62 Days Away from Bama Kickoff: Terrence Cody

Each day counting down to Alabama's Week 1 matchup with Utah State, I will highlight one former player whose jersey number coincides with the amount of days until the game. Today, we look at the career of one of the most important players of the Nick Saban era, Terrence Cody. 

Terrence Cody, or "Mount Cody" as he was affectionally referred to during his days with Alabama, was a part of Nick Saban's oft-heralded 2008 recruiting class. Though he finished up his high school career at Riverdale High in Fort Myers, FL in 2006, the 6-foot-5, 395 lb. behemoth was unable to qualify academically to enroll at any university.

Cody spent two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College where he compiled 79 tackles and 6.0 sacks as a key piece of the Bulldog defense. In 2007, Cody led a defensive front that finished first in the NJCAA in rush yards allowed and his team finished 12-0 and won a share of the national title.

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Despite a solid two seasons in Junior College, many programs were concerned with Cody's size and as he had bulked up even more, growing to around 410 lbs. by his sophomore year. After slimming down to 385 lbs.; however, offers began to pour in for the unique prospect.

Cody received offers from many SEC programs, but ultimately rolled with the Crimson Tide, opting to take Saban up on his offer to become the true nose guard in the coach's 3-4 defense.

The junior slimmed down even further, dropping to 360 lbs. ahead of the 2008 season, and took over as the starter heading into Alabama's Week 1 game against Clemson.

Against the Tigers, Cody was an immediate impact. The Tide routed Clemson, 34-10, and the new addition to the defensive front made it clear he would be a problem to get past for many games to come.

Alabama finished the 2008 season on the cusp of a national title berth, and despite high interest from the NFL after being named a unanimous All-American and All-SEC selection, Cody opted to pass on the draft and return for his senior year.

Luckily he did, as it it weren't for Mount Cody, Saban's run may have never gotten off the ground.

The most memorable moment of Cody's career came on October 24, 2008 against the Tennessee Volunteers. Alabama entered the game undefeated, ranked second in the nation, and the Volunteers were reeling from the departure of Philip Fulmer the year before, sitting at 3-4.

Despite what looked to be an insurmountable obstacle for Tennessee, Rocky Top came to Tuscaloosa and gave Alabama the fight of a lifetime.

In a game that saw a total of just 22 points scored, Cody blocked not one, but two crucial field goals that kept Tennessee at bay and the Crimson Tide's national title hopes alive.

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Alabama finished the 2009 season undefeated, earning revenge against the Florida Gators for the year before and winning the first national title of the Saban era.

Cody was once again named an unanimous All-American and All-SEC selection for his play and entered the 2010 NFL Draft where he was selected 57th overall to the Baltimore Ravens.

As a rookie in 2010, Cody saw time in 13 games as a rotational player, finishing the year with 13 tackles.

In his second season, the former three-star took over as a starter for all 16 games and helped the Ravens finish the year with the league's second best run defense. Although his playing time took a step back in 2012, Cody played a role on Baltimore's Super Bowl winning team as a rotational player once more.

The Fort Myers native spent two more years with the Ravens before being released ahead of the 2015 season, and has not signed with a team since.

While his playing days look to be behind him, Cody's accomplishments at every level of football make his career one of legendary status.

Stay locked in to Tide1009.com for the countdown to Alabama football, and check out the rest of the list here.