A recurring series where we will profile every player and coach on Maryland’s roster, counting down to kick-off against Miami. Thanks to OBNUG for the idea.
Today we profile yet another player who spent a year at Fork Union.
Cody Blue, Sophomore (RS), Offensive Tackle
Stats:
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 270
Ratings: Two stars, #19 in Maryland by Rivals; three stars, #65 defensive tackle by Scout; #78 offensive tackle by ESPN
40-yard dash time: 5.0
High School Stats (Senior Year): 38 tackles, four sacks
High School: Wilde Lake High School (Columbia, Md.)
How’d He Get To College Park?
At Wilde Lake, Cody Blue was a starter at offensive tackle and on the defensive line, finding a good amount of success at both. He was described by his high school coach as a sort of a project – he didn’t really dominate games at Wilde Lake, but he played well and has a good frame for an offensive lineman. He was named to the first-team Big School All Maryland squad (whatever that is) and second team all-county as a senior.
Blue was recruited by the usual suspects – Illinois, UConn, Boston College and Virginia Tech – but as far as we can tell Maryland was his only offer. He grew up a Terps fan, so it was an easy choice for him.
Blue spent a year at Fork Union (at the same time as Zachariah Kerr) and played on both sides of the ball there. When talking about Blue, head coach John Shuman compared him to Fork Union product and recent first round draft pick Anthony Castonzo and former Terp Bruce Campbell. He then moved on to Maryland, where he spent his first year redshirting as a squad team defensive lineman. He then switched over to the offensive line last spring, playing in the Morgan State, Wake Forest, and East Carolina games, and that’s where his Maryland career stands.
More after the jump.
Nickname:
Cody “Chesnutt” Blue
Career Highlight:
Getting the offer from his hometown school.
Career Lowlight:
Having to go to Fork Union.
Arbitrary Top Five List:
Songs on Phrenology:
1. Thought @ Work
2. The Seed (2.0)
3. Water
4. Sacrifice
5. Rolling With Heat
Dream Season:
Blue holds off Jake Wheeler for the No. 2 left tackle spot while Justin Gilbert recovers from injury, and gets some playing time backing up Max Garcia in Gilbert’s absence.
Nightmare season:
Garbage time in the Towson game.
2011 Prospectus:
Cody Blue currently stands as third on Maryland’s depth chart at left tackle, but as we said with Jake Wheeler, that’s misleading. Max Garcia is currently listed as the starter, with returning starter Justin Gilbert behind Blue as fourth on the list, but that’s due to Gilbert’s injury. Once Gilbert recovers, he’ll probably take over the starting role, with Garcia serving as the main backup on the O-Line and Blue moving down to third.
That being said, Blue’s best opportunities for playing time this year come early in the season, against Miami and three games later against Towson. Gilbert is reportedly expected to miss the Miami game, giving Blue an opportunity as a reserve in an important game there, and Maryland is expected to blow Towson out, giving Blue an opportunity as a reserve in garbage time there.
Cody Blue is definitely still a project. He’s got a good frame and good physical skills, he just needs more time with Tom Brattan before he can become a reliable ACC lineman. Maryland fans will likely see some of him early in the year, but don’t expect his name to pop up once Gilbert returns.
Up Next:
Our next player’s high school team didn’t win a single game in 2008.