The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Woods is type of player every team needs
Wide receiver William Woods took an extended path to John Carroll. But once he arrived, he became an emotional leader. He also made the biggest catch of the season in 2016, writes Mark Podolski.
William Woods’ journey to John Carroll is a bit of a long one, but not as long as his dreadlocks.
“I haven’t cut my hair since 2005,” said Woods, a senior wide receiver. “But I’m cutting them off at the end of the season. I’m ready to let them go.”
Perhaps that decision signifies a cutting of the cord on a football career that began at an age 7 with his uncles teaching him the fundamentals of football: “Blocking and tackling,” said Woods. More on that later.
His college journey has been long one. It’s involved three transfers, a memorable debut at LSU and a touchdown that might go down as the most important in the history of John Carroll football.
That’s not the entire story about Woods.
First, about those dreadlocks. They definitely stand out. When he arrived at JCU in 2016, and met freshman quarterback Anthony Moeglin, the dreadlocks made for a great conversation starter.
“(Moeglin) was like, ‘You’re exactly what we need. You’ll put us over the hump.’ “said Woods on what Moeglin told him early in 2016.
That prediction was spot on, as Woods emerged from being an emotional leader and the team’s top blocking receiver to haul in a 24-yard touchdown pass from Moeglin with 39 seconds left in the game to defeat Mount Union, 31-28.
The win gave JCU the outright Ohio Athletic Conference title, a spot in the Division III playoffs and ended the Purple Raiders’ 112-game regular-season winning streak.
It was Woods’ only TD of the season. His 2016 season totals were pedestrian — 22 catches and 168 yards.
His biggest contributions — many of his teammates say — go beyond any statistic.
“Talk about a guy who grinded all year,” said Moeglin. “He was definitely a huge morale guy for us all year. Always positive, always doing the right things.
“For him to get that catch in the biggest part of our season, it was just perfect.”
Junior defensive end Ray Brown was familiar with Woods during their high school days. Woods is a Shaw graduate, and Brown played at St. Ignatius.
From Day 1, Woods set an example for the underclassmen, said Brown.
“He sacrificed plays, catches for the betterment of the team,” said Brown. “Helping out with blocks and sometimes just running routes as the third, fourth option. (Catching that TD against Mount Union) was a great moment for a great guy.”
Now for Woods’ journey to JCU. He attended Kent State on a full scholarship, and redshirted in 2012. By the third game of 2013, Woods caught his first college pass in a game at LSU.
However, his stay at Kent didn’t pan out, and he transferred to Alabama State, but only spent a summer semester there. From there, it was onto to Grambling State. A problem with a number of credit hours not accepted at Grambling nearly cost Woods his football career. The credit hours issue unofficially made him ineligible at the Louisiana university.
“Essentially, they were telling me my football career was over,“said Woods.
He decided to return to Northeast Ohio. But Woods had few opportunities for playing college football. The NCAA told Woods Division III was his only option.
His mother Stacy Ashford contacted former JCU coach Tom Arth about her son. Arth was interested.
Upon arriving at JCU, Woods believed 2016 would be his last year of eligibility, but by the fourth game of last season, the NCAA told Woods he had two years to play. He’s been “home” ever since.
“Last year, it was just fun being out there because I thought it was over,” said Woods. “To get another year to play is special.”
Expect Woods to play a bigger role in JCU’s passing attack this fall. It begins on Sept. 2, when No. 8-ranked JCU host No. 4 Wisconsin-Oshkosh in a huge nonconference game.
First-year coach Rick Finotti is still getting to know his players, but Woods has stood out.
“He comes into my office every day and asks how I’m doing,” said Finotti. “He truly cares about everyone. You win with character like that.”
Finotti should know. In 2010, when St. Edward won the Division I state title, a player with a similar back story as Woods made a huge impact.
Former St. Ed player Pat Berry came off the bench and scored a key TD for the Eagles vs. Huber Heights Wayne in the state championship game.
“His only catch all year,” said Finotti. “He’s just like Willie. Character, a guy you want your son to be like. Does everything right. Those stories bring a tear to your eye.”
And a smile to coaches faces.