Jack Cornell

John Leslie Cornell Jr. (born June 4, 1989) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive guard in the National Football League (NFL). Cornell originally signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2012. Cornell played college football at Illinois. Cornell is currently head coach of the Quincy Notre Dame Raiders.

In high school, Cornell was ranked the 12th prospect in the state of Illinois by Rivals.com and was nationally ranked as the 37th prospect at the offensive tackle position. Cornell was a 2006 Max-Enfinger All-American at high school. Cornell was a two-time Chicago Tribune All-state as both Junior and Senior.

College career

Cornell played college football at the University of Illinois. Cornell played 29 games at offensive guard for the Illinois Fighting Illini.

In his senior year, he was named a senior team captain for the season. Cornell was a recipient of Illinois Fighting Illini's Red Orange Award. He played and started 13 games at offensive guard for the season. On September 24, 2011, he helped anchored the Illinois Fighting Illini offense record a total of 463 yards against Western Michigan.

Professional career

Baltimore Ravens

On April 28, 2012, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent. On August 31, 2012, he was released on the day of roster cuts. On September 1, 2012, he was re-signed to join the practice squad. On August 25, 2013, he was waived by the Ravens.

Oakland Raiders The Raiders signed Cornell to their practice squad on September 11, 2013 and promoted him to their active roster on October 5 and was waived 2 days later on October 7, 2013 and re-signed to the practice squad on Oct. 9. On October 26, Cornell was promoted again to the active roster and was waived once more 2 days later on October 28, 2013. He was re-signed to the practice squad on October 30, 2013. On November 9, 2013 Cornell was signed again and was waived two days later on November 11, 2013. Once again he was re-signed to the practice squad on November 13, 2013.

Coaching career

Culver-Stockton College Cornell began his college coaching career in 2017 as the offensive line coach for Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri.

Following his career at Culver-Stockton, he accepted a position at his high school alma mater Quincy Notre Dame as the head football coach.

Suspension and community support

On September 3, 2025, Jack Cornell, head football coach at Quincy Notre Dame High School, was suspended for one game due to "poor judgment exercised in a pre-game team meeting" on August 29, 2025. During the suspension, he was barred from football-related activities but continued his duties as a physical education teacher. Assistant coach Ben Morrison served as interim head coach for the game against Alton-Marquette.

Despite this incident, Cornell was inducted into the Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame in 2023, recognizing his contributions to the school's athletic programs. Cornell is also the founder and camp director of the I-72 Do or Die Prospect Showcase, a football camp aimed at developing local talent.