Volunteer Legacy Talks Recruiting

Cody Riggs is considered by many one of 2010 most elite defensive backs in the nation. He is currently considered the 8th best cornerback and member of the prestigious ESPNU 150. Riggs, 5’8.5 and 154 pounds, is a member of the nation’s most explosive high school secondary. High profiled recruits such as Lamarcus Joyner, Keion Payne, and Brian Robinson, all share time at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. Volnation was able to speak with Riggs and discuss his current recruitment and future college plans.

“Everything is going really good right now,” said Riggs. “I’m not really sure on all my official visits, but I definitely have one for Tennessee. Nothing else has really changed. Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, and Notre Dame are all recruiting me the hardest of any of the schools”

Riggs discussed how the Volunteers have been maintaining constant communication with him for an extended amount of time.

“Coach Gran speaks with me the most often,” said Riggs. “We have a really good relationship. I speak with him and mostly all the coaches at least three times a week through mail or whatever. I haven’t spoken with all of them, but Coach Gran is trying to get me in contact with Coach Kiffin. Every time he is free and contacts me, but I am at practice. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to speak with him.”

Tennessee is competing with some of college football most prestigious programs for the chance to lure in Riggs. The defensive back went into detail of what he is looking for in his college choice.

“I’m looking for a place that I feel most comfortable at,” said Riggs. “I’m looking for a solid game day environment, academics, coaching at my position that knows what he is doing, and the ability to make it to that next level.”

Playing for a program such as STA is a stepping stone for major division one college football. Riggs is blessed to play with nationally ranked players and for hall of fame coaches. He still believes there are some things that he needs to work on to become dominant at the next level.

“My biggest weakness would be gambling,” said Riggs. “I’m not sure if it is a weakness because I have done it mostly at the right times. As far as strengths, I would say my make up speed, my hips, and my ball control.”

Cody discussed the future possibility of suiting up with some of his current teammates.

“Of course we talk about going to the same school to play,” said Riggs. “I talk about it with Keion, Lamarcus, Gio, Linder, and James White. I was hoping Gio would come up to Tennessee on September 12th (UCLA) with me. I don’t know if that is going to work out. I think Keion and Palardy will be up there that weekend.”

Many Volunteer fans remember the last name Riggs. Cody’s older brother rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2004 for the Vols. He quickly discussed his relationship with the Tennessee program and his brother’s influence.

“I’ve never been up to Tennessee for my visit,” said Riggs. “I’ve been up there to see my brother play multiple times. The decision is up to me, but he definitely talks to me about it. He tells me about Tennessee. He pushes me in that direction.”

Riggs finished our conversation explaining when he is planning on announcing his final destination.

“I will decide sometime after October 17th,” said Riggs. “That is the date of my last official visit.”

Evaluation

Riggs has marginal size, but is a very active, quick-footed corner with good man-to-man coverage skills. Plays and looks a bit bigger but his short, lean frame is a concern when he has to press, re-route and keep proper leverage versus today’s bigger college receivers. Overall, he shows very good footwork, speed and quickness on the perimeter. A quick-twitched athlete. Fluid pedal and he transitions smoothly breaking underneath with little wasted motion. Plants and closes on the underneath pass with good burst. Does a great job anticipating the pass. Jumps and undercuts a lot of routes. Will surprise you with the force he generates in the short area when separating the ball from the receiver. Flashes very good breaking and redirection quickness. Mirrors tightly and is difficult for receivers to create separation on off the line and out of their breaks. Displays good vertical speed when locked down on faster receivers. Retains proper inside leverage and breaks up a lot of passes with his play-side hand. Attacks the football with good high-point skills masking his height. His ball skills, adjustment and overall comfort level around the football in deep coverage is excellent. While we like his speed, quickness and overall skill set as a cover-corner, we do have concerns about his ability to matchup physically at the next level. Could struggle defending the jump ball and maintaining proper positioning versus today’s taller, more powerful receivers. Will close the cushion fast, but isn’t a guy who projects well as a hard Cover 2 corner who needs to consistently set the edge in run support at this time. Can get turned and does show he is susceptible to the double move at times. Can let receivers slip behind him at times, but has the quickness to recover in high school. Still projects very high.

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