Mizzou running back Cody Schrader wins the Burlsworth Trophy
BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KMIZ)
Mizzou running back Cody Schrader will return to Columbia with some hardware, following the annual Burlsworth Trophy award show, on Monday night. The Tiger standout won the award, which is given to the most outstanding college football player who started his career as a walk-on.
The former Division II running back's story swept the nation in 2023. He started his career at Truman State, before coming to Mizzou as a walk-on in 2022. He saw action in all 13 games in his first season in Columbia, but things really took off in his graduate season. He ran his way to history as the SEC's leading rusher and is also the No. 3 rusher in all of the country, behind Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon, as well as Troy's Kimani Vidal.
Schrader played in all 12 games, in 2023. He ran for 13 touchdowns and 1,499 yards, which is just 105 yards shy of the program's single season rushing record, which was set by former Tiger star Tyler Badie in 2021. But, Schrader was also a threat in the passing game. He grabbed 22 catches for 199 yards in his graduate season.
His game against Tennessee stood out among the rest, as he set an SEC record. The St. Louis-native became the only player in conference history to rush for 200 yards and receive for 100 yards in the same game.
However, Schrader capped off the season with a career night against rival Arkansas. In that 48-14 win in Fayetteville, he rushed for a career high 217 yards, including one touchdown.
The Tiger star is also a two-time SEC Offensive Player of the Week who totaled eight 100-plus yard games, two 200-plus yard games and closed the regular season with five straight 100-yard games.
Schrader is also a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, which is given to the best running back in college football. The winner of that award will be announced on Dec. 9.
Up next - Schrader and the No. 9 Tigers will continue preparation for the team's Cotton Bowl match up against No. 7 Ohio State. The teams will kickoff at AT&T Stadium on Friday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m.
