Jordan Woods explains transfer decision

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 02: The Wramblin Wreck leads the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets onto the field to face the Pittsburgh Panthers at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 2, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 02: The Wramblin Wreck leads the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets onto the field to face the Pittsburgh Panthers at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 2, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Jordan Woods, the Georgia Tech freshman defensive end who left the team this past week , said he had been considering transferring for a while but only reached his final decision in recent days.

“It’s been a while since I made the decision, but I wanted to give spring (practice) a try,” Woods said.

One of the most sought-after members of Tech’s 2016 signing class, Woods sat out the 2016 season after tearing the labrum in his shoulder. He returned to the practice field for spring practice before ultimately deciding to transfer. Woods said he wants to return to his home state of Florida to continue his career.

“I just felt like (transferring) was something that needed to be done,” Woods said. “There’s basically not too much more to say on it.”

Woods said he will leave Tech with no hard feelings. He called the year at Tech “useful” and said he would not dissuade a high-school prospect from selecting the school.

“It was a process,” he said. “It was definitely a page in my life story.”

The injury was a considerable setback for Woods. Near the start of spring practice, defensive line coach Mike Pelton said that Woods was at “square one” in his development after having missed the 2016 season.

Woods said that playing time was not a factor in his decision and that he thought he could play for the Yellow Jackets. He thanked fans for their support.

“Just thank you to everybody,” he said. “I love them and I’m keeping everybody in prayer.”