Terrence Cody Unique Performer

Earlier this year, ’BAMA Magazine continued a long tradition of having its readers select the Alabama Team of the Decade. The team was previously announced, but this summer we are revisiting and taking a deeper look at those selected. Linebacker Rolando McClain was the Player of the Decade.

Readers of ’BAMA Magazine had the opportunity to select three defensive linemen when they chose the Alabama football Team of the Decade for the first ten years of the New Millennium (2000-2009). One of those selected was Terrence Cody, who played for the Crimson Tide 2008-09. He came to Bama from Gulf Coast Community College in Mississippi, although he is a native of Fort Myers, Florida.

Cody had one scholarship offer out of Gulf Coast Community College in Mississippi following the 2007 season. Alabama Coach Nick Saban thought he could find a use for an athletic 6-5, 350-pound nose guard.

Cody became a cult figure of Alabama football. Although Cody ordinarily played just two plays per series, coming out on most passing downs, and had just 52 tackles in two seasons, he was an All-America because of his impact on the game.

And he will be remembered for the role he played in preserving Alabama’s undefeated season with two fourth quarter blocks of field goal attempts by Tennessee in a 12-10 Bama win.

He was a finalist for the Lombardi Award for the nation’s best lineman or linebacker; the Nagurski Award and the Benarik Award for the nation’s best defensive player; and was on the watch list for the Outland Trophy, which goes to the nation’s best lineman.

In Cody’s two years at Bama, no opposing runner had a 100-yard game.

Editor’s Note: This is one in a series on members of the Alabama Team of the Decade.