KD Cotton

Position:
Safety
Height:
5-9
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Charlotte, N.C.

2026: Incoming safety … enrolled at Duke in January 2026.

PRIOR TO DUKE: Lettered one season at Weddington under head coach Andy Capone after earning three at West Charlotte under head coach Sam Greiner … rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, ESPN.com and Rivals.com… charted as the No. 49 prospect in North Carolina by 247Sports.com and No. 54 by ESPN.com … two-time All-Charlotte Observer selection … represented North Carolina in the 2025 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas … three-time captain at West Charlotte … helped Weddington to a 9-1 regular season mark and a trip to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) 7A semifinals … scored three touchdowns in the team’s third round playoff win against Lake Norman … guided West Charlotte to the 2024 NCHSAA 3A state championship with a 14-7 victory against Seventy-First, giving the Lions their first title since 1995 … as a junior, booked 77 tackles, five INTs and six PBUs … added 247 rushing yards and 10 TDs to go along with 30 receptions for 449 yards and 10 scores during junior campaign … during sophomore season, handled quarterback duties and contributed on defense in helping West Charlotte to a 9-4 mark and a third round NCHSAA 3A playoff trip … the primary quarterback as a freshman at West Charlotte, completing 51.2 percent of his passes and guiding the Lions to a 7-6 record and third round trip to the NCHSAA 3A playoffs … earned additional varsity letters as a member of the track & field program.

PERSONAL: Son of Son of Kim Cotton … uncle, Nate Clements, was a 12-year NFL cornerback who totaled 812 tackles, 36 interceptions and 22 forced fumbles and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2004 for the Buffalo Bills.