Everything is possible at Texas A&M: Just ask Dude Perfect

And throughout all their success, these five Texas A&M University former students — Tyler Toney ‘11, Garrett Hilbert ‘10, Cody Jones ‘10, and twins Coby and Cory Cotton ’11 — have stayed true to themselves and their goal of creating a brand based on sports, family, fun and competition. 

Long Ago, In a Backyard in College Station

In 2009, before they were internet sensations, the members of Dude Perfect were just Texas A&M students sitting around in their backyard. One day, Toney bet Hilbert that he could make a seemingly impossible basketball hook shot from behind a tree. When Toney successfully made the shot and some progressively more difficult ones, they decided to film it and put it on YouTube to prove it.

That now-famous video, “Backyard Edition,” quickly went viral and led them to create more elaborate trick shots, ultimately launching their massive online career. Their origin story even became the subject of ESPN’s revered 30 for 30 series with Dude Perfect: A Very Long Shot, which premiered on ESPN and ESPN+ in August 2024.

That same year, Dude Perfect won a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Interactive Experience, further cementing their creative legitimacy.

Not bad for five guys who loved hanging out and playing sports in between classes.

From Backyard Trick Shots to World Records

Over the years, Dude Perfect has amassed more than 30 official Guinness World Records, including the highest basketball shot — from 856 feet atop Strat Tower in Las Vegas in 2023 — and others involving blindfolded, head-mounted and obstacle-strewn trick shots.

The group’s journey shifted dramatically in April 2024, when they closed a $100+ million investment with Highmount Capital, signaling their elevation to a fully realized media enterprise. With that investment, the group is branching into toys, gaming, outdoors content, live events and even a theme-park–style fan experience — things beyond anything most creators attempt. They even have a movie coming out on Sept. 26, “Dude Perfect: The Hero Tour.” And they still have their YouTube channel, which now has over 60 million followers.

In 2025, they launched the first annual Trick Shot World Championship, inviting global creators to compete — underscoring their leadership in the trick-shot genre.

As the company expanded, Dude Perfect needed someone to help steer the company into its next phase. So, the group brought on former NBA executive Andrew Yaffe as CEO, built out a C-suite and expanded the team significantly.

To house the growing team, Dude Perfect opened its latest headquarters — DPHQ3 — in Frisco, Texas. And this is no ordinary office. It boasts a regulation basketball court, a pickleball court, a putting green, goalposts and simulator zones. There’s even a wall mural showing off their highest basketball shots, including their first at Kyle Field (150 feet) and the Strat Tower.

Staying True to Their Mission

Over the past 16 years, the members of Dude Perfect have gone from scrappy content creators to a behemoth in sports entertainment. But despite all their success, they have retained their integrity and have not wavered from their mission.

Yaffe, on a recent episode of the POWERS podcast, said that members of Dude Perfect have built their brand by not straying from their core mission “to be the most trusted brand in family entertainment.” That affects decisions concerning other brands they work with, the sponsorships they take and the content they create. 

Yaffe said that since he was hired, he’s been contacted by hundreds of parents who tell him that they love Dude Perfect because they know that when their kids sit down and watch their content, they can trust what comes out of their channel.

Q&A with Two Dudes

The members of Dude Perfect have crazy schedules, but Hilbert and Coby Cotton took a few minutes to chat about their experiences at Texas A&M, what’s new with Dude Perfect and how Texas A&M has impacted their lives.

What made you decide to attend Texas A&M?

Cotton: A big part of my decision to attend Texas A&M came from seeing how many people I knew had such a great experience there. Hearing their stories about the community, the traditions and the opportunities on campus really stood out to me. It seemed like a place where people felt connected and supported, and that made me excited to be part of it too.

Hilbert: My first real introduction to Texas A&M came when I went to a football game with my brother in 10th grade. The atmosphere was electric — the energy in the stadium, the traditions and the way everyone came together felt completely different from anything I had experienced before. That day really stuck with me, and it planted the idea that A&M was where I needed to be.

You all became close friends while living together in college, attending the same church and playing sports — especially basketball — regularly, ultimately launching Dude Perfect in 2009. What made your friendship grow?

Cotton: Our friendship really grew out of the things we loved doing together. We all had shared interests and a real love for competing, which naturally led to spending a lot of time together (especially playing intramural sports). Beyond that, our shared faith gave us a deeper connection and a strong foundation of friendship. All of those experiences brought us closer as friends and eventually set the stage for launching Dude Perfect in 2009.

What other friendships or connections did you make while at Texas A&M that stand out to you?

Cotton: Texas A&M has continued to play a big role in our story, even beyond our time as students. Over the years, we’ve hired a number of people from A&M, and it’s been really special to keep that connection going. In fact, our very first employee came straight out of 12th Man Productions, which felt like a perfect fit given how much that program emphasizes creativity, teamwork and excellence. Those kinds of connections have been invaluable and have made the A&M network an important part of Dude Perfect’s journey.

Hilbert: One of the biggest connections that stands out is simply the Aggie Network itself. The support and sense of family that comes with being part of that community is really unique. No matter where you go, there always seems to be another Aggie ready to connect, encourage or lend a hand. That network has opened doors and created opportunities that have been really meaningful for us.

What is your favorite memory of Texas A&M?

Cotton: One memory that I’ll never forget was standing at the top of Kyle Field with Johnny Manziel. He made that famous throw from up there, and on just his second attempt, he nailed it. Watching that moment unfold in such an iconic setting was surreal — it captured the energy and excitement of A&M during that time and made for a memory I’ll always carry with me.

Hilbert: Camping out with friends to get into Reed Arena for basketball games. The buildup, the energy and just hanging out together made those moments unforgettable. The one that really stands out was the Texas game in 2007 — when we packed the arena and absolutely smacked them. The atmosphere that night was electric.

What is your favorite Texas A&M tradition?

Cotton: I’d have to say the Aggie Ring. It’s such a cool tradition, and it carries so much meaning. What’s really amazing is how it connects you to people, no matter where you are. We’ve traveled all over the world, and time and time again, we’ll spot someone wearing an Aggie Ring — it immediately sparks a conversation and a sense of connection. It’s a reminder of just how strong and far-reaching the Aggie Network really is.

Hilbert: Muster has always stood out to me as such a powerful tradition. It’s more than just an event — it’s a moment where the entire Aggie Family comes together to honor and remember those who have passed. The mix of reflection, respect and unity is something really unique to A&M, and it captures the heart of what it means to be part of the Aggie community.

How did Texas A&M prepare you for the success you have today?

Cotton: Texas A&M is one of the all-time great schools for networking. Beyond the academics, it really teaches you how to build relationships and communicate effectively with all kinds of people. Those skills. — forming connections, collaborating and presenting yourself — have been invaluable in everything we’ve done with Dude Perfect. A&M didn’t just prepare us for a career; it prepared us to work with people, lead teams and grow ideas into something bigger than ourselves.

Hilbert: Texas A&M provided a great balance of strong academics and an incredible culture. Being surrounded by people who are driven, supportive and value community really prepares you for life beyond college. It gives you a solid foundation — not just in knowledge, but in character, relationships and the skills you need to navigate any challenge.

Why should people in the state of Texas, nationally and beyond care about what is happening in Aggieland?

Hilbert: Aggieland really sets the standard for the college experience. From the strong sense of community and traditions to the leadership and service opportunities, it’s a place where students are challenged to grow academically, personally and socially.

What are the three words that come to mind when you think of Texas A&M?

Hilbert: Culture, tradition and excellence.

What’s next for Dude Perfect? From your new headquarters to the evolution of tricks and content shared, what might be coming for avid fans that you can share?

Hilbert: What’s next for Dude Perfect is all about connecting with our fans in new and exciting ways. Our DP Live experiences will give people the chance to really interact with the brand — seeing it, feeling it and being part of it in person. We want to create moments where fans can step inside the world of Dude Perfect and experience the energy, creativity and fun firsthand.

What does the future look like for Dude Perfect?

Hilbert: The future for Dude Perfect is really about serving families with the most trusted entertainment on earth. We want to continue reaching people in whatever medium makes sense — whether that’s content, live experiences, products or new opportunities we haven’t even imagined yet.

How are you all thinking about legacy? What does that look like for you all?

Hilbert: We feel like we’ve already crossed the longevity threshold, but when it comes to legacy, our focus is on becoming a brand that’s synonymous with trust. Much like Texas A&M, where culture and integrity immediately come to mind, we want that same reputation for Dude Perfect. Everything we create — every piece of content, every experience — is approached with excellence, because we want our fans to know they can count on us to deliver quality and consistency for years to come.

From a backyard in College Station to a Sports Emmy, a high-profile ESPN documentary, record-shattering stunts and a nine-figure capital raise, these five Aggies have transformed a simple challenge into a generational media legacy.