Gurode played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes, earning consensus All-American honors.

In his final three seasons, Gurode spent one year each with the Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, and Oakland Raiders.

[3][4] As a senior, USA Today, PrepStar and SuperPrep selected him as an honorable mention high school All-America.

He was also named to the Houston Chronicle Top 100 List and made the Austin American-Statesman "Fab 55" team.

He received the John Mack Award, as selected by the coaches for being Colorado's most outstanding offensive player and was also selected honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference honors while helping the Buffaloes to a 7–5 record and a win over the Boston College Eagles in the Insight.com Bowl.

He earned a degree in ethnic studies from the University of Colorado, where he was a member of the school's "Academic Starters" team.

[7] Gurode initially projected as a guard and was ranked the best available in the 2002 NFL draft, along with Kendall Simmons.

[15] Gurode also became part of history as the starting center on the Cowboys offensive line that helped Emmitt Smith eclipse Walter Payton as the NFL's all-time leading rusher, playing against the Seattle Seahawks on October 27.

[33] He had offseason left knee surgery and missed the 2011 season training camp and three out of four preseason games.

With the emergence of second-year player Phil Costa, he was released after the preseason following failed negotiations regarding a restructured contract.

[34] Gurode reportedly visited the New England Patriots before signing a 1-year, $3 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens on September 4, 2011.