Corn Elder

Corn Elder's Biography

Cornelius Marquis Elder, with a professional career spanning over multiple years across various popular NFL teams, marks an epitome of perseverance in the American football landscape. Elder was born on October 9, 1994, and his lifelong passion for football led him to pursue it as a career option. Today, he holds the position of a professional football cornerback for the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League (UFL), showcasing his defensive prowess on the field at every play.

Having shown exemplary performance as a running back during his high school days, Elder was a notable four-star player. He was also recognized back-to-back as the Mr. Football Player of the Year in Tennessee, bolstering his reputation as a promising young talent. His athletic prowess, however, was not limited to just one sport. Elder was a two-sport star, and he had impressed the basketball team of Purdue University enough to receive an offer from them.

Upon accepting the scholarship, Elder initially enrolled at the University of Miami to become a part of their prestigious basketball program. However, a significant injury – torn meniscus in his right knee – altered his plans, leading him to quit basketball and pivot his concentration to football entirely.

His decision to focus on football paid off when the Carolina Panthers, an esteemed name in the NFL, selected him in the fifth round, 152nd overall, during the 2017 NFL draft. However, adversity struck again when he was placed on injured reserve on September 3, 2017, due to a knee injury. Despite this setback, Elder was unstoppable in returning to the field, owing to his unswerving commitment and passion for the sport.

After a tumultuous period that saw Elder being waived during the final roster cuts on August 30, 2019, he found himself signing to the practice squad of the New York Giants on September 2, 2019. A step forward, indeed, Elder was subsequently signed by the Panthers again, off the Giants’ squad, on Nov 12, 2019.

Several shifts in team and city marked Elder’s life through 2021 when he signed with the Detroit Lions on April 1 only to be released on August 31. Incidentally, the Panthers’ practice squad took him in on September 14, 2021. On October 13, 2021, he found himself being signed off by the Washington Football Team, which ended in a re-signing on January 11, 2022.

However, a crucial turning point in his career came in 2024. On March 6, Elder was signed by the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League, opening a new chapter in his professional journey. On August 27 the following year, he re-signed with them, and it is in this team where he currently serves, tackling oncoming adversaries with unparalleled skill and expertise.

Apart from his professional exploits, Elder has also lent his expertise to budding athletes as an assistant varsity football coach at his alma mater, The Ensworth School in Nashville, TN. As he continues to evolve in his professional career, he is equally committed to sharing what he has learned over the years with others, thus, cultivating the next generation of football players. Despite the hardships he encountered along the way, Cornelius Marquis Elder’s journey informs us about the power of resilience in carving a distinct path in a fiercely competitive realm.