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Cody Keith, South Mecklenburg HS |
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| 09/07/08 - Cody Keith, South Mecklenburg High School |
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DSU: Talk to me about how you found your niche as a quarterback? How did you end up playing this position?
CK: I started out as a running back and was absolutely horrible. So I just kept on trying, but one day my coach had the idea of trying me at quarterback. I played baseball and could throw the ball pretty well so the moved seemed to make sense. I tried the position and loved it so I’ve been there ever since.
DSU: What age was that?
CK: That was in Pop Warner when I was really young. I was probably 10 or 11 years old.
DSU: Tell me about how you found out about DeBartolo Sports University and Steve Clarkson Quarterback Academy.
CK: We found out about Steve Clarkson from the HBO Real Sports special. My dad told me about it one day and said we would be going out to California. I just kind of went with it.
DSU: Through the many months you have trained with Steve what is it you like most about his program?
CK: I love how if you mess up Steve will let you know about it and tell you how to correct it.
DSU: Take me through the evolution of yourself as a quarterback.
CK: I started in Pop Warner and played that for three years. I went on to AG Middle school and played quarterback when I was in eighth grade. I played my ninth grade season at Myers Park and loved it, but after my tenth grade season I just decided that it wasn’t the place for me and that’s when I transferred over to South Mecklenburg.
DSU: What factors prompted you to transfer from Myers Park to South Mecklenburg?
CK: I just saw my sophomore year how South Meck handled their business and just really liked it. I’m still friends with all the guys at Myers Park. I’m still friends with Coach Ruark. It just wasn’t the right place for me.
DSU: What would you say your career highlight was at Myers Park?
CK: I played really well against South Meck actually. It was one of the final games of the season and probably my best game of the year. I almost ran the ball in for a touchdown. It was about a 10 to 12 yard run. I threw the ball pretty well in that game. The game was one of my big highlights and helped in my decision to transfer over to South Meck.
DSU: Describe yourself in your own words what your strengths are as a quarterback.
CK: Probably my leadership and accuracy. I have been told that I do a good job of leading my team on the field. I also throw a pretty accurate ball. I get it to the receiver and make it catchable.
How would you describe the offensive play calling at South Mecklenburg?
CK: It’s a double wing offense. We have a killer backfield so we will most likely run the ball a lot to suck the defense up and then throw over top of them.
DSU: Talk about your wide receivers and your offensive line.
CK: They’re both looking really good at this point. The offensive line is looking real big. They are doing a great job of protecting. Coach Willis is teaching them well. Nathan Gowing is doing a great job at wide receiver. In my backfield, Spencer Shewey, Tim Palmer, and Larry Kennedy are going to be unstoppable.
DSU: Glancing ahead at this seasons opponents, what are your thoughts regarding your strength of schedule?
CK: Independence is going to be decent this year. Charlotte Catholic will be a challenge in our season opener. East Meck should be really good as well. Hopefully we will advance all the way to state.
DSU: Have you set any individual goals for yourself this upcoming year?
CK: My goals heading into the season are just to lead this team to the best of my ability.
DSU: Talk to me about your summer. Have you attended any scouting camps or combines?
CK: We have been competing in a lot of 7-on7’s. One was held at Wake Forest where we got to work out a little bit with Coach Elrod. We went to Catawba once, but that’s about it.
How do you plan to attack the recruiting period?
CK: I am going to trust Steve (Clarkson). Go out there and just play as hard as I can. I’m just going to do what I do.
DSU: Have you had any favorite college programs growing up?
CK: I’ve always loved Wake Forest. My brother went there, my dad went there, my mom went there, and my sisters. So I’ve always really loved Wake Forest. I went down to Ole Miss because one of my sisters goes there. Clemson, Georgia, Vanderbilt, and Tennessee are also favorites.
DSU: Have you had a quarterback you look up to or a quarterback you model your game after?
CK: I have always loved Tom Brady. He just throws a really catchable ball. I’m a big Riley Skinner fan as well. He is just a really great guy.
DSU: What do you feel your three biggest selling points as a quarterback are?
CK: My leadership ability, my accuracy, and my arm strength.
DSU: Talk about the relationship with your new coach at South Meck?
CK: Coach Martin is a great guy. He always calls me after 7-on-7’s and asks me what I thought I did well and what I thought I could improve upon. He just talks to me about everything. Before we hang up the phone he will say something like ‘OK… now I want you to sit down and think about this for a while and then give me a call me tomorrow with your final conclusion.
DSU: Talk to me a little bit about the quarterback tradition at South Meck. Have their been any quarterbacks that have advanced to the college level?
CK: Jey Yokeley is walking on at Appalachian State right now. He has helped me out a lot. After practice we would go back out and throw together and do drills together.
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