As the signings continue to roll in for NFL Free Agency, a former MEAC Defensive Player of the Year has found a new home with America’s Team.
South Carolina State product Cobie Durant (known in college as Decobie Durant) has signed a one-year deal worth $5.5 million with the Dallas Cowboys.
He is now the third of five former HBCU players selected in the 2022 NFL Draft to sign with a new team this offseason, following Bryan Cook (Cincinnati Bengals) and Joshua Williams (Tennessee Titans).
In addition, he joins fellow HBCU star James Houston, who signed with the Dallas Cowboys last offseason, playing all 17 games with the team in 2025.
Durant comes to the Cowboys after a four-year stint with the Los Angeles Rams, who took him in the fourth round of the 2022 Draft.
As a rookie, he led the NFL with 151 return yards on three interceptions, including an 85-yard pick-six against the Denver Broncos.
After two years of drifting in and out of the starting lineup, Durant established himself as one of the Rams’ top corners in his 2025 campaign.
He led the team with six interceptions (including playoffs), returning one for a touchdown, while also snagging a fumble recovery.
Durant recorded a playoff-leading three interceptions in the Rams’ run to the NFC Championship game, including two in their Divisional Round win over the Chicago Bears.
Before embarking on a career in the NFL, Durant starred in the South Carolina State secondary from 2018 to 2021, being named to a pair of All-MEAC teams.
This included a breakout campaign in his final year in which he was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, helping lead the Bulldogs to a Celebration Bowl win over Jackson State.
The former Bulldog led the conference with 15 passes defended, including three interceptions, adding 38 total tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss.
