By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
As a freshman earning playing time at running back and safety for Garfield High School, Amir Codrington is learning quickly that what worked in youth football doesn’t always work against varsity competition.
At 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, Codrington has already worked his way into the Bulldogs’ rotation while adjusting to opponents who are older, bigger and stronger. The transition has forced him to rethink how he plays and recognize the areas where he still needs to develop.
“In youth football, I was more physical, I was dominant,” said Codrington. “Now playing at the varsity level, I think I’ve changed to more of an elusive back.”
Codrington also competes in the 100-meter dash and long jump, and he has learned to rely more on his speed and elusiveness as he adjusts to varsity competition. At the same time, he recognizes that competing against older and more physically developed players will require him to become stronger.
“I think I need to work on my physicality,” said Codrington. “I need to gain more weight to be more dominant at the varsity level. I’m only a freshman, so I can’t really push guys out of the way when I need to because they outweigh me and they’re taller. I have to put on more weight to help that.”
Garfield Head Coach Robert Jones sees that adjustment as part of the natural development of a young player whose athletic ability has allowed him to contribute early.
“Amir is a great young man who has a lot of potential and ability,” said Jones. “He’s continuing to grow and learn and understand the game of football, as well as the individual schemes that we are implementing both offensively and defensively.”
For Jones, the next stage of Codrington’s development isn’t simply about becoming bigger or stronger. It also involves gaining a deeper understanding of the details that become increasingly important at the varsity level.
“His strengths are definitely his passion for the game and his physical ability,” said Jones. “Where he’s developing is more of understanding the game as it evolves, the X’s and O’s, positioning, and more detailed information. That’s the transition happening right now.”
Codrington is learning those lessons at a school where football carries significance beyond what happens on Friday nights. For generations, Garfield High School and its athletic programs have been closely connected to Seattle’s Central District, producing athletes who have gone on to compete at the collegiate and professional levels while serving as a gathering point for families throughout the community.
For Codrington, that history is also personal.
Born in Rainier Beach before moving closer to the heart of Seattle, Codrington grew up with family ties to both Garfield and rival Franklin High School. When it came time to choose a high school, he had several options, including private schools such as O’Dea and Bishop Blanchet, but ultimately decided Garfield was where he wanted to play.
“All my family members went to Garfield, though my mom and uncles went to Franklin, so that’s always been a rivalry in the household,” said Codrington. “I had options to go to different schools, but I ultimately chose Garfield.”
The decision gave Codrington an opportunity to begin creating his own identity within a program he already knew well. Although he is only beginning his freshman season, he isn’t hesitant about where he would eventually like football to take him.
“My ultimate goal is to go D1 and have that pay for my college, and if God willing, go to the NFL after that,” said Codrington.
If he has his choice, Codrington would like to remain in the Pacific Northwest and play for the University of Washington. His plans, however, extend beyond football. He is interested in studying criminal justice in college and eventually becoming an attorney, giving him another goal to pursue if his playing career ends.
Those long-term ambitions are still years away. Right now, Codrington is developing alongside a Garfield roster that is going through many of the same growing pains he is.
Jones describes this year’s Bulldogs as a young team with talent at the skill positions but still learning how to put those pieces together consistently.
“Overall, the team this year is young, a lot of youth, a lot of kids wanting to learn and understand the game,” said Jones. “Overall, I think our potential is great. These kids just have to believe in themselves and believe in what they’re doing, and really embrace the game of football.”
That youth hasn’t lowered Codrington’s expectations for the season. He believes the Bulldogs have enough talent to reach the postseason if they can continue developing as a team.
“I really want to see us go to the playoffs this year,” said Codrington. “We definitely have the potential. We have the right people and the right pieces; we just have to make the right moves.”
For Codrington, the season is therefore about more than establishing himself as a freshman capable of contributing at the varsity level. His individual development and Garfield’s development are unfolding at the same time. Both involve learning, adjusting and trying to turn potential into results.
And while Codrington is candid about what he still needs to improve, he is equally clear about how he and his teammates respond to people who don’t expect much from a young Garfield team.
“There are a lot of people who are doubting us right now,” said Codrington. “We take that as motivation. If they want to doubt us, they can stay on that side. I’m just ready to make an impact on this game.”
