Cole Strange

BIOGRAPHY

Devin Cole Strange was born on July 31, 1998, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and is known for his American professional football career. Armored with an impressive academic background coupled with a passion for the sport, Strange grew to become a respected guard for one of the NFL’s most recognized teams, the New England Patriots.

As a young boy, Strange developed his skills and displayed an enormous appetite for football, predominantly playing as a defensive end at Farragut High School. He managed to record impressive statistics, including 103.5 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks, during his senior year. These achievements led him to recognition as the Knoxville Interscholastic League Defensive Player of the Year. Despite being rated a two-star recruit, this gritty defensive player from Farragut had a promising career ahead of him.

Initially, Strange committed to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, later de-committing to sign a letter of intent to play at the Air Force Academy. However, Strange’s tenure at the Air Force Academy halted prematurely after the Basic Cadet Training period, leading him back to his initial commitment, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Here, he took a redshirt in his freshman year, an action that proved pivotal in the progression of his football career.

As a redshirt freshman, Strange showcased his potential in ten games, making six starts at left guard. He solidified his position as left guard in his sophomore year, starting in all 11 games earning him a second-team All-Southern Conference (SoCon) nomination. Strangely enough, he mirrored this achievement in his redshirt junior year, starting 11 games at left guard, and due to injury, one at center during the Mocs’ season finale.

Strange’s redshirt senior season, while shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, was another testament of his tenacity. Starting in 4 out of 5 games, he was decorated with the Jacobs Blocking Award, a testimony to his prowess as a blocker. Recognizing the opportunity presented by the extension of eligibility for college athletes due to the pandemic, Strange returned to Chattanooga for a sixth season in 2021. He ended his final year earning a first-team All-SoCon nomination, alongside his second-straight Jacobs Blocking Award.

Post his commendable college football venture, Strange played in the 2022 Senior Bowl. As the draft approached, many assumed him to be a third or fourth-round prospect. Contrary to expectations, the New England Patriots picked Strange in the first round as the 29th overall pick. This critical career turn saw Strange marking his NFL debut as the Patriots’ starting left guard.

In 2023, Strange played 10 games, with an eye-catching performance where he managed to notch a fumble recovery. However, his promising season ended abruptly in Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs when he incurred a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.

Recovery from this injury led him to begin the 2024 season on the reserve/PUP list. Despite, this setback, Strange continues to hustle for his NFL career while also focusing on academics. With an existing bachelor’s degree in psychology, he’s currently pursuing a Masters in Engineering Management online from UTC. Devin’s story stands as a testament to an unyielding spirit that refuses to buckle under adversities – both on the field and off.