football, choosing the Boilermakers over other suitors.
Path to American Football
Trice arrived at Purdue as a highly regarded recruit from Christian County High School. The move to a Big Ten Conference program gave him the opportunity to compete against top-tier college talent and to refine his skills on a national stage. His physical tools, including his height, length, and athleticism, made him a projectable defensive back at the next level.
During his early development with the Boilermakers, Trice transitioned from safety to cornerback, a position change that better suited his frame and coverage instincts. The switch allowed him to take advantage of his size in man-to-man matchups against bigger wide receivers. His progression at Purdue established him as a draft prospect, even as injuries interrupted portions of his college career.
Cory Trice Jr. Career
College Career (2018–2022)
Trice played at Purdue from 2018 to 2022, beginning his career as a safety before being moved to cornerback in 2019. The position change proved successful, and he quickly developed into a reliable starter for the Boilermakers defense. Over the course of his college career, he recorded 106 tackles, five interceptions, and two touchdowns, demonstrating a strong combination of ball skills and run support.
His 2021 season was cut short after he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee, limiting him to just two games that year. Trice returned healthy in 2022 and was named an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection, capping his college career on a positive note and solidifying his status as an NFL prospect heading into the 2023 draft cycle.
Pittsburgh Steelers Debut and 2024 Season
Trice was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round with the 241st overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. On May 11, 2023, he signed his rookie contract. His first training camp was cut short, however, when he was placed on injured reserve on August 2, 2023, after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee, the same joint that had previously required surgery.
Trice made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season, marking a long-awaited return to the field. In Week 2, on September 15, 2024, he recorded his first NFL interception, picking off Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix in a 13–6 Steelers win. On September 24, 2024, Trice was placed on injured reserve again due to a hamstring injury, and he was activated off injured reserve on December 5, 2024, finishing the season on the active roster.
2025 Season
Trice was placed on injured reserve/designated for return on August 26, 2025, due to a hamstring injury. On November 19, 2025, Pittsburgh elected not to activate him because of a knee injury, and he reverted to season-ending injured reserve. His 2025 campaign was therefore limited, continuing a pattern of injury challenges that have defined his early NFL career.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 3 inches tall, Trice is among the tallest cornerbacks in the NFL, giving him exceptional length on the outside. His physical profile allows him to contest catches against larger wide receivers and to disrupt passing lanes. Trice pairs his size with coverage instincts refined during his time at Purdue, and he has shown the ability to make plays on the ball, including his first career interception in 2024.
Notable Events and Milestones
Trice’s most notable professional milestone came in his NFL debut season, when he recorded his first career interception against Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos in Week 2 of the 2024 season. He has also been recognized for his perseverance, having returned from two separate ACL injuries and multiple hamstring setbacks to reach the field at the professional level.
Cory Trice Jr. Career Wins
As a cornerback, Cory Trice Jr.’s on-field success is measured less in team wins and more in individual statistical contributions such as tackles, interceptions, and pass breakups. Through his limited professional appearances with the Pittsburgh Steelers, his first career interception stands as his most significant statistical highlight.
NFL Highlights
Trice’s primary NFL highlight came on September 15, 2024, when he recorded his first career interception off Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix in a Steelers victory. Beyond that play, his professional statistical resume remains limited due to the injuries that have kept him off the field for substantial stretches of his career.
College Highlights
During his time at Purdue, Trice was named an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection in 2022 and finished his college career with 106 tackles, five interceptions, and two touchdowns. His senior-season Southern Pennyrile Football Athlete of the Year award also stands as one of his most prestigious pre-college honors.
Cory Trice Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cory Trice Jr. is the son of Cory Trice Sr. His father was tragically shot and killed in 2010, a loss that has been widely referenced as a formative experience in Trice’s life and career.
Personal Life
Trice grew up in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and continues to maintain ties to the region. He is active on social media, where fans and followers can follow his professional updates.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a difficult one for Cory Trice Jr., as he was placed on injured reserve/designated for return on August 26, 2025, because of a hamstring injury. He was working toward a midseason return when Pittsburgh, on November 19, 2025, chose not to activate him due to a knee issue. The decision pushed him to season-ending injured reserve, ending his 2025 campaign.
For the Steelers, Trice’s absence further underscored the injury challenges that have shadowed his professional development. The team has been patient with his recovery trajectory, given the physical tools he has shown when healthy.
Looking ahead, Trice will look to put together a fully healthy offseason heading into 2026. If he can stay on the field, his combination of size, length, and coverage experience could make him a meaningful contributor to the Pittsburgh secondary in the years to come.