Interview: 3-Offer 2022 California OLB Cody Stordahl Preparing for Another Big Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
After sitting out half the season due to CIF transfer rules, extrapolating the stats for linebacker Cody Stordahl, California squads you are forewarned. The Chaparral outside/inside backer got after it come middle of the 2019 season putting down 47 ball carriers with four tackles for a loss, a sack, two quarterback hurries, broke up a pass, and got a pick. The extended offseason has been of benefit to the Class of 2022 recruit getting extra time to work on his hand-fighting and cover skills along with his speed and power.
With three Division-I offers on the table and another big season ahead with the Pumas, Stordahl sat down for a first-look RNG interview.
Interview
Cody, during your sophomore season, so it seems, wherever the ball was so were you. Kind of an impossible question to answer, but where does that instinct for the game come from? Is that natural and/or aided by film study?
Kind of 50-50. Growing up, my dad had the vision I would be a linebacker. They did everything they could to help me with that. Coach Pete Duffy, we are close friends with him, coached me throughout my youth. He told my dad, “he likes to hit, he might want to be a linebacker.” At first, I didn’t know what I was doing but my dad trained me. My dad got me interested in Brian Bosworth (Oklahoma). I liked his play and developed my style after him. Film study, hours in the film room with my coaches and by myself, helped develop my instincts for the game.
What was the Pumas base defense a year ago?
We had a 4-3 base, but then we did different things. If they had a two-set back, we’d have two inside linebackers, with both Mike-backers over the guards. We varied with the formations.
You were lining up on the outside and on the inside, how did your role change within the scheme?
At outside linebacker, the biggest responsibility was don’t let anything outside, force it back in. You have the defensive linemen in pursuit and the middle linebacker scrapping. If they get outside, who is left but the corner and maybe the free safety. My job on the outside was to force everything back inside. If you make the play, you make, if not force it in.
At Mike, my job was to control the middle. That was my zone. Don’t let anyone cross your face without a hit. You call everything out, the formations, and you set up the defensive linemen for stunts and their alignment.
Once you entered into the offseason, what did you focus on with your technique as a defender?
My technique. I thought I needed to get stronger to take on offensive linemen and shed them more easily. Going into the offseason, I wanted to make my hands better. When I blitz, I’m not as big, I was able to blow through linemen with my speed. In high school you can do that, but against better players you will get stopped.
My freshman year, I did not blitz a lot. We did blitz a lot last year. I had to use my moves to get into backfield. My man coverage needed work, I’ve been working on that. I have worked on getting bigger, stronger, and faster too. I spent all offseason on that.
Where all might we see you on the field once the 2020 season gets going?
We have a new defensive coordinator, Coach Robby Robinson; he is from Great Oak. We will be in a 3-3 base with two hybrids. The hybrids are rolled down with a safety and corners. Coach Robinson talked to me about playing the middle, our Mike. But I will have to know all three linebacker spots. My main position this season will be in the middle.
You touched on this a minute ago. How have you worked to add more power to your game?
I lift on the side with our strength and conditioning coach, he runs a really good program, and I worked with Athletes in Motion. Our coach knows a lot about the little things and how to clean and bench teaching us the right technique. He provides great coaching with our lifting.
Our workouts now are focused on endurance covering full body every day. It varies with his workouts. On Monday we do an interior lift like pushing lifts; bench and squat. Then we do posterior lifts, pull ups and back. Going through his workouts have really boosted all my maxes and I am being consistent with it. My bench has improved a lot and my squat.
What are your new maxes?
Bench is 295, I almost got 305 up. On squat, I attempted 400, got it down, started up, but my coach didn’t like my form so he gave me 395. My deadlift is around 465 and my clean is 250.
What are some of the drills you’ve been doing to increase your burst and speed?
I have been doing normal speed workouts and doing plyometrics, jumping, sprints, and conditioning. The past three weeks, at school we’ve been cleared to practice. On Tuesday and Thursday, we have conditioning practice. We are getting back in shape as a team.
What is the Pumas practice schedule going for a fall camp?
We actually had our first kind of a team practice yesterday. Right now, we are meeting on Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30. We check in, then we go through our COVID screening taking a test, keeping our mask on, and using hand sanitizer.
We have two hours of conditioning to an hour-and-a-half with 30 minutes talking about everything. Yesterday we got to lift together and do some installs. We are starting over with everything before getting into season. We are in spring ball but in the fall. Hopefully we get pads on in December.
Cody, college scouts are finding you and liking what they are seeing. How many offers do you have?
Three.
Which programs have dropped offers?
Arizona State, Kansas, and Maryland.
Which programs are showing interest but have not offered yet?
I’ve talked to Colorado, to their linebacker; he is a really cool guy. Northwestern has requested transcripts. San Diego State, Cal, San Jose State, and Idaho Vandals have been showing interest as well.
Cody, it was great going over your game and workouts today. I appreciate your time and wish you continued success this offseason.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Stordahl family; Cody Stordahl