Cody Braithwaite '15 Recruiting Profile

I currently hold an offer from the Fighting Illini.

Determined as well as humble would describe me not only as a person, but also a player on the field. I cannot speak about myself without mentioning my family and my teammates. Thanks to them, I am in the position I am in. Football has not only helped become a better teammate, but it has also made me become a better man.  Football has also taught me that if you have a positive attitude and constantly strive to give your best effort, eventually you will overcome your immediate problems and find you are ready for greater challenges.

I just want to win. I just want to be labeled as a winner. I am not worried about my statistics, my ESPN ranking, or none of that. Winning is very important. I just want to be the best student athlete out there. There is no point of playing football if you are not trying to be the best. There is no point of doing anything in life if you are not trying to be the best. Competitiveness is not only on the field, but it is also in everything in life.

Standing at 6'1 weighing 200 pounds, my size and athletic ability allows me to be versatile to any scheme. I can be a physical man-to-man cover defensive back, or I can gain muscle and lineup as a hybrid safety / Outside Linebacker. At a recent camp at Northwestern, I jumped 10''4  in the broad jump , 38" on the vertical jump, 1.43 second 10 yard dash, ran a 4.33 in the 20 yard agility test and a 4.52 in the 40 yard dash. I am currently a senior, which means I have a few years before lining up at the college level. But before college, I must finish high school, and maintain my high GPA. Academics are at the top of the list of my priorities. College is not only a four-year decision, but a lifetime decision.  I will without doubt choose a school based on the quality of the education. Football is only a pathway to obtain a college degree. Classroom dedication will be the foundation of my life after football.

During the summer of 2013, I tore a tendon in my hand that required surgery and four months of rehabilitation. This setback is forcing me to sit out my junior season. With my determination and optimistic outlook on life, I will not let an injury hold me back from becoming the best player I can be. I am not medically cleared for contact, but I am cleared for weightlifting. I will be working with a personal strength coach and our track and field coach to be the top prospect I can be for my senior season.

Without much game film , I understand that recruiting me might be a great risk , but I know it will be worth it. With that said , I will obtain film a short video of me doing football specific ideas. This will allow you to have an idea of the immense potential that I have. From the few highlights I have, you can see my explosiveness and my non-stop motor.

Lastly, I wanted to take this opportunity to give thanks to a lot of people. First, I wanted to thank God for giving me the ability to play at such a high-level. I want to thank my teammates and the coaching staff. Without them , I would not be here writing this personal statement. You pushed my every day in practice , in the classroom , in every aspects of life.  Also, I wanted to thank my family and friends because you are the ones that push me , every single day. They make sure that I am staying on the correct path. I am blessed to have you all in my life. Last, but not least, I want to thank my mom. My heart , my passion , my determination , she is the reason. Just knowing that days I do not feel like going to school, or when I am struggling on the field , I just think about her when she had to wake me up , go to work , and make sure our family is surviving. Mom, you keep me going every day , and I appreciate you being in my life.

Thank you ,

Cody Braithwaite