COLUMBIA, Mo. – Thanks to a generous donation from Steve and Lisa Trulaske, the Mizzou football program officially opened the Cody Schrader Athletic Performance Center on Saturday morning. The facility, situated on the first floor of the Mizzou football building, serves as the team’s agility and weight training area.
Steve Trulaske credited head coach Eliah Drinkwitz for making the gift possible, stating, “This wouldn’t have happened without Coach Drinkwitz. From the beginning, he made me feel like part of the program. He’s transformed the culture here, and it’s evident in everything they do. The trust we’ve built allowed me to connect him with Cody [Schrader]. I’m proud to have contributed to Cody’s legacy at Mizzou and excited to support Coach’s vision in this way. Cody will forever be remembered as a True Son.”
Cody Schrader’s journey to success was fueled by his unwavering self-belief and relentless pursuit of excellence. He began his college football career at Truman State University, where he amassed 3,084 rushing yards on 479 carries, scoring 39 touchdowns, along with 60 receptions for 497 yards and two touchdowns. By his fourth season, he led Division II in rushing and ranked among the top players in several statistical categories, including rushing yards, touchdowns, and all-purpose yards.
In 2022, seeking a new challenge, Schrader joined the University of Missouri as a walk-on after Trulaske encouraged Coach Drinkwitz to review his game footage. Starting as the eighth-string running back, Schrader quickly earned a scholarship and eventually became the team’s starter. Over two seasons, he led the Tigers in rushing, totaling 2,372 yards on 446 carries with 23 touchdowns and 41 receptions for 328 yards. As team captain in 2023, he helped Mizzou achieve an 11-2 record and secure their first New Year’s Six bowl victory by defeating Ohio State in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
During the dedication event, Schrader expressed his gratitude, saying, “This is a rare moment to have everyone who’s impacted my life in one room. I’m thrilled to celebrate this with them because it wasn’t just about me. When I arrived here, it wasn’t about stats or yards—it was about proving I belonged. This is a special moment, and I’m incredibly thankful.”
Schrader concluded his college career as the 15th player in Mizzou history to earn consensus All-America honors, receiving first-team recognition from The Associated Press and The Sporting News. He also set Mizzou’s single-season rushing record with 1,627 yards and 14 touchdowns and was awarded the Burlsworth Trophy, given to the nation’s top player who began as a walk-on.
Coach Drinkwitz thanked the Trulaske family for their support, saying, “Our recent success is a direct result of their commitment to our program. When we considered how to honor Cody’s achievements, we agreed it had to be on the first floor, where he spent countless hours preparing. Cody embodies the ‘Elite Edge,’ and he and Brady [Cook] utilized this space better than anyone to ensure they were ready for game day.”
After college, Schrader signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in May 2024 before being claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams at the start of the 2024 NFL season.
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