A four-time FCS national champion at North Dakota State who became an instant NFL starter before a 2025 shoulder injury derailed his season.
Cordell Volson brought a lunch-pail approach from North Dakota State's dynasty program straight into a starting NFL job, holding down the interior offensive line for years before a serious shoulder injury cost him the entire 2025 season. He now looks to rebuild after signing on with a new team in 2026.
Path to the league
Volson starred at North Dakota State, earning three-time FCS All-America honors and winning four FCS national championships while playing every position along the offensive line. The Cincinnati Bengals drafted him in the fourth round, 136th overall, in 2022.
Career highlights
Volson became Cincinnati's starting left guard as a rookie in 2022, when he logged 1,107 snaps, the most of any Bengals player that season. He went on to start 16 games in 2022, 17 in 2023 and 15 in 2024, totaling 48 career starts in 50 games played.
2025 season recap
Volson underwent season-ending right shoulder surgery in August 2025 and missed the entire season as a result. He signed with a new team in free agency in 2026 as he looks to return to the lineup.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Cordell Volson
- Pro Football Reference: Cordell Volson
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Guard
- Group
- offense
- College
- North Dakota State
- Hometown
- Balfour, ND, USA
- Age
- 28
- Status
- active
