Josh Cody - Early Life and Education

Early Life and Education

Josh Cody was born and raised in Franklin, Tennessee, where he attended Battle Ground Academy.

In 1914, at the age of 22, he enrolled at Vanderbilt University and played football for legendary coach Dan McGugin. At 6 foot, 4 inches, and 225 pounds, Cody played offensive and defensive tackle, but was versatile enough to play quarterback, running back and place-kicker at times. He was known as a sure tackler and fierce blocker who helped the Commodores score 1,099 points in thirty-five games (31.4 points per game). Vanderbilt was 23–9–1 in his four seasons, including 21–3–3 in his final three years. He was also a member of the basketball, baseball and track and field teams at Vanderbilt, earning thirteen varsity letters in all.

In Cody's freshman year, Vanderbilt finished with a 2–6 record, McGugin's first losing season and only the second losing season in the school's twenty-five years of playing football. In his second game, a 23–3 loss to Michigan in Ann Arbor, Cody converted a 45-yard drop kick field goal. In his fifth game, a 20–7 loss to Virginia, Cody threw a touchdown pass to Irby "Rabbit" Curry, the team's regular quarterback.

Cody received his first All-America honor in 1914 from Outing magazine. In 1915, Vanderbilt finished with a 9–1 record, and Cody earned his second All-America honor from Walter Camp. The Commodores outscored their opponents by an incredible 514–38. Their only loss was a 35–10 setback to Virginia. In 1916, Cody helped Vanderbilt to a 7–1–1 record, but was not recognize as an All-American.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War I as a lieutenant in 1917 and 1918, then returned to Vanderbilt for his senior year in 1919. The Commodores finished 5–1–2, and Cody was named an All-American for the third time, again by Walter Camp, to become the only Vanderbilt athlete to be named a three-time All-American.