Terrence Cody
Encyclopedia
Terrence Bernard Cody, Jr. (born June 28, 1988) is an American football
nose tackle for the Baltimore Ravens
of the National Football League
. He was selected by the Ravens in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft
out of the University of Alabama
, where he was given the nickname "Mount Cody" for his gargantuan, 360-pound frame.
Originally from Fort Myers, Florida
, Cody spent two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
, where he helped the Bulldogs to an unbeaten season in 2007. Surprisingly nimble even at a peak weight of more than 400 pounds (181.4 kg), Cody drew the attention of major Division I programs. He finished his collegiate career at Alabama, where he earned consensus All-American
honors consecutive times while anchoring one of college football
's best defenses during the 2008
and 2009
seasons.
During his senior season with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2009 he was voted to the AP All-America first-team and helped lead the Tide to an undefeated 14-0 season including a victory in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game
.
, Cody attended Riverdale High School
. As a child, he wore size-10 shoes by the age of eight and was never eligible for the Pop Warner youth leagues
because he was always over the weight limit. Already 6 in 2 in (1.88 m) and 275 lb (125 kg) as a ninth-grader, Cody began playing high school football
and displayed extraordinary athleticism, causing his high school coach, Scott Jones, to predict "he could be making $2 million playing in the NFL" at some point. He played only two years of varsity football: as a freshman and then as a senior. He struggled academically, had to help take care of his seven younger siblings, and ended up “running with the wrong crowd”.
After sitting out his sophomore and junior seasons, Cody dominated as a senior. In a game against North Fort Myers
, he had a memorable collision with star running back Noel Devine
. “Terrence hit and spun Noel Devine so hard that [Devine] was on the sideline puking,” coach Jones said.
Cody was not ranked among the nation's elite football prospects in 2006 by any recruiting service. Nonetheless he was offered athletic scholarship
s by the University of Miami
and the University of South Florida
, but could not qualify academically. Cody eventually signed with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
.
as a nose tackle. As a freshman he recorded 48 tackles with 2.5 sacks
and an interception. In his sophomore year, he added 31 tackles and 3.5 sacks while anchoring a Bulldog defense that ranked number one in the state in rushing defense and total defense. Mississippi Gulf Coast finished the season with an 12–0 season record and a NJCAA
Co-National Championship. Cody was named to the NJCAA All-American first team. He also earned a three-star rating by Rivals.com
and was listed as the 47th-best junior college player in the country.
Despite his dominance, he had trouble drawing scholarship offers, as his weight of 410 pounds (186 kg) scared off many teams. “A lot of people are just wary of guys that big,” Mississippi Gulf Coast coach Steve Campbell
said. “You know when people say that if things seem too good to be true that they usually are. A big guy like that who's that athletic, you just don't believe what you're seeing.” Particularly noted for his lower body strength, Cody had a squat
max of 660 pounds (299.4 kg) in junior college.
However, after Cody had his weight down to 385 lb (174.6 kg), a number of schools offered him scholarships, including Tennessee
, Ole Miss
, and Florida State
. He was heavily recruited particularly by Alabama Crimson Tide
head coach Nick Saban
, who was in need of a true nose tackle for his 3–4 defense. Cody recalls Saban telling him, "We need a body like yours in the middle, to stop the run, to change the rhythm of the game." Cody committed to the Crimson Tide on November 29, 2007.
of the Clemson Tigers
. He and the rest of the defense also held the Tigers, which included stud running backs James Davis
and C. J. Spiller
, to zero net rushing yards. With his presence in the middle of the Crimson Tide defensive line, Cody earned himself the nickname of “Mount Cody.” By mid-season he was already considered the No. 1 nose tackle prospect for the 2009 NFL Draft
by league scouts.
Against Arkansas
, Cody dominated Razorbacks center Jonathan Luigs
—the 2007 Rimington Trophy winner—and helped the Crimson Tide to a 49–14 win. In a memorable play on a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line late in the first half, Cody blasted past Luigs and left guard Wade Grayson to grab running back Michael Smith before he could reach the end zone. In Alabama's rout over Georgia
at Sanford Stadium
, Cody was instrumental in holding Doak Walker award
candidate Knowshon Moreno
to just 34 yards rushing. In the seventh game of the season against Ole Miss
, he received a knee injury during the third quarter which sidelined him for two weeks.
In the annual Iron Bowl
versus rival Auburn
, Cody and teammate Bobby Greenwood sacked quarterback Kodi Burns
, giving Cody his first half-sack of the season. He also recovered a fumble, which set up an Alabama touchdown. In the 2008 SEC Championship Game
versus Florida
, Cody recorded three tackles in a 31–20 loss. In the loss, the Crimson Tide allowed 142 yards rushing—the second most in the 2008 season
. In the season finale
, he recorded one assisted tackle, while holding the Utah Utes
to 13 yards rushing. However, Alabama went on to lose the game 31–17, finishing the season 12–2.
Alabama′s rush defense considerably improved in 2008. After giving up 128.4 rushing yards a game in 2007, the Crimson Tide only allowed 78.8 yards per game in 2008. “As far as one guy who has changed our team more than any, you’d have to go with Terrence,” offensive lineman Mike Johnson said. Cody was subsequently given the team’s Defensive Achievement Award for a newcomer who has played a critical role in the effectiveness of his unit.
Despite being commonly regarded as a top prospect, Cody decided to skip the 2009 NFL Draft
. On Christmas Day 2008 an "announcement" on his Facebook
page said that he was leaving early, but turned out to be a joke by his girlfriend.
Cody dropped about 10 pounds and worked on his conditioning, hoping to keep himself in the game on third-down passing situations. He was often replaced by Josh Chapman on passing downs in 2008. Nick Saban stated Cody needed to reduce his weight to 340 lbs in order to become an every-down player and pass-rusher; he reported for fall practice at 354 lbs, set a goal to reach 345 lbs by the season opener, and eventually dropped his weight to 349 lbs. Only a couple of days before the first game, Cody and a few of his teammates were sidelined with flu-like symptoms. Cody returned after a three-day absence.
Cody was named to the 2009 Lombardi Award
, Lott Trophy
, and Outland Trophy
pre-season watch lists. Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 1 defensive tackle in college football
in 2009. On October 14, 2009, Cody and fellow teammate Rolando McClain were announced as two of the twelve finalists for the 2009 Lombardi Award. Cody was also named to The Sporting News
and CBS Sports
midseason college football All-American teams.
In a game against Tennessee
on October 24, Cody blocked his first two field goal
s of his career, including a 44-yard attempt in the game's final seconds, to secure Alabama's 12–10 win. According to Yahoo! Sports national columnist Dan Wetzel, Cody earned himself Heisman Trophy
consideration with his performance against the Volunteers. A couple of weeks later, Mike Hiserman of the Los Angeles Times
also called for Heisman consideration for Cody, describing him as "the best player on what might be college football's top defense."
On November 10, Cody was named one of four finalists for the Lombardi Award, alongside Jerry Hughes
, Gerald McCoy
and Ndamukong Suh
. He was the seventh Crimson Tide player to be named a finalist and the second in a row, joining offensive tackle Andre Smith, who was a finalist for the award in 2008. Former All-American linebacker Cornelius Bennett
was the only Alabama player to win the Lombardi Award, capturing the honor in 1986. In the end, Nebraska's
Ndamukong Suh
won the award. On November 19, Cody joined Pat Angerer
, Eric Berry
, Jerry Hughes and Ndamukong Suh as the five finalists for the 2009 Nagurski Trophy, but was again beat out by Suh for the award. On November 23, Cody, Brandon Spikes
and Suh were announced as the three finalists for the 2009 Bednarik Award, which was eventually won by Suh as well.
In his two seasons at Alabama, Cody helped the Crimson Tide to lead the Southeastern Conference
in rushing defense, allowing opponents a rushing average of only 78.8 and 78.1 yards per game in 2008 and 2009, respectively. No individual player reached the 100-yard rushing mark against the Crimson Tide in those two seasons; Anthony Dixon
of Mississippi State
came closest with 81 yards in 2009. Cody's presence improved Alabama's pass rush despite his not being an effective pass rusher himself. Wrote Michael Casagrande: "The power that comes with his size typically forces opposing lines to focus two players on blocking him, thus creating favorable rushing lanes for unblocked linebackers."
Prior to the 2010 BCS National Championship Game
, Cody drew awestruck praise from Texas players and coaches. "They call him Mount Cody. Mount Cody is for a reason. He plays like he’s 450 pounds. He can move like he’s Sergio Kindle
," said Longhorns guard Charlie Tanner. Alabama's defense held Texas to 81 yards rushing—more than 70 yards below their season average—on 28 attempts, and helped the Crimson Tide to their first national title since 1992.
Along with Crimson Tide teammates Javier Arenas
, Mike Johnson
, Leigh Tiffin
, and Colin Peek
, Cody participated in the 2010 Senior Bowl
on January 30, 2010. In the Senior Bowl weigh-in at the Mobile Convention Center, Cody tipped the scales at 370 pounds, which hurt his draft status according to NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock.
! rowspan=2|Year !! rowspan=2|GP–GS !! colspan=4|Tackles !! Sacks !! colspan=4|Pass Defense !! colspan=2|Fumbles !! Blocked>
> 16
23
4.5–14
0.5–5
0–0
0
0
2
2–0
1
0
> 16
28
6.0–11
0–0
0–0
1
1
3
0–0
0
2
! 19 !! 32 !! 51 !! 10.5–25 !! 0.5–5 !! 0–0 !! 1 !! 1 !! 5 !! 2–0 !! 1 !! 2>
and Shaun Rogers, Cody was considered one of the rare two-gap nose tackles that NFL teams covet for their 3–4 defenses. Many NFL experts therefore projected Cody to be selected in the first-round of the 2010 NFL Draft
. One of the teams interested in Cody was rumored to be his near-hometown Miami Dolphins
, who lost their veteran nose tackle Jason Ferguson
to injury during the 2009 season
.
Some pro scouts, however, were concerned about Cody's weight and said he needed to reduce it to 340 lbs in order to be an effective NFL player. They questioned whether he had the stamina to be a three-down player, or the quickness to be an effective pass rusher, at his college weight of about 360 lbs. ESPN′s K. C. Joyner analyzed Cody's relative playing time in a four-game SEC
stretch in October 2009 (at Kentucky
, at Mississippi
, vs. South Carolina
, vs. Tennessee
), and found that Cody was in the Alabama defensive lineup on only 122 of 281 plays. Joyner also discovered that during that stretch Cody drew an impressively high amount of double-teams: 63.6 percent, compared to NFL player Albert Haynesworth
's 2007
double-team mark of 51.3 percent.
At the 2010 Senior Bowl
, Cody disappointed a lot of NFL scouts when he weighed in at 370 lbs, 16 lbs above his official weight according to the 2009 Alabama media guide. In the game, however, Cody "moved pretty well for a 370-pound behemoth" and used "his hands well to create a little space to get penetration". He finished with 1.5 tackles for loss. At the NFL combine, Cody weighed in at 354 lbs pounds, but according to Mike Mayock
he was still not worthy of a first-round pick. Cody worked out at API in Pensacola, Florida
, along with Sam Bradford
, Jason Worilds
, and former Alabama teammates Mike Johnson and Roy Upchurch. He made pre-draft visits to the Baltimore Ravens
, the New York Jets
, the San Diego Chargers
, and the Kansas City Chiefs
.
At the NFL Combine, Cody ran a 5.62 sec 40-yard dash, the slowest by an eventually drafted defensive tackle since Corey Swinson
, a seventh round pick in the 1995 NFL Draft
. Cody was selected in the 2nd round (57th overall) by the Baltimore Ravens
. He was the highest picked Alabama Crimson Tide defensive tackle since Cornelius Griffin
was drafted 42nd overall by the New York Giants
in the 2000 NFL Draft
.
Cedric Benson
rushed for 120 yards on October 11, 2009. Regarded by Ravens director of player personnel Eric DeCosta
as a first-round prospect "from an ability standpoint," Cody is expected to compete against Kelly Gregg
for the starting nose tackle spot in . The combination of Cody and 345-pound Haloti Ngata
gives Baltimore the AFC North’s heaviest interior line, reminiscent of Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa
on the 2000–2001 Ravens teams.
Cody signed a four-year, $3.385 million maximum value contract with the Ravens on July 26, 2010. In training camp at McDaniel College
, Cody—along with veteran cornerback Walt Harris—failed his conditioning test for the Ravens, and was thus placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. He eventually passed the conditioning test on his third try, allowing him to go to training camp for the Ravens.
In his unofficial NFL debut, a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers
, Cody had a solid performance, finishing with five tackles (four solo). His most impressive play came in the first half, when he tackled DeAngelo Williams
with one arm for a loss while holding off Panthers center Ryan Kalil
with the other. On November 21, he made his first official start, debuting against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium
. Unlike his preseason performance, he was criticized for his poor performance from fans and head coach John Harbaugh. During a play, the Panthers offensive lineman pushed Cody out of the way, allowing Mike Goodson
to have a 45-yard run. Cody finished the game without any tackles, as the Ravens defense allowed 120 rushing yards.
In his two years at Alabama, Cody became the Tide's most popular player because of his outsized personality and body. Says quarterback Greg McElroy
: "He's an enjoyable person to have on our team, have in the locker room, and (he) has great charisma. He has fun when he plays the game, and that's a big reason why he's so popular."
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
nose tackle for the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was selected by the Ravens in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft
2010 NFL Draft
The 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
out of the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
, where he was given the nickname "Mount Cody" for his gargantuan, 360-pound frame.
Originally from Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 62,298 in the 2010 census, a 29.23 percent increase over the 2000 figure....
, Cody spent two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College consists of four campuses and four centers: the main campus, located in Perkinston, Mississippi; the Jackson County Campus, in Gautier; the Jefferson Davis Campus, in Gulfport; the Community Campus, a non-traditional campus without walls; the George County...
, where he helped the Bulldogs to an unbeaten season in 2007. Surprisingly nimble even at a peak weight of more than 400 pounds (181.4 kg), Cody drew the attention of major Division I programs. He finished his collegiate career at Alabama, where he earned consensus All-American
College Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
honors consecutive times while anchoring one of college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
's best defenses during the 2008
2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 28, 2008, progressing through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 8, 2009, where the #2...
and 2009
2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on September 2, 2009, progressed through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Pasadena, California on January 7, 2010, featuring the...
seasons.
During his senior season with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2009 he was voted to the AP All-America first-team and helped lead the Tide to an undefeated 14-0 season including a victory in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game
2010 BCS National Championship Game
The 2010 Citi BCS National Championship Game was the finale of the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, and was played between the Texas Longhorns and the Alabama Crimson Tide. It was hosted by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California,...
.
High school career
A native of Fort Myers, FloridaFort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 62,298 in the 2010 census, a 29.23 percent increase over the 2000 figure....
, Cody attended Riverdale High School
Riverdale High School (Florida)
Riverdale High School, located in Fort Myers, Florida, is one of the many high schools in Lee County. The first two years of Riverdale began at the present day site of Dunbar High School. Riverdale was located in this area for approximately two years while the present-day site was still in...
. As a child, he wore size-10 shoes by the age of eight and was never eligible for the Pop Warner youth leagues
Pop Warner Little Scholars
Pop Warner Little Scholars is a non-profit organization that provides youth football, cheerleading, and dance programs for participants in 43 U.S. states and several countries around the world. It is headquartered in Langhorne, Pennsylvania...
because he was always over the weight limit. Already 6 in 2 in (1.88 m) and 275 lb (125 kg) as a ninth-grader, Cody began playing high school football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
and displayed extraordinary athleticism, causing his high school coach, Scott Jones, to predict "he could be making $2 million playing in the NFL" at some point. He played only two years of varsity football: as a freshman and then as a senior. He struggled academically, had to help take care of his seven younger siblings, and ended up “running with the wrong crowd”.
After sitting out his sophomore and junior seasons, Cody dominated as a senior. In a game against North Fort Myers
North Fort Myers High School
North Fort Myers High School is an American 9-12 high school located in North Fort Myers, Florida. It is the official center for the arts and media for the West Zone in Lee County's School Choice Program; is part of the Lee County School District; and currently serves approximately 1550 students...
, he had a memorable collision with star running back Noel Devine
Noel Devine
Noel Devine is an American football running back for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2011 and was released four days later after leaving the squad. He played college football at West Virginia.He had a...
. “Terrence hit and spun Noel Devine so hard that [Devine] was on the sideline puking,” coach Jones said.
Cody was not ranked among the nation's elite football prospects in 2006 by any recruiting service. Nonetheless he was offered athletic scholarship
Athletic scholarship
An athletic scholarship is a form of scholarship to attend a college or university awarded to an individual based predominantly on his or her ability to play in a sport...
s by the University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
and the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
, but could not qualify academically. Cody eventually signed with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College consists of four campuses and four centers: the main campus, located in Perkinston, Mississippi; the Jackson County Campus, in Gautier; the Jefferson Davis Campus, in Gulfport; the Community Campus, a non-traditional campus without walls; the George County...
.
College career
Mississippi Gulf Coast
Cody played two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, MississippiPerkinston, Mississippi
Perkinston is an unincorporated community in central Stone County, Mississippi, United States. It is situated along U.S. Highway 49, approximately five miles south of Wiggins. The community is part of the Gulfport–Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Education:The main campus of...
as a nose tackle. As a freshman he recorded 48 tackles with 2.5 sacks
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
and an interception. In his sophomore year, he added 31 tackles and 3.5 sacks while anchoring a Bulldog defense that ranked number one in the state in rushing defense and total defense. Mississippi Gulf Coast finished the season with an 12–0 season record and a NJCAA
National Junior College Athletic Association
The National Junior College Athletic Association , founded in 1938, is an association of community college and junior college athletic departments throughout the United States. It is held as Divisions and Regions. The current NJCAA holds 24 separate regions.-History:The idea for the NJCAA was...
Co-National Championship. Cody was named to the NJCAA All-American first team. He also earned a three-star rating by Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
and was listed as the 47th-best junior college player in the country.
Despite his dominance, he had trouble drawing scholarship offers, as his weight of 410 pounds (186 kg) scared off many teams. “A lot of people are just wary of guys that big,” Mississippi Gulf Coast coach Steve Campbell
Steve Campbell
Steve Campbell is an American college football head coach at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College....
said. “You know when people say that if things seem too good to be true that they usually are. A big guy like that who's that athletic, you just don't believe what you're seeing.” Particularly noted for his lower body strength, Cody had a squat
Squat (exercise)
In strength training, the squat is a compound, full body exercise that trains primarily the muscles of the thighs, hips and buttocks, quads , hamstrings, as well as strengthening the bones, ligaments and insertion of the tendons throughout the lower body...
max of 660 pounds (299.4 kg) in junior college.
However, after Cody had his weight down to 385 lb (174.6 kg), a number of schools offered him scholarships, including Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
, Ole Miss
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
, and Florida State
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
. He was heavily recruited particularly by Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
head coach Nick Saban
Nick Saban
Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo...
, who was in need of a true nose tackle for his 3–4 defense. Cody recalls Saban telling him, "We need a body like yours in the middle, to stop the run, to change the rhythm of the game." Cody committed to the Crimson Tide on November 29, 2007.
2008 season
Cody made an immediate impact for the Crimson Tide defensive line, recording four tackles—one for loss—in a 34–10 rout2008 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff
The 2008 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff took place on August 30, 2008, in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. This was the first game of the Chick-fil-A College Kickoff series. The game featured the No. 9 Clemson Tigers and the No. 24 Alabama Crimson Tide....
of the Clemson Tigers
2008 Clemson Tigers football team
The 2008 Clemson football team represented Clemson University in the 2008 college football season. The Tigers were led by oft-maligned head coach Tommy Bowden, who resigned six games into his tenth season. The interim head coach was assistant coach Dabo Swinney...
. He and the rest of the defense also held the Tigers, which included stud running backs James Davis
James Davis (running back)
-Cleveland Browns:On September 12, Davis was involved in a minor one-car accident and suffered a head injury.He was briefly hospitalized and released a few hours later....
and C. J. Spiller
C. J. Spiller
Clifford "C.J." Spiller Jr. is an American Football running back for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was an All-American at Clemson University and was drafted 9th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft...
, to zero net rushing yards. With his presence in the middle of the Crimson Tide defensive line, Cody earned himself the nickname of “Mount Cody.” By mid-season he was already considered the No. 1 nose tackle prospect for the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
by league scouts.
Against Arkansas
2008 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
The 2008 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2008 football season. The Razorbacks played five home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and one home game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas...
, Cody dominated Razorbacks center Jonathan Luigs
Jonathan Luigs
-Cincinnati Bengals:Luigs was selected by the Bengals in the fourth round, 106th overall. He signed a four-year, $2.26 million deal with a $509,000 signing bonus. A backup to Kyle Cook in the 2009 NFL season, Luigs played in eight games for the Bengals before being waived on August 17, 2010, after...
—the 2007 Rimington Trophy winner—and helped the Crimson Tide to a 49–14 win. In a memorable play on a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line late in the first half, Cody blasted past Luigs and left guard Wade Grayson to grab running back Michael Smith before he could reach the end zone. In Alabama's rout over Georgia
2008 Georgia Bulldogs football team
The 2008 Georgia Bulldogs football team competed in American football on behalf of the University of Georgia in 2008. The Bulldogs competed in the East Division of the Southeastern Conference . This was the Georgia Bulldogs' eighth season under the guidance of head coach Mark Richt...
at Sanford Stadium
Sanford Stadium
Sanford Stadium is the on-campus playing venue for football at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, United States. The 92,746-seat stadium is the seventh largest stadium in the NCAA. Architecturally, the stadium is known for the fact that its numerous expansions over the years have been...
, Cody was instrumental in holding Doak Walker award
Doak Walker Award
The Doak Walker Award, first awarded in 1990, honors the United States's top college football running back. It is named after the Southern Methodist and Detroit Lions football player Doak Walker...
candidate Knowshon Moreno
Knowshon Moreno
Knowshon Rockwell Moreno is an American football running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was selected 12th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Broncos. He played college football at the University of Georgia.-Early years:Moreno grew up in Belford, a neighborhood in...
to just 34 yards rushing. In the seventh game of the season against Ole Miss
2008 Ole Miss Rebels football team
The 2008 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 2008 college football season. The team's head coach was Houston Nutt, who served his first season in the position and replaced Ed Orgeron, who was fired after accumulating a 10–25 record at Ole Miss from...
, he received a knee injury during the third quarter which sidelined him for two weeks.
In the annual Iron Bowl
Iron Bowl
The Iron Bowl is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Alabama Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama and the Auburn Tigers football team of Auburn University. The series is considered one of the best and most hard-fought rivalries in all of sports...
versus rival Auburn
2008 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2008 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University during 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Tommy Tuberville served his tenth season as head coach at Auburn...
, Cody and teammate Bobby Greenwood sacked quarterback Kodi Burns
Kodi Burns
Kodi Burns is an American football Wide Receiver for the Auburn University Tigers football team.As a high school senior in 2006, Burns accounted for 2,738 yards 36 touchdowns, rushing and passing. He was named All-State by the Arkansas Activities Association and was ranked as the nation's #8...
, giving Cody his first half-sack of the season. He also recovered a fumble, which set up an Alabama touchdown. In the 2008 SEC Championship Game
2008 SEC Championship Game
The 2008 Dr Pepper SEC Championship Game was played on December 6, 2008 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia to determine the 2008 football champion of the Southeastern Conference . The game featured the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Gators were classified as the home team...
versus Florida
2008 Florida Gators football team
The 2008 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2008 college football season...
, Cody recorded three tackles in a 31–20 loss. In the loss, the Crimson Tide allowed 142 yards rushing—the second most in the 2008 season
2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 76th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference and its 17th within the SEC Western Division...
. In the season finale
2009 Sugar Bowl
The 2009 Allstate Sugar Bowl was the 75th annual edition of the annual college football bowl game that is part of the 2008–09 bowl season of the Bowl Championship Series 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
, he recorded one assisted tackle, while holding the Utah Utes
2009 Utah Utes football team
The 2009 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team, coached by 5th year head football coach Kyle Whittingham, played its home games in Rice–Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah....
to 13 yards rushing. However, Alabama went on to lose the game 31–17, finishing the season 12–2.
Alabama′s rush defense considerably improved in 2008. After giving up 128.4 rushing yards a game in 2007, the Crimson Tide only allowed 78.8 yards per game in 2008. “As far as one guy who has changed our team more than any, you’d have to go with Terrence,” offensive lineman Mike Johnson said. Cody was subsequently given the team’s Defensive Achievement Award for a newcomer who has played a critical role in the effectiveness of his unit.
Despite being commonly regarded as a top prospect, Cody decided to skip the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
. On Christmas Day 2008 an "announcement" on his Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
page said that he was leaving early, but turned out to be a joke by his girlfriend.
2009 season
Prior to the 2009 season2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on September 2, 2009, progressed through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Pasadena, California on January 7, 2010, featuring the...
Cody dropped about 10 pounds and worked on his conditioning, hoping to keep himself in the game on third-down passing situations. He was often replaced by Josh Chapman on passing downs in 2008. Nick Saban stated Cody needed to reduce his weight to 340 lbs in order to become an every-down player and pass-rusher; he reported for fall practice at 354 lbs, set a goal to reach 345 lbs by the season opener, and eventually dropped his weight to 349 lbs. Only a couple of days before the first game, Cody and a few of his teammates were sidelined with flu-like symptoms. Cody returned after a three-day absence.
Cody was named to the 2009 Lombardi Award
Lombardi Award
The Rotary Lombardi Award is awarded annually to the best college football lineman or linebacker. The Lombardi Award program was approved by the Rotary Club in Houston in 1970 shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi. The committee outlined the criteria for eligibility for the award, which...
, Lott Trophy
Lott Trophy
The Lott IMPACT Trophy is presented annually to the college football Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. IMPACT is an acronym for: integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity. The award purports to equally recognize the personal character of the winning player as well as...
, and Outland Trophy
Outland Trophy
The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
pre-season watch lists. Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 1 defensive tackle in college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
in 2009. On October 14, 2009, Cody and fellow teammate Rolando McClain were announced as two of the twelve finalists for the 2009 Lombardi Award. Cody was also named to The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
and CBS Sports
CBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
midseason college football All-American teams.
In a game against Tennessee
2009 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 2009 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2009 college football season. The team was coached by Lane Kiffin. The 2009 season would be his 1st and only at Tennessee – leaving to take the head coaching job at the University of Southern Cal on January...
on October 24, Cody blocked his first two field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
s of his career, including a 44-yard attempt in the game's final seconds, to secure Alabama's 12–10 win. According to Yahoo! Sports national columnist Dan Wetzel, Cody earned himself Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
consideration with his performance against the Volunteers. A couple of weeks later, Mike Hiserman of the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
also called for Heisman consideration for Cody, describing him as "the best player on what might be college football's top defense."
On November 10, Cody was named one of four finalists for the Lombardi Award, alongside Jerry Hughes
Jerry Hughes
-2011 season:During the week 8 game against the Tennessee Titans Hughes missed a block on a punt by Pat McAfee. The punt was blocked and the Titans scored a touchdown. This was the first blocked punt of McAfee's career.-External links:*...
, Gerald McCoy
Gerald McCoy
McCoy was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 3rd overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft. McCoy and the Buccaneers agreed to a five-year, $63 million contract on July 31, 2010.-Tampa Bay Buccaneers:...
and Ndamukong Suh
Ndamukong Suh
Ndamukong Suh is an American football defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions 2nd overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska....
. He was the seventh Crimson Tide player to be named a finalist and the second in a row, joining offensive tackle Andre Smith, who was a finalist for the award in 2008. Former All-American linebacker Cornelius Bennett
Cornelius Bennett
Cornelius O'Landa Bennett is a former American football linebacker who played for the Buffalo Bills from 1987 to 1995, Atlanta Falcons from 1996 to 1998, and the Indianapolis Colts from 1999 to 2000...
was the only Alabama player to win the Lombardi Award, capturing the honor in 1986. In the end, Nebraska's
2009 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
The 2009 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cornhuskers played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska and were led by head coach Bo Pelini...
Ndamukong Suh
Ndamukong Suh
Ndamukong Suh is an American football defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions 2nd overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska....
won the award. On November 19, Cody joined Pat Angerer
Pat Angerer
Patrick Aaron "Pat" Angerer is an American football linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League...
, Eric Berry
Eric Berry
James Eric Berry , nicknamed "The Fifth Dimension" is an American football safety for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted 5th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.-High school career:Berry played at Creekside High School in...
, Jerry Hughes and Ndamukong Suh as the five finalists for the 2009 Nagurski Trophy, but was again beat out by Suh for the award. On November 23, Cody, Brandon Spikes
Brandon Spikes
-2010 season:Spikes was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract on July 26, 2010. Spikes quickly became a starter at inside linebacker in the Patriots 3–4 defense, alongside Jerod Mayo. Against Baltimore in Week 6 of his rookie...
and Suh were announced as the three finalists for the 2009 Bednarik Award, which was eventually won by Suh as well.
In his two seasons at Alabama, Cody helped the Crimson Tide to lead the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
in rushing defense, allowing opponents a rushing average of only 78.8 and 78.1 yards per game in 2008 and 2009, respectively. No individual player reached the 100-yard rushing mark against the Crimson Tide in those two seasons; Anthony Dixon
Anthony Dixon
-2010 season:With the announcement of the sudden retirement of second year player Glen Coffee on August 13, former head coach Mike Singletary stated that Dixon and veteran Michael Robinson would compete for the number 2 running back spot behind Pro Bowler Frank Gore...
of Mississippi State
Mississippi State Bulldogs football
The Mississippi State Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124...
came closest with 81 yards in 2009. Cody's presence improved Alabama's pass rush despite his not being an effective pass rusher himself. Wrote Michael Casagrande: "The power that comes with his size typically forces opposing lines to focus two players on blocking him, thus creating favorable rushing lanes for unblocked linebackers."
Prior to the 2010 BCS National Championship Game
2010 BCS National Championship Game
The 2010 Citi BCS National Championship Game was the finale of the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, and was played between the Texas Longhorns and the Alabama Crimson Tide. It was hosted by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California,...
, Cody drew awestruck praise from Texas players and coaches. "They call him Mount Cody. Mount Cody is for a reason. He plays like he’s 450 pounds. He can move like he’s Sergio Kindle
Sergio Kindle
-Baltimore Ravens:Although deemed a first-round talent by most analysts, many teams were scared off by Kindle's often-injured knee and his off-the-field incidents. Kindle fell into the second round and was ultimately drafted by the Baltimore Ravens, 43rd overall. He said in a press conference...
," said Longhorns guard Charlie Tanner. Alabama's defense held Texas to 81 yards rushing—more than 70 yards below their season average—on 28 attempts, and helped the Crimson Tide to their first national title since 1992.
Along with Crimson Tide teammates Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
, Mike Johnson
Mike Johnson (offensive lineman)
Michael P. Johnson is an American football offensive lineman for the Atlanta Falcons. Johnson was one of three Crimson Tide offensive linemen to earn 2008 All-American honors, alongside Andre Smith and Antoine Caldwell...
, Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
, and Colin Peek
Colin Peek
Colin Davis Peek is an American football tight end and is currently a free agent. He attended the Georgia Institute of Technology before transferring to the University of Alabama. Peek signed a free agent contract after going undrafted in the 2010 NFL draft...
, Cody participated in the 2010 Senior Bowl
2010 Senior Bowl
The 2010 Under Armour Senior Bowl was an all-star college football exhibition game featuring players from the 2009 college football season, and prospects for the 2010 Draft of the professional National Football League , as well as for the United Football League's inaugural draft.The game was played...
on January 30, 2010. In the Senior Bowl weigh-in at the Mobile Convention Center, Cody tipped the scales at 370 pounds, which hurt his draft status according to NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock.
College awards and honors
College career statistics
2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 76th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference and its 17th within the SEC Western Division...
>
2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 77th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference and its 18th within the SEC Western Division...
>
! 19 !! 32 !! 51 !! 10.5–25 !! 0.5–5 !! 0–0 !! 1 !! 1 !! 5 !! 2–0 !! 1 !! 2>
2010 NFL Draft
Frequently drawing comparisons to Ted WashingtonTed Washington
Theodore Washington, Jr. is a former American football nose tackle. He was originally drafted out of Louisville by the San Francisco 49ers, 25th overall in the 1991 NFL Draft, but also played for the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and Cleveland...
and Shaun Rogers, Cody was considered one of the rare two-gap nose tackles that NFL teams covet for their 3–4 defenses. Many NFL experts therefore projected Cody to be selected in the first-round of the 2010 NFL Draft
2010 NFL Draft
The 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
. One of the teams interested in Cody was rumored to be his near-hometown Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, who lost their veteran nose tackle Jason Ferguson
Jason Ferguson
Jason O. Ferguson is a former American football defensive tackle who played thirteen seasons in the National Football League, for the New York Jets—who originally selected in the seventh round of the 1997 NFL Draft—, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins...
to injury during the 2009 season
2009 NFL season
The 2009 NFL season was the 90th regular season of the National Football League.The preseason started with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2009, and the regular season began September 10. The season ended with Super Bowl XLIV, the league's championship game, on February 7, 2010 at...
.
Some pro scouts, however, were concerned about Cody's weight and said he needed to reduce it to 340 lbs in order to be an effective NFL player. They questioned whether he had the stamina to be a three-down player, or the quickness to be an effective pass rusher, at his college weight of about 360 lbs. ESPN′s K. C. Joyner analyzed Cody's relative playing time in a four-game SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
stretch in October 2009 (at Kentucky
2009 Kentucky Wildcats football team
The 2009 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Rich Brooks, in his seventh and ultimately final season at Kentucky, and played its home games at Commonwealth Stadium. The Wildcats competed...
, at Mississippi
2009 Ole Miss Rebels football team
The 2009 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 2009 college football season. The team was led by Houston Nutt, who was in his second season as the Rebels' head coach...
, vs. South Carolina
2009 South Carolina Gamecocks football team
The 2009 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the college football season of 2009–2010. The team's head football coach was Steve Spurrier, who was in his fifth season at USC. The Gamecocks played their home games at Williams-Brice Stadium in...
, vs. Tennessee
2009 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 2009 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2009 college football season. The team was coached by Lane Kiffin. The 2009 season would be his 1st and only at Tennessee – leaving to take the head coaching job at the University of Southern Cal on January...
), and found that Cody was in the Alabama defensive lineup on only 122 of 281 plays. Joyner also discovered that during that stretch Cody drew an impressively high amount of double-teams: 63.6 percent, compared to NFL player Albert Haynesworth
Albert Haynesworth
-Tennessee Titans:Haynesworth was elected to the Pro Bowl for the first time for the 2007 NFL season. During this season following the stomping incident, he ranked second on the team with six sacks in his 11 games played up to the selection, led or tied for the team-high in total tackles three...
's 2007
2007 NFL season
The 2007 NFL season was the 88th regular season of the National Football League.Regular-season play was held from September 6 to December 30....
double-team mark of 51.3 percent.
At the 2010 Senior Bowl
2010 Senior Bowl
The 2010 Under Armour Senior Bowl was an all-star college football exhibition game featuring players from the 2009 college football season, and prospects for the 2010 Draft of the professional National Football League , as well as for the United Football League's inaugural draft.The game was played...
, Cody disappointed a lot of NFL scouts when he weighed in at 370 lbs, 16 lbs above his official weight according to the 2009 Alabama media guide. In the game, however, Cody "moved pretty well for a 370-pound behemoth" and used "his hands well to create a little space to get penetration". He finished with 1.5 tackles for loss. At the NFL combine, Cody weighed in at 354 lbs pounds, but according to Mike Mayock
Mike Mayock
Michael Francis Mayock is a former professional football player, a safety with the New York Giants of the National Football League...
he was still not worthy of a first-round pick. Cody worked out at API in Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
, along with Sam Bradford
Sam Bradford
Samuel Jacob "Sam" Bradford is an American football quarterback for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was the first overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, and played college football at Oklahoma. In 2008, as a redshirt sophomore, Bradford became the second sophomore to win a...
, Jason Worilds
Jason Worilds
Jason Adjepong Worilds is an American football outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
, and former Alabama teammates Mike Johnson and Roy Upchurch. He made pre-draft visits to the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
, the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
.
At the NFL Combine, Cody ran a 5.62 sec 40-yard dash, the slowest by an eventually drafted defensive tackle since Corey Swinson
Corey Swinson
Corey Swinson is a former American football defensive tackle. After playing his college football at Hampton University, Swinson spent one season with the NFL's St. Louis Rams in 1995...
, a seventh round pick in the 1995 NFL Draft
1995 NFL Draft
The 1995 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 22–23, 1995 at the Paramount Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City...
. Cody was selected in the 2nd round (57th overall) by the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
. He was the highest picked Alabama Crimson Tide defensive tackle since Cornelius Griffin
Cornelius Griffin
-Washington Redskins:Griffin was signed by the Giants' NFC East-rival Washington Redskins as an unrestricted free agent on March 3, 2004, during the 2004 offseason.Griffin had his best season in 2004, recording 96 tackles and six sacks...
was drafted 42nd overall by the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the 2000 NFL Draft
2000 NFL Draft
The 2000 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur U.S. college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 15–16, 2000...
.
Baltimore Ravens
At Baltimore, Cody is projected to strengthen a Ravens defense that allowed the fewest rushing yards per carry (3.4) of any NFL team in and had a streak of 39 consecutive games without allowing a 100-yard rusher—broken when Cincinnati'sCincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
Cedric Benson
Cedric Benson
Cedric Myron Benson is an American football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears fourth overall in the 2005 NFL Draft...
rushed for 120 yards on October 11, 2009. Regarded by Ravens director of player personnel Eric DeCosta
Eric DeCosta
Eric DeCosta was named the Director of Player Personnel for the Baltimore Ravens on January 28, 2009...
as a first-round prospect "from an ability standpoint," Cody is expected to compete against Kelly Gregg
Kelly Gregg
Kelly Michael Gregg is an American football nose tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oklahoma.Gregg earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the Baltimore...
for the starting nose tackle spot in . The combination of Cody and 345-pound Haloti Ngata
Haloti Ngata
-Baltimore Ravens:Ngata decided to leave Oregon a year early because his mother, 'Ofa, was in the early stages of kidney dialysis. She died from her illness on January 13, 2006....
gives Baltimore the AFC North’s heaviest interior line, reminiscent of Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa
Tony Siragusa
Anthony "Tony" Siragusa , nicknamed "Goose", is a former National Football League defensive tackle who spent twelve seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens. He currently works as a sideline analyst for NFL games broadcast on the Fox Network.-Early life:Siragusa attended David...
on the 2000–2001 Ravens teams.
Cody signed a four-year, $3.385 million maximum value contract with the Ravens on July 26, 2010. In training camp at McDaniel College
McDaniel College
McDaniel College is a private four-year liberal arts college in Westminster, Maryland, located 30 miles northwest of Baltimore. The college also has a satellite campus located in Budapest, Hungary. Until July 2002, it was known as Western Maryland College...
, Cody—along with veteran cornerback Walt Harris—failed his conditioning test for the Ravens, and was thus placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. He eventually passed the conditioning test on his third try, allowing him to go to training camp for the Ravens.
In his unofficial NFL debut, a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
, Cody had a solid performance, finishing with five tackles (four solo). His most impressive play came in the first half, when he tackled DeAngelo Williams
DeAngelo Williams
DeAngelo Williams is an American football running back for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. Williams was drafted by the Panthers 27th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft...
with one arm for a loss while holding off Panthers center Ryan Kalil
Ryan Kalil
Ryan Kalil is an American football offensive lineman for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. Drafted by Carolina in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft, Kalil played college football at the University of Southern California...
with the other. On November 21, he made his first official start, debuting against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium
Bank of America Stadium
Bank of America Stadium is a 73,778-seat football stadium located on of land in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It is the home facility of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise. It also hosts the annual Belk Bowl which features teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big East...
. Unlike his preseason performance, he was criticized for his poor performance from fans and head coach John Harbaugh. During a play, the Panthers offensive lineman pushed Cody out of the way, allowing Mike Goodson
Mike Goodson
Michael Darryl Goodson, Jr. is an American football running back for the Carolina Panthers. He played college football for Texas A&M.-High school career:...
to have a 45-yard run. Cody finished the game without any tackles, as the Ravens defense allowed 120 rushing yards.
Personal
By his own admission, Cody grew up poor. His mother worked two jobs, as a traveling nurse and a bus driver, to care for him and his seven younger siblings. His parents were not married, but his father, a construction worker, was a big part of his life until he died in a car accident when Cody was 11. At the end of his junior year of high school, Cody moved in with the family of a high school teammate, Jason Milliken.In his two years at Alabama, Cody became the Tide's most popular player because of his outsized personality and body. Says quarterback Greg McElroy
Greg McElroy
Gregory McElroy, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama....
: "He's an enjoyable person to have on our team, have in the locker room, and (he) has great charisma. He has fun when he plays the game, and that's a big reason why he's so popular."