Interview with Jevaughn Codlin of Kansas Wesleyan

Draft Profile:

• Jevaughn Codlin, Kansas Wesleyan
• Size: 5’9” 170 lbs
• Position: Cornerback

Career stats: 145 tackles, 45 PBU, 3 INT, 2 FR, 1 FF 

Recruiting and High School:

Danny Podolsky:

Jevaughn, first and foremost, tell me about your high school career, and the recruiting process. 

Jevaughn Codlin: 

My high school career was very up and down. I wanted to play at a traditional school, I first played at Atlantic High School, and then I transferred to Village Academy before my junior year. In my junior year, I tore my ACL after the fourth game. I had a lot of interest at the time, but after the injury, all I had left was my senior year. However, I came back about four months after the surgery. I had a great year, I lead the county in interceptions; I had six interceptions, and returned them all for a touchdown. Then I started garnering a lot of interest from FIU, Middle Tennesse, the University of Missouri, Georgia Southern, Stony Brook, and Wagner.

The schools wanted to pull the trigger and give me an offer, but I ran into a situation with my immigration issue because I was born in Jamaica, and moved here when I was nine. I found that because of my status, I wasn’t able to receive any money from the government, any loans, any financial aid or anything. So then I informed all of the schools about that, and then no one wanted to offer me anything.

I was very coveted before signing day, and I ended up getting an offer to go to the school that I’m at now, Kansas Wesleyan. I told them about my situation, and they told me it didn’t matter, and they would do whatever it took to get me there. Initially, I didn’t want to go to an NAIA, but it got to the point where I just wanted to play ball, and get away from my hometown. I then took a visit here, and it’s been great ever since. 

College Career:

Podolsky: 

How would you sum up your career at Kansas Wesleyan? 

Codlin: 

It was filled with a lot of adversity since I had to battle a lot of injuries. I came in as a freshman, and started from day one; I started every game ever since that year. But, I had to battle injuries and just personal issues that I had to overcome. I lost my starting position my junior year because of my hamstring injury that hindered my play and hurt my confidence. As a cornerback, you need confidence, so I had to overcome that and come back my senior year.

My senior year I had a great year and was an all-conference player. I only gave up five receptions throughout the year, on 40 targets so I feel like I had a really great year, and I got an invite to play in the all-star game. I went down to the FCS bowl, had a really strong weekend, met a lot of scouts, and built some relationships. So my career was definitely not what I initially worked for, but it was something that has made me want to keep going harder throughout this process. 

Podolsky:

What would you consider to be the highlight of your college career?

Codlin: 

It wasn’t an individual award, but a team award. We won our conference for the first time since 2002 in 2018, and 2019. Being back-to-back conference champions was definitely the highlight of my college career. 

Podolsky:

What would you tell other high school players about the NAIA who may have hopes of playing college football, but don’t have any NCAA offers?

Codlin:

I would tell those guys that football is football, and if you ball, then they will find you. You can go to the NFL, or the next level, from any level. That’s why I never transferred. I had opportunities to transfer after my sophomore year; I got an offer from St.Francis in Pennsylvania which is division one NCAA. My immigration thing was the reason I wasn’t able to go, but I felt like God wanted me to be here. It doesn’t matter where you go, or where you finish; it’s about persevering, and getting the job done, and they will find you. So that’s what I would tell guys who are coming into the NAIA behind me. 

Pro Day

Podolsky:

When is your Pro Day? What have you been doing to train for your pro day?

Codlin:

March 13th. I’ve been training at Sharp Performance, and also the Bay Coaching Facility up in Florida. I started the first part of my training in Florida for the first two months and then finished the rest here in Kansas with Jake Sharp who played running back at the University of Kansas. He’s been getting us right, me and a few of my teammates so we feel like we’re prepared to perform in front of these guys next week. So I’m definitely looking forward to that experience, and just enjoying it with a couple of my teammates. 

Podolsky:

What are you hoping to show scouts at your pro day?

Codlin:

I know a lot of the scouts are waiting for me to run and see what I can do. I’m definitely going to run in the sub 4.4s, high 4.4s, or worst-case scenario, maybe a low 4.5. I know that once they see that speed, it’s going to open up a lot more doors. They’re going to see position drills, and they will see that I’m the most polished and technical defensive back out there. My hips, my feet; that’s going to catch their eyes.

I’m going to jump high. Definitely going to have an over 37” vertical. Probably going to do at least 20 reps on the bench. I’ll definitely do at least 17 reps on the bench. They’ll see that while I am a smaller guy, I’m definitely strong, and I’m explosive. I have great feet, fluid hips, transitions, so that’s what I think a lot of teams are going to like about me. 

Codlin’s Future with Football:

Podolsky:

Is there one cornerback, either currently in the NFL, or retired that you try to model your game after?

Codlin:

I definitely want to model my game after Tyrann Mathieu or Darius Slay. Darius Slay is very technical, he plays the corner position with a lot of swagger, and technicality. I definitely feel like that’s the type of player I am. I say Tyrann Mathieu as well because of his physicality, and I know that when I get to the next level, I’ll get moved to the inside, and play a lot more slot corner. So watching him, and watching his film, and trying to model my game after him is something that I’ve been doing these past few months while I prepare. 

Podolsky:

What do you consider to be your best strength as a cornerback?

Codlin:

For me, my biggest strength is that I’m a technician. I’m definitely technically sound, and that’s put me in the position to make a lot of plays. I’m not a guy that goes away from my technique or tries to play above my technique. 

Podolsky:

What do you believe is the most important aspect of being a good cornerback? 

Codlin:

I feel like the most important aspect to being a good cornerback is confidence. If you’re out there, and timid, and not as confident, then you’re not going to make plays. If you’re worried about getting beat, or the play before, then you’re going to have a long night. When you are on the island, you have to know that that’s your island, and you take pride in locking someone down, so confidence is definitely the best trait to have. 

Podolsky:

Jevaughn, what would your teammates say about you as a teammate and a player?

Codlin: 

I think they would say that I’m a leader. I’m a guy who looks out for his teammates, and I put the team above myself. I’m definitely a hard-worker, they will say I’m the hardest worker in the room for sure. Also, I’m the type of guy that shows up early and stays after to get extra work. I try to bring other guys up with me so they will definitely say I’m a team guy first; I’m a leader, and lead-by-example type of guy by doing the right thing off the field. 

Podolsky:

Do you see yourself getting drafted into the NFL?

Codlin:

No; I think I’m going to be a camp-invite guy. A guy that’s going to have to come in and do whatever it takes. Just being realistic about the situation, I’m going to be one of those guys. 

Podolsky:

If the NFL doesn’t work out, would you consider playing in a different league such as the XFL?

Codlin:

The NFL is definitely the end goal, but as I’ve been told recently going through this process, the object is to stay relevant. I’m going to do whatever it takes to stay relevant in order to achieve my goals. 

Podolsky:

Jevaughn, who has had the biggest influence on you outside of football?

Codlin:

I would say my aunt has had the biggest influence on me outside of football. She’s definitely the strength behind my strength. Everything she’s done for me and sacrificed for me up to this point. So she’s definitely someone that I look up to, and she’s influenced my life in a major way. 

Podolsky:

Jevaughn here is my final question: if I’m an NFL team, why should I draft you?

Codlin:

I’m someone who will buy into the team, I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. I’m not really worried about getting on the field, I’m more concerned on learning the playbook, and coming in, and competing for a position. I’ll play whatever position they want me to play. Anything they need me to do, I’m definitely going to work hard. There won’t be any off-the-field issues with me. I’ll always be early, on time, never late. Never going to be lackadaisical. I’m locked in every day. I’m definitely coachable, and it’s tough to pass up on someone like that who gives 110% every day. I’ll do whatever it takes.

Finally, I’d like to thank Jevaughn Codlin for taking the time to answer my questions.  
Follow Jevaughn @_jcod here, and follow me @PodolskyDanny here! 

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