Ball State head football coach Mike Neu thought why surprise one of his walk-on players with a full-ride scholarship himself when he could bring in FS1 host Jason Whitlock to do it for him.

Whitlock, who was an offensive lineman for Ball State from 1985 to 1989 before he became a sports journalist, Facetimed into a team meeting so he could offer inspiration to the Cardinals before delivering some wonderful news to Cody Rudy, a redshirt sophomore fullback.

During the team meeting, Whitlock talked about former Ball State football players who made a big impact on their respective squads. The last player he spoke of was Blaine Bishop, “the greatest player probably in Ball State history,” according to Whitlock. Bishop walked onto the team and ended up being a four-time Pro Bowl selection.

“And (Bishop) reminds me — this is going to blow your mind when I say this of who he reminds me of — but he reminds me of Cody Rudy, a guy who walked on and has proven he is worthy of a scholarship.”

The entire room erupted with the news and hugged Rudy while chanting “Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!” The whole scene was very reminiscent of Rudy, the 1993 sports film about Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, who long dreamed of playing football at Notre Dame despite having a learning disability and being significantly undersized.

 

 

Ball State’s Rudy has also had obstacles to overcome. He was accidentally shot in the back in May, but made a quick recovery.

 

 

Rudy grew up on a farm in Shenandoah, Virginia and became a two-time All-State selection in football before arriving at Ball State.

“The most valuable thing I learned from growing up on a farm is just to work hard, and I think that kind of not only comes from the farm, but also from what my parents taught me growing up was that things just aren’t given to you,” he said last spring a short film produced by Ball State. “You have to work for them.”

How prophetic is that?