| Number | 46 |
|---|---|
| Current team | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Position | Linebacker |
| Height | 6 ft |
| Height in | 1 |
| Weight lb | 223 |
| High school | The Bolles (Jacksonville, Florida) |
| College | NC State (2021–2025) |
| Undraftedyear | 2026 |
| Pastteams |
|
| Status | Active |
| Highlights | |
| Statleague | NFL |
| Statlabel 1 | Total tackles |
| Statlabel 2 | Sacks |
| Statlabel 3 | Forced fumbles |
| Statlabel 4 | Fumble recoveries |
| Statlabel 5 | Pass deflections |
| Statlabel 6 | Interceptions |
| Statlabel 7 | Interception yards |
| Statlabel 8 | Defensive touchdowns |
Caden Fordham is an American professional football linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack and he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Buccaneers in 2026.
Early life
Fordham attended The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida. Coming out of high school, he was rated as a three-star recruit and committed to play college football for the NC State Wolfpack over offers from other schools such as Louisville, Miami, Wake Forest, and Georgia Tech.[1]
College career
In his first two seasons from 2021 to 2022, Fordham played in 16 games, totaling eight tackles.[2] In the 2023 season, he appeared in all 13 games, notching 53 tackles with four being for a loss and a pass deflection.[3] During the 2024 season, Fordham played in six games before suffering a season-ending knee injury, where he recorded 48 tackles, a sack, two pass deflections, and a fumble recovery.[4][5] In week 11 of the 2025 season, he totaled 15 tackles and the game-sealing interception in an upset win over Georgia Tech.[6] In week 13, Fordham recorded 15 tackles in a victory versus Florida State.[7] In the regular season finale, he tallied 12 tackles and a sack in a win against rival North Carolina.[8] In the 2025 Gasparilla Bowl, Fordham notched 13 tackles with one and a half going for a loss and an interception, and was named the bowl's MVP.[9] He finished the 2025 season totaling 143 tackles with 10.5 being for a loss, three and a half sacks, three pass deflections, two interceptions, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble, earning first-team all-ACC and second-team All-American honors by the Sporting News.[10]
Professional career
Fordham signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2026.[11]
Personal life
Fordham is the son of former NFL offensive tackle Todd Fordham.[12]
References
- ^ Friedlander, Brett (9 June 2020). "Three-Star LB Caden Fordham Commits to State". NC State Wolfpack on SI. SI.com. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ^ Clark, Michael. "NC State LB Caden Fordham named Third-Team All-American by AP". 247Sports. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ^ Avila, Alejandro. "NC State LB Caden Fordham Gets The Boot For Targeting Against Western Carolina". OutKick. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ^ Watson-Fisher, Jadyn. "NC State football coach Dave Doeren on Caden Fordham’s injury status, UNC’s Tylee Craft". Raleigh News & Observer. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ^ Watson-Fisher, Jadyn. "Ready for a redemption tour, key NC State defender cleared for 2025 season". Raleigh News & Observer. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ^ Baxley, Rodd (2 November 2025). "What N.C. State football did for the first time this season in upset win vs Georgia Tech". The Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ^ Sennett, Tucker. "Caden Fordham Earns Even More National Recognition". NC State Wolfpack on SI. SI.com. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ^ Sennett, Tucker. "Wolfpack Linebacker Caden Fordham Finishes Regular Season With Rivalry Win". NC State Wolfpack on SI. SI.com. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ^ Brockway, Kevin (19 December 2025). "Fordham's MVP performance caps big day for NC State in Gasparilla Bowl". The Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ^ Watson-Fisher, Jadyn. "NC State LB gets storybook ending with bowl win, reflects on Wolfpack career". Raleigh News & Observer. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
- ^ Smith, Scott (May 8, 2026). "Bucs Add 14 More Rookies After 2026 Draft". Buccaneers.com
- ^ Sennett, Tucker. "Three Wolfpack Players With NFL Legacy". NC State Wolfpack on SI. SI.com. Retrieved 23 December 2025.