Fallon senior Cody Stadtman, middle, is flanked by his parents Carolyn, right, and Rick Grady after signing his National Letter of Intent with Malone University on Wednesday to play football.
One of Fallon’s best is moving on.
Greenwave offensive lineman Cody Stadtman announced Wednesday he will attend Malone University (Ohio), a Division II school, at the Elmo Dericco Gym during an event with friends, family and teachers in attendance.
Stadtman, who chose the Malone hat with his parents flanked by his side, is just one of several thousand prep football players across the country who inked his National Letter of Intent on Signing Day (Wednesday), the first official day high school players are allowed to sign with college programs.
“They really made me feel like it was home,” he said. “They are really trying to change the culture there.”
The Fallon senior was a catalyst for the Wave’s prolific rushing attack, while also protecting quarterback Joe Pyle in the pocket. Stadtman was selected first-team all-state by the Division I-A coaches and first-team all-North.
At Malone, Stadtman, a 6-foot-3 guard who will play in the shadows of the NFL Hall of Fame, said he will compete for a starting position for a program in transition. Although the Pioneers went 1-9 last year in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and 1-10 overall, the Fallon standout said he believes in what head coach Eric Hehman is building.
“Whether I start depends on how I play,” Stadtman said. “There are no guarantees. The coach said watching my film that I could easily adjust.”
Stadtman’s path to the Christian-based school began recently with an email from the coaching staff. From there, his recruitment picked up and he officially visited Malone in January.
Stadtman said he felt an instant bond with the other players and recruits.
He also visited Stillman University (Ala.), but Stadtman didn’t feel the same connection he had at Malone.
As a result, Stadtman opted for the $18,000 scholarship offer from the Pioneers, although he can receive more aid with a composite score of 100 on the ACT exam. Stadtman said he tallied a 91 in a recent ACT test, so the ability to secure more scholarship money is for the taking.
“I am working toward the ACT score,” he said. “The deciding factor wasn’t the money, but where I could fit in and have the easiest time (to transition).”
Stadtman also had offers from Stillman and Presentation College (S.D.), and took a visit to Colorado Mesa University during the fall.
Despite racking up numerous offers and interest after the Wave concluded a 10-2 season, Stadtman opted for Malone and the chance to build a winner.
Malone, which transitioned from a NAIA program to DII about four years ago, plays at Fawcett Stadium, which hosts the NFL Hall of Fame game each year.
On his recruiting trip, Stadtman toured the Hall of Fame for free, had lunch and was able to take in the sights of football’s history.