Cota began his college footballatUCLA. During his freshman year in 2018, he appeared in all 12 games, being one of only to freshmen on the offense to do so, and had 13 receptions for 168 yards. During his sophomore year in 2019, he played in all 12 games, making 10 starts, and had 25 receptions for 350 yards and three touchdowns. He had the second-highest yards-per-reception average on the team with 14.0. During his junior year in 2020 he played in all seven games, making five starts, and had 11 receptions for 79 yards and two touchdowns in a season that was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During his senior year in 2021 he played in all 12 games, making 10 starts, and had 18 receptions for 286 yards and one touchdown. He placed second in yards per catch on the team, gaining an average of 15.9 yards per reception.[1]
On February 18, 2022, Cota announced he was transferring to Oregon, the same college his father Chad Cota attended. He finished his career at UCLA with 67 receptions for 883 yards and six touchdowns.[2] During his fifth-year senior year in 2022 he played in 10 of Oregon's 13 games, making nine starts, and had 36 receptions for 497 yards, and a career-high three touchdowns. He played the first eight games of the season, before getting injured on October 29, 2022, in a game against California. As a result, he missed the next three games due to injury. At the time of his injury he was the team's second-leading receiver in yards with 313, trailing only Troy Franklin.[3] Following the season he was named an All-Pac-12 Conference honorable mention.[4] He finished his college career with 103 receptions for 1,380 yards and nine touchdowns in 53 games.[1]
On May 12, 2023, the Detroit Lions signed Cota to a three-year, $2.71 million contract as an undrafted free agent.[7][8] During his preseason debut on August 11, 2023, in a game against the New York Giants, he led the team with four receptions on seven targets for 60 yards.[9][10] He was waived on August 29, 2023.[11]
On December 12, 2023, the Houston Texans signed Cota to their practice squad, joining him with his cousin, Brady Breeze.[14] He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent when his practice squad contract expired.[15]
On January 23, 2024, Cota signed a reserve/future contract with the New York Giants.[16] On June 18, 2024, Cota was placed on injured reserve after suffering a fractured collarbone during minicamp.[17]
