Cody Schrader Bio
Cody Schrader (born September 8, 1999) is an American professional football running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 214 pounds, Schrader plays a physical style uncommon for his size. He played college football for the Truman Bulldogs and Missouri Tigers and was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
Schrader’s professional journey has included stops with the Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans before landing in Denver. Despite going undrafted, his college résumé and relentless work ethic have made him a respected presence in NFL locker rooms.
Early Life and Background
Cody Schrader was born on September 8, 1999, in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. He grew up in the St. Louis area and attended Lutheran High School South, where he developed into one of the most productive high school running backs in the region. Over his prep career, he rushed for 6,759 yards and 99 touchdowns, establishing himself as a multi-position contributor on both offense and defense.
At Lutheran South, Schrader earned four all-conference selections as a running back and linebacker and was a three-time conference player of the year. He was named second-team all-state twice and first-team all-state in his senior season, accolades that reflected his value as a complete football player. Despite that production, Schrader was not heavily recruited by major college programs.
Following high school, Schrader committed to Truman State University to play Division II football. The decision allowed him to step into a featured offensive role early and begin building the foundation that would later launch him to the Football Bowl Subdivision level.
Path to American Football
Schrader’s path to the NFL began at Truman State, where he quickly became the centerpiece of the Bulldogs’ offense. In 2021, he rushed for 2,074 yards and 25 touchdowns on 6.9 yards per carry, leading all of Division II in rushing. That dominant season earned him Great Lakes Valley Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors and helped establish his national profile.
He finished his Truman career with 3,069 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns on 479 carries, adding 60 receptions for 497 yards and two receiving scores. During two standout seasons, he set 17 program records across single-game, season, and career categories for touchdowns, rushing attempts, rushing yards, total yards, and total points. After the 2021 season, Schrader entered the transfer portal and walked on at the University of Missouri, a Power Five program in the Southeastern Conference.
The jump from Division II to the SEC is significant, and Schrader earned his role through work in practice. By 2023, he had become an offensive captain and one of the most productive running backs in the country, which positioned him for an opportunity at the next level.
Cody Schrader Career
Early Career (2018–2021, Truman State)
Schrader arrived at Truman State in 2018 and steadily developed into the Bulldogs’ lead running back. He earned second-team All-GLVC honors in 2019 and first-team All-GLVC recognition in both 2020 and 2021, completing a four-year climb from role player to conference standout.
His 2021 campaign served as his signature college season. Rushing for 2,074 yards and 25 touchdowns while leading Division II in rushing, Schrader cemented himself as one of the top small-college backs in the country. The production convinced him to test himself at a higher level through the transfer portal.
Missouri Breakthrough (2022–2023)
As a walk-on at Missouri in 2022, Schrader quickly earned a role in the Tigers’ backfield. He finished that first SEC season with 745 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 170 carries, adding 19 receptions for 137 yards. His debut against Louisiana Tech featured 17 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown, signaling that he belonged.
Schrader’s 2023 season was historic. He was named an offensive captain and delivered one signature performance after another. In a Week 6 loss to LSU, he tallied 14 carries for 114 yards and three touchdowns, and he followed it with 170 yards and two scores in a win over South Carolina, which earned him SEC Offensive Player of the Week. In a Week 9 game against Tennessee, he became the first SEC player to record 200 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards in a single game, setting a conference record.
He set the Missouri single-season rushing record with 1,627 yards, surpassing former Tiger Tyler Badie, during a 14–3 victory against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Missouri running backs coach Curtis Luper compared Schrader to Pro Football Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas, calling him a warrior. Schrader declared for the 2024 NFL draft on January 4, 2024.
San Francisco 49ers (2024)
Schrader signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024, beginning his professional career. He competed throughout training camp for a roster spot at a deep running back position. On August 27, 2024, San Francisco waived him as part of final roster cuts.
Los Angeles Rams (2024–2025)
The Los Angeles Rams claimed Schrader off waivers on August 28, 2024, giving him an opportunity on their practice squad. He was activated for the Rams’ final regular-season game, where he rushed once for a three-yard gain and made one reception for six yards in a 30–25 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. On August 26, 2025, the Rams waived him as part of final cuts and re-signed him to the practice squad the next day.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2025)
On September 9, 2025, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Schrader to their active roster from the Rams’ practice squad after the Jaguars traded Tank Bigsby to the Philadelphia Eagles. He did not appear in a game for Jacksonville and was waived on December 6, 2025.
Houston Texans (2025)
The Houston Texans claimed Schrader off waivers on December 8, 2025, but his tenure was brief. The Texans waived him five days later, keeping him in transition during the late regular season.
Denver Broncos (2025–Present)
On December 15, 2025, the Denver Broncos claimed Schrader off waivers, giving him another fresh start. The Broncos waived him on December 25, then re-signed him to the practice squad two days later. On January 26, 2026, he signed a futures contract with Denver, securing his place on the Broncos’ offseason roster.
Notable Events and Milestones
Schrader’s most celebrated college moment came in the Cotton Bowl, where he broke Missouri’s single-season rushing record against Ohio State. He also became the first SEC player to record 200 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards in a single game, a milestone that highlighted his dual-threat ability. In the NFL, navigating five teams in his first two seasons is itself a notable achievement for an undrafted rookie.
Cody Schrader Career Wins
Cody Schrader’s career has been defined by statistical production rather than championship trophies at the professional level. In the NFL, he has appeared in a single regular-season game, recording one rushing attempt and one reception. The bulk of his on-field accomplishments came during his college career at Truman State and Missouri.
College Highlights
At Truman, Schrader set 17 program records, led Division II in rushing in 2021, and earned GLVC Co-Offensive Player of the Year. At Missouri, he set the Tigers’ single-season rushing record with 1,627 yards and was named a consensus All-American and first-team All-SEC in 2023. He also won the 2023 Burlsworth Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top player who began his career as a walk-on.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the Football Bowl Subdivision, Schrader earned two First-team All-GLVC selections in 2020 and 2021, plus a Second-team All-GLVC nod in 2019. His high school résumé included three conference player of the year awards and first-team all-state honors as a senior, illustrating a career-long pattern of consistent production at every level.
Cody Schrader Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cody Schrader was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, where he attended Lutheran High School South. The St. Louis area has a strong football culture, and his upbringing in that environment helped shape his physical, run-first style. He has been described by coaches as a warrior and a tireless worker, traits often attributed to his blue-collar football roots.
Personal Life
Schrader keeps his personal life largely private, and details about his marital status, children, or extended family have not been publicly confirmed. His public profile centers on his career and his path from a Division II walk-on to an NFL roster. He has built a social media presence that shares glimpses of his training and team life, but he has not disclosed further personal information in widely available sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was defined by movement for Cody Schrader, as he transitioned between five different NFL teams. He spent the offseason and early regular season with the Los Angeles Rams before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars in September and the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos in December. His role fluctuated between practice squad and active roster as teams reshaped their backfields during the season.
On the field, Schrader’s 2025 production was limited, with his most significant game action coming during his 2024 activation with the Rams. Through Week 15 of 2025, he had logged one rushing attempt and one reception, statistics that reflect the practice-squad-driven nature of his season. He did not appear in regular-season games for Jacksonville, Houston, or Denver during his brief stints with each club.
Looking ahead, Schrader’s futures contract with the Broncos positions him to compete for a roster spot in the 2026 offseason. His SEC pedigree, All-American résumé, and Burlsworth Trophy award give him a strong case to push for a larger offensive role. Whether in Denver or elsewhere, his 2025 journey underscored both the difficulty of the undrafted path and the resilience required to stay in the league.
