Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Cody Rice, DB, Marietta College

Every year, NFL Draft Diamonds brings our readers the best in depth interviews on the internet. We specialize in giving players an opportunity to showcase their talents on our website. We conducted interviews last year with over 300 plus players. We want you to enjoy our interviews, because when these young men are in the league, we will not be surprised, and neither should you. 

What is your name?

Cody Rice

Where do you play college football?

Marietta College

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school?

Mostly Division Three Schools in the Ohio Athletic Conference and others Ohio

How did you choose your school?

It was the best fit for me and they made me feel at home on my visit, and I also enjoyed their broadcasting program

Where are you from?

Orrville, Ohio

Who is your role model, and why?

This always a tough one, but I’d have to say my aunt because she treats me like her son and she’s always been there for me and she’d do anything for me if I needed it.

Have any scouts met with you yet, and if so what are they saying?

No scouts have met with me but I have been in talks with a few schools on joining a coaching staff

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I played a lot of baseball in my younger days before picking up football and switching from baseball to running track. I also played basketball but mostly focused on football and running track.

Did you play any other positions in football?

There honestly haven’t been many positions that I haven’t played defensively. I have play nickel linebacker and safety in the 4-3 and also have played some outside linebacker in the 3-4. I also long snap and short snap.

At your position, what separates you from others?

Knowledge of the game and my ability to play in space. I can play man to man when needed.

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

Have to know who the QBs top threats are and then begin breaking down routes and how they run them and so on. At running back I like to focus on whether or not the back is going to stay between the tackles or bounce it outside as soon as they can.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Kevin Burke from Mount Union, not much needed to say about the guy if he can’t beat you through the air he can do it with his feet.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?

I’ve never really taken the time to think about it and I can’t really say that’s one guy that I’d be compared too.

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

The first time I lost a family member was at the beginning of my junior season and it was a tough time for me and my family, but honestly being on the team and being with my friends and being able to see my family at all my games was very helpful.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Campus isn’t very big but when a lot of people drive to the stadium I enjoy the peace of walking over to the stadium and I usually will just sit at my locker and listen music after getting taped. Normally try to be the first person there.

What is your biggest strength?

Versatile, Learn things really fast

What is your biggest weakness?

Size, I’m not by any means the biggest guy out there.

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

You tell me learn and play something new I’ll do whatever you ask.

Who was your favorite player and NFL team growing up?

Always have to stay loyal to the Cleveland Browns, but I was also a big Eddie George fan when I was younger.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

I’ve always wanted to meet Kirk Herbstreit so he’s one, two would be my great grandpa also heard lots of great stories about him, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. he just seems like a pretty cool guy.