From walk on, to ascending and becoming a captain on the football team, along with being a top MEAC standout. Brandon Codrington is more than a talented player.
Born and raised in North Carolina, playing football is something familiar and “fortunate” to NCCU football defensive back and specialist, Brandon Codrington.
Codrington, a high school standout at Needham B. Broughton in Raleigh, came to NCCU in 2019, staying close to those who would be watching him ascend to the next level.
“Staying in North Carolina has allowed me to be fortunate enough for all my family and friends to be able to watch me play but it’s also made me realize that I’ve kind of outgrown North Carolina,” Codrington said.
Coming to NCCU in 2019 “no one really paid me any attention,” Codrington said.
Now getting ready to head into the fall 2022 season, Codrington is a team captain and was named to the BOXTOROW HBCU All American Football Team. (a group of national media members who cover HBCU football.)
“I would describe my journey as hard and intense because I came in as a walk-on, so no one really paid me any attention and everything I got was earned. So now that I’m on full scholarship it’s shown that although I still need to continue to work hard, everything I did to this point has paid off so far,” Codrington said.
In 2021 Codrington averaged a MEAC best 15.0 yards per punt return. which was third in NCAA Division 1-FCS. While also playing defensive back, Codrington ranked second in the league while averaging 22.5 yards per kickoff return.
Coaches and teammates, as well as Codrington, believe his value this year will be at an all-time high, after people noticed his hard work and dedication to the team. With him taking more responsibilities on and off the field and being experienced, according to Codrington.
High school teammate DaBreyn Belfield, A junior, and Wide Receiver on the NCCU football team, noticed before their collegiate playing days the importance of consistently working. Belfield specifically remembers how hard Codrington would work.
“He has constantly been getting better and better every year. The amount of training he does alone sets him apart from everyone else, with him being extremely athletic, playing on defense, and being a terrific punt and kick returner,” Belfield said.
North Carolina Central's Brandon Codrington returns punt 77 yards to the house to extend lead against Alcorn State.
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Codrington, who has draft aspirations, can admit at least some of his dreams have already come true, yet one big dream has still not been crossed off the list.
“So far some of them have come true, like becoming an All American and starting. No, they haven’t all come true yet, my ultimate goal is to play in the NFL,” Codrington said.
After earning a scholarship, becoming a starter on defense, and being a special team threat, Codrington has worked himself to a leadership position. Coming off an ALL-MEAC first team year, Codrington will look to improve his draft resume to pursue his dream of “playing professional football.”
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