Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Q&A with linebacker Cody Crider
10/18/2018 | 3:00:00 | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Cody Crider is second in career tackles among active players at Southern Illinois, however, the redshirt junior will miss the remainder of the season due to the third knee injury of his football career. He is a model of perseverance who refuses to give up on his dream of playing football.
In high school you were a first-team All-State selection and finalist for the Kentucky Mr. Football award as a running back and safety. What was your favorite memory during those playing days?
You cannot beat high school football. I had a passion for running the ball and scoring touchdowns. It was always fun scoring because on defense you don't receive as much glory.
Did Southern Illinois recruit you to play linebacker?
I was recruited as an athlete by most schools. I had some walk-on opportunities such as Louisville and Kentucky that primarily recruited me as a running back. SIU ultimately placed me at linebacker.
Why did you choose to attend Southern Illinois over the Power Five schools that recruited you?
They offered to pay for my school which was an important factor. I also felt like the school was a good fit for me because of the facilities and players.
What are your career plans?
I came to SIU majoring in management but switched to university studies. To be honest, I did not like studying business and management but at least have a minor in it now. I plan on going to graduate school and possibly becoming a graduate assistant football coach. It has been important to my dad and myself to receive the graduate education, and head coach Nick Hill knows a lot of people, so I think he could maybe help me out.
With you measuring under 6-foot tall, did anyone ever suggest that you were too small or short to play linebacker?
People have told me that I am undersized for a linebacker. But nowadays, there are linebackers that make it to the NFL that are 5'11 or 6'0 all the time. As long as you are fast enough, you have a shot in the NFL. If I were 6'2, I probably would have received scholarships from the bigger schools, instead of walk-ons, but it is what it is. I am blessed to be here.
Is this knee injury a reoccurring injury or has each been different?
This is the third time I have torn my ACL on the same knee. The first time was my sophomore year of high school, the second was during my true freshman season and the third was this year. It has been a reoccurring injury, happening about every two years. I am now just trying to bounce back, rehab and get to 100 percent for next season.
How is the rehab process going?
This injury is a little different because they repaired my meniscus, which means that I have to be on crutches from four to six weeks. It also means that I cannot bend or put any pressure on my knee. That makes the process slower compared to the previous two. I am starting to walk and make process, but am just very limited so far.
How tough is it mentally dealing with these knee injuries?
Any injury is tough because you feel helpless not being on the field helping out your brothers. I just have to continue praying and keeping my head up. I believe everything happens for a reason so I just gotta keep working. For me, the weight room has been my therapy.
Have you ever considered quitting due to the knee injuries?
It is hard to say, but I have thought of it before. I just have to be smart about it for when I am older. Because I have gone through the rehabilitation process before, I know the process of getting to 100 percent and will go from there.
Is there anybody in particular that has lended support since your injury and helped you stay focused toward your goal of playing again?
Strength coach Meade Smith is always hearing and helping me out. We talk about the season and he has helped me out in the weight room as well. I am the type of guy that does not like people doing things for me but when I cannot put any pressure on my leg, it makes it hard picking up 100-pound dumbbells. Meade has always been there to help me in situations like that and I really appreciate that.
Despite your injury, do you try and stay involved with the team?
It is hard since I am on crutches. But I spend a lot of time in the weight room and still stay involved by talking to all of the players. With our record being what it is, I feel the same pain after each loss, too.
Redshirt freshman Luke Giegling has received a boost in playing time due to your injury. What are your thoughts on how he is doing?
Giegling is one my best friends and a brother to me. He comes over to my house and checks up on me when he can. I could not be more proud of the way he is playing ball right now and hope he keeps filling my shoes.
How can the Saluki football team bounce back from some of the tough losses it has experienced?
We have to stick together and have pride about wearing Salukis across our chest. We also got to play for each other and not individually. I think we are a good team and can comeback strong for the remaining games of the season. We have not proved it at all yet and have to figure it out and put a good game together. It starts at one play and one series at a time. If we do that, the scoreboard will take care of itself, like coach Hill always says.
What are your plans for your remaining time at SIU?
I have a lot of football left to play. If my knee lets me, the plan is to play two more years of football for the Salukis.
In high school you were a first-team All-State selection and finalist for the Kentucky Mr. Football award as a running back and safety. What was your favorite memory during those playing days?
You cannot beat high school football. I had a passion for running the ball and scoring touchdowns. It was always fun scoring because on defense you don't receive as much glory.
Did Southern Illinois recruit you to play linebacker?
I was recruited as an athlete by most schools. I had some walk-on opportunities such as Louisville and Kentucky that primarily recruited me as a running back. SIU ultimately placed me at linebacker.
Why did you choose to attend Southern Illinois over the Power Five schools that recruited you?
They offered to pay for my school which was an important factor. I also felt like the school was a good fit for me because of the facilities and players.
What are your career plans?
I came to SIU majoring in management but switched to university studies. To be honest, I did not like studying business and management but at least have a minor in it now. I plan on going to graduate school and possibly becoming a graduate assistant football coach. It has been important to my dad and myself to receive the graduate education, and head coach Nick Hill knows a lot of people, so I think he could maybe help me out.
With you measuring under 6-foot tall, did anyone ever suggest that you were too small or short to play linebacker?People have told me that I am undersized for a linebacker. But nowadays, there are linebackers that make it to the NFL that are 5'11 or 6'0 all the time. As long as you are fast enough, you have a shot in the NFL. If I were 6'2, I probably would have received scholarships from the bigger schools, instead of walk-ons, but it is what it is. I am blessed to be here.
Is this knee injury a reoccurring injury or has each been different?
This is the third time I have torn my ACL on the same knee. The first time was my sophomore year of high school, the second was during my true freshman season and the third was this year. It has been a reoccurring injury, happening about every two years. I am now just trying to bounce back, rehab and get to 100 percent for next season.
How is the rehab process going?
This injury is a little different because they repaired my meniscus, which means that I have to be on crutches from four to six weeks. It also means that I cannot bend or put any pressure on my knee. That makes the process slower compared to the previous two. I am starting to walk and make process, but am just very limited so far.
How tough is it mentally dealing with these knee injuries?
Any injury is tough because you feel helpless not being on the field helping out your brothers. I just have to continue praying and keeping my head up. I believe everything happens for a reason so I just gotta keep working. For me, the weight room has been my therapy.
Have you ever considered quitting due to the knee injuries?
It is hard to say, but I have thought of it before. I just have to be smart about it for when I am older. Because I have gone through the rehabilitation process before, I know the process of getting to 100 percent and will go from there.
Is there anybody in particular that has lended support since your injury and helped you stay focused toward your goal of playing again?
Strength coach Meade Smith is always hearing and helping me out. We talk about the season and he has helped me out in the weight room as well. I am the type of guy that does not like people doing things for me but when I cannot put any pressure on my leg, it makes it hard picking up 100-pound dumbbells. Meade has always been there to help me in situations like that and I really appreciate that.
Despite your injury, do you try and stay involved with the team?
It is hard since I am on crutches. But I spend a lot of time in the weight room and still stay involved by talking to all of the players. With our record being what it is, I feel the same pain after each loss, too.
Redshirt freshman Luke Giegling has received a boost in playing time due to your injury. What are your thoughts on how he is doing?
Giegling is one my best friends and a brother to me. He comes over to my house and checks up on me when he can. I could not be more proud of the way he is playing ball right now and hope he keeps filling my shoes.
How can the Saluki football team bounce back from some of the tough losses it has experienced?
We have to stick together and have pride about wearing Salukis across our chest. We also got to play for each other and not individually. I think we are a good team and can comeback strong for the remaining games of the season. We have not proved it at all yet and have to figure it out and put a good game together. It starts at one play and one series at a time. If we do that, the scoreboard will take care of itself, like coach Hill always says.
What are your plans for your remaining time at SIU?
I have a lot of football left to play. If my knee lets me, the plan is to play two more years of football for the Salukis.
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