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Cody Schrader reflects on journey from D2 football to starring at Mizzou: ‘It definitely hasn’t sunk in yet’
By Sydney Hunte
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Cody Schrader has had an interesting path to Missouri. The St. Louis native starred at Lutheran South but failed to garner much attention on the recruiting trail.
“I think I had the stats in high school. I had all the numbers that you can think of, but maybe I didn’t pass the eye test,” he said on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday.
Schrader recalls how his lone Division 1 offer was withdrawn shortly before he was scheduled to take an official visit since the program had gained a commitment from a running back. That led to his lone offer from Division 2 Truman State and eventually joining the Mizzou roster as a walk-on ahead in Jan. 2022.
Fast forward to 2023, and Schrader leads the SEC in rushing yards (1,124) and is tied for 3rd in rushing touchdowns (11). He told McAfee that he hopes he can serve as an inspiration to other athletes to stay focused and work hard for their opportunities.
“We’re truly building something special,” he said, with the Tigers sitting at 8-2 and No. 9 in the College Football Playoff rankings as they seek a New Year’s 6 berth. “It definitely hasn’t sunk in yet. I don’t think it will until possibly after the season…
“My mindset, I think, is to hit people in the mouth for 4 quarters and one of us is gonna fold … I’m not ever gonna fold, so see if they can take it for 4 quarters,” he added.
"My one division one offer got pulled right before my official visit & then Truman State offered me a scholarship..
I went there & then eventually walked on at Mizzou..
My mindset is to hit people in the mouth for four quarters & I'm never gonna fold"@codyschrader_7 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/bKBtEpbFWo
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 16, 2023
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
