Cory Daniel Bio
Cory Gilliland-Daniel, known professionally as Cory Daniel, is an American rugby union player who currently represents Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby. A flanker and number 8, he stands 190 cm tall and plays in the forward pack. After beginning his athletic career as a wrestler, he transitioned to rugby in 2020 and quickly rose through the ranks, earning a place on the United States national team by 2022.
Born in Silver Spring, Maryland, Daniel has become a familiar presence in the American forward setup through his work rate at the breakdown and his physical presence in the carry. His combination of wrestling background and rugby conditioning has shaped his reputation as a hard-edged, collision-ready forward.
Early Life and Background
Cory Gilliland-Daniel was born on 11 September 1995 in Silver Spring, Maryland, in the United States. Silver Spring, located just outside Washington, D.C., has produced a wide range of athletes, and Daniel grew up in this competitive sporting environment. From an early age, he showed a strong interest in physical, contact-based sports.
Before discovering rugby, Daniel was a competitive wrestler, an experience that built the base of strength, balance, and leverage that later defined his style of play. The transition away from the mat came in 2020, when he switched sports to rugby. He also attended the University of North Carolina, where he continued to develop as an athlete while adjusting to the demands of a new discipline.
Daniel is the older brother of Brady Daniel, who is also a teammate. The family connection has helped the brothers support each other as they have moved through their rugby careers together.
Path to Rugby
Daniel’s entry into rugby came through Old Glory DC, the Major League Rugby franchise based in the Washington, D.C., area. He signed with the club as a crossover athlete in 2020, identified by the coaching staff as a wrestler with the physical tools to make the switch. The opportunity gave him a direct path into a professional environment without the traditional youth rugby pipeline.
His wrestling base gave him immediate credibility in collisions, rucks, and mauls, areas where balance and leverage are decisive. Working alongside experienced coaches and teammates at Old Glory DC, Daniel adapted his skill set to the demands of rugby. By the time the 2021 season began, he had earned a place in the senior squad and was ready for his professional debut.
Cory Daniel Career
Early Career (2021)
Cory Daniel made his professional debut with Old Glory DC in the 2021 Major League Rugby season, his first full year in the sport after signing the previous year. Listed at 190 cm and 105 kg, he slotted into the back row, where his size and physical conditioning translated naturally from his wrestling days.
Throughout his debut season, Daniel established himself as a reliable option in the loose forwards, contributing at the breakdown and providing go-forward ball in contact. The experience of regular professional matches allowed him to refine his rugby-specific skills, including tackling technique, lineout work, and support play.
Old Glory DC Breakthrough (2021–Present)
Since his debut, Cory Daniel has remained a key part of Old Glory DC’s forward pack. The franchise, based in the United States capital region, has relied on his combination of size, wrestling pedigree, and growing rugby IQ. His role has expanded with each campaign, and he has become a player the coaching staff trusts in high-pressure moments.
The 2022 season marked a major step forward in his career. In October 2022, Daniel was selected for the USA Falcons XV, the national team’s development squad, for their tour to South Africa. The selection reflected the progress he had made in his game and signalled that he was being tracked for higher honors.
Just a month later, in November 2022, Daniel made his full international debut for the United States national rugby union team. He started in the match against Kenya, which served as a qualifier for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The appearance confirmed his status as one of the country’s emerging back-row forwards.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cory Daniel’s style is built on a wrestling foundation. He is strong over the ball at the breakdown, competes aggressively in contact, and brings a physical edge to the tackle contest. His height of 190 cm and weight of 105 kg allow him to contest carries and provide a steady presence in the tight phases. As he has gained more rugby experience, he has improved his reading of the game, particularly around the ruck and at the defensive line.
Notable Events and Milestones
The standout moments of Daniel’s early career include his professional debut with Old Glory DC in 2021, his selection for the USA Falcons XV tour of South Africa in October 2022, and his full international debut for the United States against Kenya in November 2022. That match, a Rugby World Cup qualifier, marked his arrival on the senior international stage.
Cory Daniel Career Wins
Cory Daniel’s career is still in its early stages, and verified team-by-team win totals are not currently available in the supplied sources. What is clear is that he has been a consistent contributor for Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby since 2021, and he has represented the United States at the senior international level. His selection for the USA Falcons XV and his full international debut against Kenya in 2022 stand as the most notable markers of his progress so far.
Old Glory DC Highlights
Daniel has been a regular in the Old Glory DC match-day squad since 2021, contributing to the franchise’s campaigns in Major League Rugby. As a forward in a league that emphasizes physicality, his appearances have helped the side compete at the breakdown and in set-piece play. Detailed match-by-match statistics for the period are not fully verified.
Other Wins and Performances
Daniel’s wrestling background provided an early athletic base, but specific wrestling titles and results are not documented in the available sources. His most important rugby performances to date remain his role with Old Glory DC and his senior international debut for the United States in 2022.
Cory Daniel Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Daniel is the older brother of Brady Daniel, who is also a rugby player and teammate. The brothers share a connection to the sport, and the family has been supportive of Cory’s transition from wrestling to professional rugby.
Personal Life
Cory Gilliland-Daniel was raised in Silver Spring, Maryland, and went on to attend the University of North Carolina. Public details about his personal relationships, marital status, and children are not documented in the available sources. His professional focus remains on his role with Old Glory DC and his duties with the United States national team setup.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 Major League Rugby season, Cory Daniel continues his role with Old Glory DC, the club he has represented since his professional debut in 2021. After a 2022 international breakthrough with the United States, he has been a regular presence in the back row, providing physicality, breakdown work, and experience to a competitive forward pack. With multiple seasons of professional rugby now behind him, he is expected to remain a central figure in the team’s campaign.
Daniel’s standing with the national team also positions him as a player to watch in 2025. Following his full international debut against Kenya in November 2022, he has continued to develop as a senior squad member, and his performances at club level will play a significant role in shaping his international opportunities. The combination of his wrestling base, his size, and his growing rugby knowledge makes him a valuable asset at both levels of the game.
For Old Glory DC, the 2025 outlook centers on continued competitiveness in Major League Rugby, and Daniel’s contributions in the tight phases and at the tackle line will be central to that effort. As he continues to build on his early international experience, his role within the franchise and the broader United States rugby landscape looks set to expand.