Before he enrolled at Georgia Tech in June, freshman defensive end Jordan Woods had been studying Boston College game video.
But not just the Eagles’ offense. He had been looking at its defense, too.
“Because when we go to scout team, I’m out there, and I’m going to position myself just like (the B.C. player),” Woods said. “I’m going to work on you (the Tech offensive players) like he was working on you so when you go out there, there’s no room for confusion. You’re going to be able to do what you need to do.”
Woods is ready to make an impact and, in his words, “touch the world through football.” One of the most highly sought-after players in the Tech signing class, Woods could be an impact player as early as this fall.
“I believe I’m going to have a good year,” he said. “I believe you’re going to see what Coach (Paul) Johnson’s building.”
Woods, from Citra, Fla., kept himself busy prior to his enrollment watching Tech game video.
“I work out,” he said. “I run the miles, do whatever I need to do physically, but it’s really preparing myself mentally, as far as learning the plays, knowing that and getting it in my mind. I can play with these cats early on.”
At defensive end, Woods could challenge for playing time at the strongside end spot, where Rod Rook-Chungong is a returning starter. Desmond Branch, who transferred prior to the spring semester, is his backup.
Woods was pursued Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Miami, among others. He was rated a three- and four-star prospect by various recruiting services and was twice an all-state selection. He is 6-foot-3 and 262 pounds. As a high-school sophomore, he ran the 100-meter dash in 11.96 seconds.
A-backs coach Lamar Owens was his area recruiter, and defensive-line coach Mike Pelton tag-teamed, helping make Woods a valued late commitment . A rather interesting observation from Woods about both and their home visits:
“If you’ve been around Coach Owens, he won’t take his shoes off,” Woods said. “Coach Pelton is totally the opposite. Coach Pelton will take his shoes of, take his belt off, untuck his shirt. He’s a very funny guy. He gets comfortable.”
Regardless of his home-visit style, Owens described Woods as versatile, mature beyond his years, possessing a high football IQ and an avid student of game video.
Said Owens: “I think he really bought into it what we were selling here at Georgia Tech about ATL – athletics, tradition, life after football.”
While he has confidence in his ability to make a difference at defensive end this season, Woods presents himself as a team-first player.
“If Coach Johnson is like, We’ve got to place you at tight end, or, I’m thinking about putting you at one of the receiver spots, I’m down for it, because I can do it,” said Woods, who at least doesn’t need to worry about being moved to tight end.
Wherever he goes, Woods is reaching for the top.
“Hopefully, I’ll be the greatest Yellow Jacket of all time,” he said. “Not only athletically – academically, spiritually. And if I don’t make it to the pros, hopefully I’ll be the one out of six that’s a millionaire.”
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