Offensive lineman Casey Roddick studied psychology when he attended Colorado (Amanda Scurlock/L.A. Sentinel)
Junior offensive lineman Casey Roddick was the captain of the Colorado Buffaloes football team during the 2022-2023 season.
“Everybody looks up to me to lead by example,” Roddick said. “So if I’m not leading by example, then everybody else isn’t in line as well.”
Roddick recently transferred to Florida State University to help build depth to their offensive line.
A native of Ojai, Calif. Roddick saw a significant amount of playing time throughout his career with the Buffs, playing in 42 games and making 30 starts. He started in all 12 games this season, playing in 707 offensive snaps. His efforts helped the offense get 86 rushing first downs and aided the Colorado quarterbacks corps to complete 179 passes. Roddick led the Buffs with nine touchdown blocks.
Related Stories
Top Sports Moments of 2022
No. 13 UCLA Wins Eighth Straight; Defeats UC Davis 81-54
In his career, Roddick has competed in 1,946 snaps; This season, he made a career-high 65.3 overall grade and earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention.
Roddick also faced obstacles. While battling a bout of COVID-19 in January 2020, he was diagnosed with myocarditis, a disease that inflames the heart muscle. The diagnosis forced him off the football field and question if he would ever play football again.
However, the myocarditis subsided five months later and he was able to compete again.
“It was a lot of doctor’s visits, a lot of MRIs to do,” Roddick said. “I wasn’t gonna let something that’s out of my hands, out of my reach deter me from the dream that I once had.”
During his time in Colorado, Roddick studied psychology. A class that resonated with him was advanced cognitive neuroscience.
“[That] was one of the classes that I struggled with, but also it taught me a lot in terms of how people operate and how different people differ in certain situations as well,” he said. “That’s definitely one of the classes that took me by storm.”
Colorado also equipped him with professional development resources.
“Colorado knows how to deal with school … but more importantly, it deals with the afterlife and how the alumni can help you with how to deal with getting a job,” Roddick said. “I think that Colorado definitely equips you for certain aspects.”
Roddick attended St Bonaventure high school in Ventura, Calif., and became the Marmonte League Offensive Lineman of the Year. He was also the third highest offensive guard prospect in California and the 30th highest prospect in the country.
Outside of academics and athletics, Roddick volunteers for the Boys and Girls Club and the community youth league Next Level Flag Football.
“I get to go out there and help kids and coach kids,” he said. “I feel like that’s one thing that I can give back.”
