On the topic of the St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ· Battlehawks and Cody Schrader, the hometown United Football League team and its fans should practice one of the longstanding rules of birdkeeping: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
The B-hawks made a smart and exciting call this week, drafting St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ· native and former University of Missouri star Cody Schrader in the UFL’s college draft.
It could become a brilliant move.
One, because Schrader is a stud, as evidenced by his rise from overlooked Truman State transfer to 2023 Southeastern Conference leading rusher. And two, because his Mizzou star status would give locals another reason to be fired up about heading down to the Battle Dome next season.
But I’m not betting on Schrader winding up in the UFL.
Here’s why.
People are also reading…
Schrader is too talented, too versatile and too driven to not carve out some sort of foothold in the NFL. And we know how things tend to go with Schrader. If he gets one fingernail into a roster spot, next thing you know, he has it gripped in his hand. Then both hands. He’s like that kid’s book. If you give a mouse a cookie, you’re going to wind up giving that mouse a glass of milk and a straw and so on. If you give Schrader a chance, you’re going to wind up giving him more chances. The 49ers gave him a chance. I bet they wind up giving him more chances.
Some guys have the talent. Some guys have the versatility. Some guys have the work ethic. Not all have all three, and when combined, they can lead to improbable success stories. For example, see what Schrader did at Mizzou.
The Tigers didn’t want Schrader coming out of Lutheran South. No big brand names did. Truman State became the thankful recipient of others’ negligence as Schrader became a dominant Division II back.
He had to start all over again as a Mizzou walk-on. He worked his tail off on special teams. Thanks to one of the best running back coaches in the country, Curtis Luper, where Schrader came from didn’t limit where he could go. Where he went was rushing for 1,627 yards and 14 touchdowns while also catching 22 passes for 191 yards in a final collegiate season that launched him into the top 10 in Heisman Trophy voting.
Now Schrader is starting all over again. The Burlsworth Trophy winner and Doak Walker Award finalist was rewarded for his first-team All-America season by being skipped over entirely in the NFL draft. Too many teams saw 5-foot-8, 202 pounds and a 4.61 second 40-yard dash that didn’t get a second attempt at the NFL combine because Schrader pulled up with a sore hamstring.
But as soon as I saw where Schrader signed on as an undrafted free agent soon after the draft ended, I felt encouraged for him. San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan knows offense. Star 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is a 5-foot-11, 210-pound dynamo. I’m not comparing Schrader to McCaffrey. What I’m saying is a coach and offense that can get the most out of McCaffrey should see ways to use Schrader.
Here’s why.
Schrader can run, sure. If you can lead the SEC in rushing, you can run effectively in the NFL. Period.
Schrader can make catches out of the backfield to complement a team’s receiving attack, something not all running backs can do but something the 49ers love to do. McCaffrey last season ranked third among NFL backs in receptions.
Schrader is a more-than-willing blocker, a skill too few backs truly embrace. The 49ers suffered from offensive line and pass protection regression last season. They are one of a handful of NFL teams that value a lead-blocking fullback role and regularly use one to pave the way for McCaffrey. Schrader’s blocking didn’t get talked about enough at Mizzou. He proudly sticks his nose into oncoming defensive linemen and pass rushers. He enjoys it.
Schrader’s smart, too. Don’t overlook that here. You have to have more than just physical skill to grasp Shanahan’s complex offense. It’s hard to imagine Schrader not impressing his new coaches and teammates with how hard he works to understand the plays and how quickly he commits them to memory.
Schrader’s glow-up at Mizzou wasn’t just because of his grit and determination. He mastered the timing and vision it takes to dominate in Mizzou’s zone running attack. The 49ers rush in a similar manner. Schrader is fluent with the technique.
When you’re fighting for what could be one of the last jobs on the roster, this stuff helps.
So does finding a valuable niche if there is one to be found. For Schrader, that could be on special teams. It’s where he got his start at Mizzou, and it could be how he sticks in San Francisco.
The 49ers have a loaded running back room. Behind McCaffrey, there’s fullback Kyle Juszczyk and running backs Elijah Mitchell, Isaac Guerendo, Jordan Mason and Patrick Taylor Jr. Schrader will have to beat out two of these names, most likely.
Juszczyk is 33 years old and entering his 12th season. Mitchell tends to get injured a lot. Schrader appealed to the 49ers for a reason, and the feeling was mutual, because he picked San Fran over offers from other teams despite the competition he knew was waiting for him there.
Because Schrader went undrafted, every UFL team was eligible to claim his rights in case his NFL dream takes a detour. The Battlehawks were smart to swoop him up, just in case. The 49ers would be wise to consider the attention Schrader could demand with all NFL teams as the Battlehawks’ featured running back if they ultimately gamble on asking him to stick it out on their practice squad.
Schrader has no problem taking the long, hard road to his preferred destination.
Just don’t be too disappointed if the 49ers make it so he never suits up for our Battlehawks.