Aj Cole Iii

Alfred James Cole III was born on November 27, 1995, in College Park, Georgia. He attended Woodward Academy, where he was a multi-sport athlete, excelling in football, basketball, and soccer. In high school, he was recognized for his talent, earning All-Metro Area honors from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Cole continued his academic and athletic career at North Carolina State University, where he played college football for the NC State Wolfpack from 2015 to 2018. Over his four-year collegiate career, he appeared in 52 games, accumulating 9,288 punting yards, which ranks third in school history. He maintained an average of 42.2 yards per punt, demonstrating consistent performance throughout his time at NC State. His dedication to both his sport and community was acknowledged when he became a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy as a junior and a semifinalist as a senior, an award recognizing exemplary community service alongside athletic and academic achievement. He graduated with a degree in industrial engineering.

Cole embarked on his professional career in 2019 when he signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent after a successful tryout at the team’s rookie mini-camp. He quickly earned a spot on the 53-man roster, surpassing incumbent punter Johnny Townsend. His rookie season saw him set new club records for punting average (46.0 yards), net average (39.4 yards), and punts downed inside the 20-yard line (33). He also boomed a 74-yard punt, which was the third-longest in franchise history. His performance continued to improve, earning him his first Pro Bowl selection in 2021, where he led the NFL with a 50.0-yard average on 64 punts. In the 2023 season, he achieved a career milestone by setting an NFL record for the highest single-game punting average (63.6 yards) against the New York Giants and recorded the longest punt in Raiders history with an 83-yard boot, tied for the fourth-longest in the NFL since 2000. He also threw a 34-yard pass on a fake punt in 2024, becoming the first Raiders punter to complete a pass since 2012.

Cole’s consistent excellence has been recognized with multiple Pro Bowl selections and First-Team All-Pro honors in both 2021 and 2023. In 2025, he signed a four-year, $15.8 million contract extension with the Raiders, making him the highest-paid punter in the NFL, a testament to his value and sustained high-level performance. He serves as a team captain, reflecting his leadership within the organization. Beyond the field, Cole has been actively involved in community initiatives, exemplifying his commitment to giving back. He was nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, recognizing his community service and positive impact. His career totals include 106 games played, 392 punts for 19,077 yards, a gross average of 48.7 yards, and 173 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.