Cory Cotton is best known as one of the five founding members of the incredibly popular YouTube channel, Dude Perfect. Alongside his twin brother, Coby Cotton, and friends Cody Jones, Tyler Toney, and Garrett Hilbert, Cory has built a global entertainment empire based on trick shots, friendly competition, and good-natured humor. This article explores Cory’s journey from Texas A&M University to YouTube stardom and delves into the incredible success of Dude Perfect.
Cory Cotton was born on July 17, 1987, in The Woodlands, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. He attended Texas A&M University with his twin brother and future Dude Perfect co-founders, graduating in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications. While at Texas A&M, the seeds of Dude Perfect were sown. The friends, all former high school basketball players, began filming trick shots and posting them online. Little did they know, this shared passion for sports and entertainment would soon transform their lives.
The Dude Perfect YouTube channel officially launched on March 16, 2009. Their early videos featured impressive basketball trick shots filmed in their backyard. One of their first videos, filmed at Sky Ranch, quickly gained traction, amassing over 18 million views. The group pledged to sponsor a child through Compassion International for every 100,000 views the video received, demonstrating their commitment to giving back.
Dude Perfect’s content quickly evolved beyond basketball trick shots. They began incorporating a variety of sports, creating unique games and challenges with their own set of rules. Their popular “Stereotypes” series features short comedic skits, while “Overtime,” a talk show parody launched in 2018, has gained a dedicated following. This diverse content has helped Dude Perfect attract a broad audience and solidify their place as YouTube giants.
The channel’s success has earned them numerous accolades, including several Guinness World Records. They hold the record for the longest basketball shot, set in 2009, and in 2018, they broke records for the longest barefoot lego walk and the longest pea blow in one breath during their “Overtime” show. Dude Perfect is currently the 6th most-subscribed channel on YouTube, and the most subscribed sports channel and most subscribed channel in the United States.
Beyond YouTube, Dude Perfect has expanded their brand into mobile gaming, with titles like “Dude Perfect,” “Dude Perfect 2,” “Endless Ducker,” and “That’s Lit.” They also transitioned to television with “The Dude Perfect Show,” which aired on CMT in 2016 and Nickelodeon for its second season.
On a personal note, Cory Cotton is married to Amy Cotton. His twin brother, Coby, remains an integral part of the Dude Perfect team.
Cory Cotton’s journey, along with the rest of the Dude Perfect crew, is a testament to the power of passion, creativity, and teamwork. From humble beginnings in Texas to international recognition, Dude Perfect continues to entertain and inspire millions with their unique blend of sports, comedy, and positive energy. Their story underscores how pursuing a shared passion can lead to extraordinary achievements.