Lester Cotton Sr. Bio
Lester Cotton Sr. is an American professional football guard who plays in the National Football League. Born on February 20, 1996, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, he attended Central High School in Tuscaloosa before starring at the University of Alabama, where he was a member of two College Football Playoff national championship teams in 2015 and 2017. After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, Cotton signed with the Las Vegas Raiders and has since played for the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots.
Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 330 pounds, Cotton has built a career as an interior offensive lineman known for his run-blocking presence. He currently plays for the New England Patriots, who claimed him off waivers in November 2024, and he is widely recognized as one of the few undrafted linemen to have carved out a multi-year NFL career after a decorated Alabama tenure.
Early Life and Background
Lester Cotton Sr. was born on February 20, 1996, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the same city that would later become the home of his college football program. He grew up in Tuscaloosa and attended Central High School, the same school he would later be associated with at the college level. As a four-star prospect coming out of high school, Cotton was a notable recruit and played in the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game, one of the premier high school showcases in the country.
Cotton was also ranked as the number 3 offensive guard nationally by Rivals.com, establishing him as one of the most sought-after interior linemen in his recruiting class. He received scholarship offers from several major programs, including Auburn, USC, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss, before choosing to stay close to home and play for the Alabama Crimson Tide under head coach Nick Saban.
Path to American Football
Cotton’s path to American Football began on the fields of Tuscaloosa, where his size and athleticism made him a natural fit for the trenches. His standout performance at Central High School and at the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game drew the attention of recruiters from across the country, but his commitment to Alabama allowed him to remain in his hometown and develop under one of the most respected coaching staffs in college football.
As a freshman in 2015, Cotton joined a stacked Crimson Tide roster and appeared in four games during the team’s run to the College Football Playoff national championship. He earned a ring in his first collegiate season and continued to develop within Alabama’s offensive line rotation, learning from veteran players and the program’s pro-style scheme before eventually moving into a starting role.
Lester Cotton Sr. Career
Early Career (2015-2018)
Lester Cotton Sr. played his college football at the University of Alabama from 2015 to 2018, joining one of the most dominant programs in the sport. As a freshman in 2015, he played in four games and was part of the Crimson Tide team that won the College Football Playoff national championship. The following year, in 2016, he became a regular contributor, starting five games and appearing in twelve total, primarily at right guard after beginning the season at left guard. He was a key blocker in several 100-yard rushing games during the season and was graded out highly in wins over USC, Kent State, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.
By 2017, Cotton had established himself as a starting right guard for the Crimson Tide, starting all thirteen games of the regular season and helping Alabama’s offense produce historic rushing totals against opponents such as Vanderbilt, where the Tide piled up 496 rushing yards, and Colorado State. That same season, he helped Alabama reach another College Football Playoff national championship game, though a knee injury suffered in the Sugar Bowl forced him to miss the title contest against Georgia. He was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, given to the nation’s top offensive line unit, in recognition of his dominant play. In 2018, Cotton shifted to left guard and finished his college career with 28 starts, anchoring an offensive line that allowed only an average of one sack per game.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2019-2022)
Following the 2019 NFL Draft, Cotton was not selected but signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent, beginning his professional career under the team’s first season in Las Vegas. He was released at final roster cuts but later signed to the practice squad, and by December 2019 he had been promoted to the active roster, playing one snap in his NFL debut and appearing in one game while being active for three. He was released at the end of training camp in 2020 before being re-signed in February 2021.
In August 2021, Cotton was waived by the Raiders and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. After the team’s elimination in the 2021 Wild Card round, he signed a reserve/future contract on January 17, 2022. Cotton made the Raiders’ final roster in 2022 as a backup interior lineman and earned his first career start at right guard in Week 2 of that season in a spot start. His 2022 campaign was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on December 3 and later released on December 15.
Miami Dolphins Era (2022-2024)
On December 20, 2022, Cotton was signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad, marking a quick turnaround in his professional trajectory. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Dolphins on January 16, 2023, and continued to develop within the team’s offensive line room. Cotton saw his most extensive NFL action in 2024 with Miami, playing in 11 games before being released on November 25, 2024, as part of the team’s roster adjustments ahead of the final stretch of the season.
New England Patriots Era (2024-Present)
On November 26, 2024, Cotton was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots, giving him a fresh opportunity within the AFC East. He joined a Patriots offensive line that was undergoing significant changes and provided depth and versatility as an interior lineman. His familiarity with zone and gap schemes from his time at Alabama and with the Dolphins made him a useful depth piece for the team down the stretch of the 2024 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Throughout his career, Lester Cotton Sr. has been recognized for his physical run-blocking ability and his effectiveness in a power-based offensive scheme. Coming from the Alabama program, he is well schooled in combination blocks, double teams at the point of attack, and the kind of physicality required to move defensive tackles off the ball.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cotton’s most notable achievements include being part of two College Football Playoff national championship teams at Alabama in 2015 and 2017, a rare feat for a player who did not see significant starting duty until his sophomore season. He was also a 2017 finalist for the Joe Moore Award and finished his college career with 28 starts, a strong number for an undrafted player who would later play more than 40 NFL games.
Lester Cotton Sr. Career Wins
Lester Cotton Sr.’s professional career is defined less by individual awards and more by durability, versatility, and the ability to remain in the league as an undrafted interior lineman. As of the 2024 season, Cotton has appeared in 46 career NFL games with 9 starts, with his most extensive action coming during stints with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Miami Dolphins, and the New England Patriots. At the college level, he was part of two national championship-winning teams and finished with 28 starts across four seasons at Alabama.
College Highlights
Cotton’s college résumé includes two College Football Playoff national championships in 2015 and 2017, 28 career starts, and a finalist nod for the Joe Moore Award in 2017. He was a consistent presence in an Alabama offensive line that produced numerous 100-yard rushing games and helped the Crimson Tide rank among the nation’s top rushing offenses throughout his tenure. His ability to play both left and right guard made him a valuable piece of one of the most decorated offensive lines in college football history.
Other Performances
At the professional level, Cotton’s most notable single-game performance came in his first career start with the Raiders in Week 2 of the 2022 season, a milestone moment for an undrafted lineman. He went on to play 11 games for the Miami Dolphins in 2024, his highest single-season game total in the NFL, before being claimed by the New England Patriots in November of that year.
Lester Cotton Sr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Lester Cotton Sr. grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and is associated with Central High School in Tuscaloosa, the same city that became the home of his college program. His roots in Tuscaloosa allowed him to remain close to home during his college years and continue to build his football career in a familiar environment.
Personal Life
Public information about Lester Cotton Sr.’s personal life is limited. He is identified by the suffix Sr., which is widely used in the United States to distinguish a person from his father who shares the same name.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Lester Cotton Sr. is positioned as a depth interior offensive lineman for the New England Patriots after being claimed off waivers in late November 2024. The Patriots’ offseason focus on rebuilding the offensive line gives Cotton an opportunity to compete for a roster spot and potentially expand his role in 2025. His versatility to play both guard positions, honed during his time at Alabama and with the Miami Dolphins, makes him a useful piece for a team in transition.
Cotton’s track record of playing in 46 career games, including 11 with the Dolphins in 2024, suggests he can offer reliable depth throughout the regular season. The 2025 campaign will be an important one for him as he seeks to solidify his standing in the league and contribute to a Patriots team looking to climb back into contention in the AFC East.