Cordell Volson Bio
Cordell Volson is an American professional football guard who plays in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Dakota State Bison, where he was part of four FCS national championship teams, and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft. After spending his first four professional seasons with the Bengals, Volson signed with the Tennessee Titans in March 2026.
Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and listed at 315 pounds, Volson is a long, powerful interior lineman known for his durability and his steady climb from a small North Dakota town to a starting role in the NFL.
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 there and attended Drake-Anamoose High School in nearby Drake, North Dakota, where he played on a nine-man football team. Because of the small roster, Volson was asked to play a remarkable range of positions, including offensive line, defensive line, tight end, fullback, linebacker, punter, and kicker.
That versatility shaped his development as a player, exposing him to blocking, tackling, and special-teams work from an early age. Coming out of high school, Volson drew college interest from several programs, including Wyoming and the University of North Dakota, before committing to North Dakota State, a perennial FCS powerhouse.
Path to American Football
Volson’s path to professional football ran through one of the most dominant programs in FCS history. After committing to North Dakota State, he redshirted his true freshman year and spent the next two seasons working mostly on special teams. His role grew steadily, and by his redshirt junior season he had earned a starting spot on the offensive line.
As a starter, Volson helped anchor a Bison offensive line that powered the program to continued success, including the 2020 NCAA Division I Football Championship. Following that season, which was shifted to the spring of 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Volson used the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes and returned to NDSU for a sixth season, finishing his career as a consensus FCS All-American.
Cordell Volson Career
Early Career (2016–2021)
Volson’s college career stretched across six seasons at North Dakota State, where he was part of four FCS national championship teams in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. He earned first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors in 2019, 2020, and 2021, establishing himself as one of the top interior linemen in the subdivision.
His steady play and championship experience made him an attractive prospect for NFL teams, and he entered the 2022 NFL draft with a reputation for toughness, technique, and reliability.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2022–2025)
Volson was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round, 136th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft. He quickly won the starting left guard job as a rookie, beating out Jackson Carman, and went on to play 1,107 snaps that season, the most of any Bengals player. Through four seasons in Cincinnati, he appeared in 50 games and made 48 starts, becoming a fixture on the offensive line.
His tenure with the Bengals, however, ended abruptly before the 2025 season. On August 20, 2025, head coach Zac Taylor announced that Volson would need season-ending right shoulder surgery. Days later, on August 26, he was designated as waived/injured as part of final roster cuts, and he reverted to injured reserve the following day.
Tennessee Titans Era (2026–Present)
On March 12, 2026, Volson signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The move gave him an opportunity to re-establish himself as a starting-caliber guard after recovering from his shoulder procedure.
Listed at number 73 on the Titans roster, Volson joined a Tennessee offensive line in need of experienced interior players. His championship pedigree and multi-year starting experience made him a logical addition for a team looking to bolster its trenches.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature accomplishments of Volson’s career are his four FCS national championships with North Dakota State and his three consecutive first-team All-MVFC selections from 2019 through 2021. His 1,107 offensive snaps as a Bengals rookie set a personal benchmark and demonstrated his conditioning and durability, and his 48 career starts through the 2024 season underscored his role as a long-term starter at the NFL level.
Cordell Volson Career Wins
Cordell Volson’s career is built less on individual awards than on team success and consistent availability. He is a four-time FCS national champion and a three-time first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection, honors that reflect his central role on dominant North Dakota State teams.
College Highlights
Volson’s college résumé features four FCS national titles (2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021) and three straight first-team All-MVFC seasons (2019–2021). He capped his NDSU career as a consensus FCS All-American in his final season, cementing his status as one of the top interior linemen in program history.
Professional Performances
At the professional level, Volson’s most notable performance came during his 2022 rookie season, when he logged 1,107 offensive snaps, the highest total on the Cincinnati Bengals, and won the starting left guard job out of training camp. He went on to start 48 of 50 games played through the 2024 season before his 2025 campaign was cut short by shoulder surgery.
Cordell Volson Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Volson grew up in Balfour, North Dakota, a tiny community that helped shape his small-town, workmanlike approach to the game. Public information about his immediate family, including parents and siblings, is limited, and he has generally kept his personal and family life private.
2025 Season Performance
Volson’s 2025 season with the Cincinnati Bengals never got underway. On August 20, 2025, head coach Zac Taylor announced that the guard would require season-ending right shoulder surgery, and six days later Volson was designated as waived/injured during final roster cuts before reverting to injured reserve.
The early end to his Bengals tenure opened the door to a fresh start, and on March 12, 2026, Volson signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans. Heading into 2025, he was expected to compete for a starting interior role in Tennessee, bringing his four FCS titles, three All-MVFC selections, and four years of NFL starting experience to a retooled Titans offensive line.
