Former Missouri running back Cody Schrader has a couple of choices: he can either remain with the San Francisco 49ers or return to his hometown of St. Louis. On Wednesday, the St. Louis Battlehawks selected Schrader in the second round (13th overall) of the United Football League College Draft. However, this doesn’t mean he’s leaving the 49ers just yet. Schrader is currently with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent. Because of his UDFA contract, he was eligible for the UFL draft. If Schrader doesn’t make San Francisco’s 53-man roster, he could opt to play in the UFL, where the Battlehawks now hold his rights.
Schrader, who initially joined Mizzou as a walk-on after his high school career at Lutheran South in St. Louis and at Division II Truman State, was the SEC’s leading rusher last season and set Mizzou’s single-season rushing record with 1,627 yards.
Mizzou quarterback Brady Cook, wide receiver Luther Burden III, and Schrader have all emphasized the importance of St. Louis in their football careers. Schrader expressed his pride in playing in his hometown, especially after a victory over Memphis last year in St. Louis.
NFL teams must cut their rosters from 90 to 53 players by August 27. Former Mizzou defensive lineman Trajan Jeffcoat was also drafted into the UFL, chosen by the Birmingham Stallions with the final pick of the sixth round. Jeffcoat, who spent five seasons at Mizzou before transferring to Arkansas, is currently with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent.
In addition to Schrader, the Battlehawks selected nine other former college players, including five who are currently on NFL rosters: ex-Virginia Tech defensive lineman Pheldarius Payne (Houston Texans), ex-South Dakota State wide receiver Jadon Janke (Houston Texans), former UCLA linebacker Carl Jones Jr. (Chicago Bears), receiver Jelani Baker from D-II Limestone (Baltimore Ravens), and former Duke cornerback Miles Jones (New York Jets). The Battlehawks also picked former San Jose State quarterback Chevan Cordeiro in the first round, former Vanderbilt offensive lineman Bradley Ashmore in the fourth round, ex-Oklahoma defensive tackle Isaiah Coe in the sixth round, and ex-Georgia Tech cornerback Myles Sims in the ninth round. Cordeiro had previously signed a UDFA deal with the Seattle Seahawks but was released in early May.
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