Terrence Cody

Terrance Cody Nose Tackle

Senior

6’ 5” 365 lbs.

University of Alabama

Strengths: Unmatched size, strength, athletic for his size

Weaknesses:  Slow, past academic and weight problems, 2 down player

By John L. Clarke

Mount Rushmore, Mount Vesuvius, and Mount St. Helen’s are all HUGE natural structures (although Rushmore has been altered by man) that are known for their massive, imposing size and once for their volatility.  Mount Cody is similar massive, imposing and STILL volatile structure. 

There will be plenty of good defensive tackles in the 2010 NFL Draft, but Cody look like the only true nose tackle. NFL teams that play a 34 defense will be drooling to get this prospect on their rosters.

Terrence Cody, the former 400 lbs. junior college nose tackle and current Crimson Tide standout, is probably going to be the top defensemen going in the 2010.  Guys of his size and athleticism just don’t come around that often and with the 3-4 defense being the new trend, a good nose tackle of his caliber is an important cog.

Although his stats weren’t overwhelming with only 23 tackles, 4.5 of those for loss, and 0.5 sacks, his presence was.  He was constantly double and triple teamed by the oppositions offensive linemen, which freed up his defensive teammates to make plays.  The Crimson Tide held opponents to 79 yards rushing per game as opposed to the 128 yards rushing they were averaging before Cody got to school.

Cody is scary, but not in the, “please don’t hit or land on me” vibe, but the will he regress to the academically challenged, overweight kid that he was in the past.  Although, to be fair, him hitting or falling on someone would be just as scary.  With a man of his size, the fear for making him a high draft pick is if he is worth the money.  Not in terms of ability, but sustainability.  Guys like Ted Washington and Gilbert Brown are rare run stoppers that linebackers love and offensive linemen hate, but they are also rare in passing situations. 

Cody has been steadily losing weight and does seem really committed to taking care of his body to be able to stay in on those all important passing downs.  Staying in school was another important decision, as he will give scouts more tape on his abilities, much to the chagrin of all other teams in the SEC.  It also helps to have Nick Saban, a staunch disciplinarian, as a coach.  Saban is a student of the game and expects nothing less from his scholarship athletes. 

If Cody can maintain his new found work ethic, develop some new pass rush moves to go along with his new found energy, he will maintain his status as a Top 5 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.  If injuries derail his season, regresses to his former out of shape self or Alabama struggles in stopping the run, then watch for him to drop like, well, a 365 lbs. man. His new work ethic is impressive...hopefully success and future $$$ won't derail him from his potential (ala his former teammate Andre Smith).

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