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Cody Schrader has had one of the most inspirational journeys of any college football player this season.
On Friday, ahead of Missouri’s final game of the season against Arkansas, CBS Sports released a video sharing Schrader’s journey to being a star for the Tigers.
From Division II Truman State to leading the SEC in rushing at @MizzouFootball.@codyschrader_7's journey to stardom for the Tigers is all rooted in work ethic and a strong family foundation. pic.twitter.com/rWyfhwpFea
— CBS Sports College Football ? (@CBSSportsCFB) November 24, 2023
Schrader had no Division-I offers out of high school. He started his career at Division-II Truman State.
“My football journey has definitely been a roller coaster of emotions,” Schrader said. “I’ve been not highly recruited out of high school. It was not what I expected, especially with some of the stats that I’ve had.”
His coach at Truman State, Gregg Nesbitt, knew he was destined for a bigger role than he had at Truman State.
“My sense was he was never happy at this level,” Nesbitt said. “It was just his heart telling him and his soul telling him, ‘I should be doing this at a different level.'”
Schrader earned a walk-on spot at Missouri after his time at Truman. Before long, Schrader had earned the starting spot at running back. For Schrader, his work ethic comes from his dad.
“My work ethic definitely came from my family and my dad,” Schrader said. “He works 14, 15 hours a day, one of those blue-collar guys and continues to do that 7 days a week. And I get to continue playing football, I get to live in this kind of fantasy world. Just seeing that as a foundation and as a backbone, it motivates me every single day.”
It’s been a long journey for Schrader, but one that he is grateful for. He knows his long journey has molded him into the player he is today.
“If I got a Division-I offer out of high school, I don’t think I would be the player I am today,” Schrader said. “Looking back at my journey this whole time, I think it was meant to work out this way.”
