Josh Woods looks to contribute in his final year with Maryland football

Profiles in Terpage is back for 2017. Last week, we focused on the cornerbacks; this week, we’re continuing through the secondary with Safeties Week.

Josh Woods, S, No. 10

Height: 6’1
Weight: 204 pounds
Year: Senior
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
High school: McDonogh

How he got to College Park

Woods was a three-star defensive back and the No. 22 player in Maryland according to 247Sports Composite. He committed to Maryland in November of his senior year, choosing the Terps over Delaware and Virginia. As a senior, Woods led McDonogh to its first MIAA A conference title and was an all-state selection.

He appeared mostly on special teams his first two seasons before shifting from cornerback to safety. Woods played in 10 games last year, making five starts and recording 41 tackles.

Career highlight

Woods had five tackles and broke up his only pass of the year in Maryland’s win against Michigan State last season.

2017 prospectus

Woods will likely return to being a rotational safety, with Darnell Savage and Denzel Conyers returning as the probable starters. Coach DJ Durkin will look to count on Woods to provide quality snaps in their relief, as well as help bring along a crop of safeties that is deep, but fairly young outside of the aforementioned three. Though his on-the-field role might not see him play the most, Woods will be relied upon in the locker room to help his teammates with the X’s and O’s of the schemes.

Dream season

Woods is one of the first safeties to sub in, and Durkin relies on him for a decent amount of snaps each outing. He has a solid senior season, rewarding the coaches’ expectations with consistent effort. He becomes a leader in the secondary, despite not regularly starting, before beginning an expressed desire to get into coaching.

There’s a five-way tie with Scaletta, Malaclemys and America’s Roundtable, say_al, Terpluvian and aurelianus all on the board this week.