Woods offers senior leadership at linebacker for Redhawks

A move to bolster Southeast Missouri State's linebacker corps last year paid dividends not only for the Redhawks but also Josh Woods.

Woods hopes to pick up where he left off in 2008 after making the switch from cornerback.

"It's been a lot of fun, but I still have a lot more to improve on," Woods said Saturday after Southeast's first intrasquad scrimmage.

Woods saw action as a backup cornerback in the first six games of 2008 following his transfer from West Los Angeles Community College.

Then came the move to outside linebacker at the suggestion of Southeast linebackers coach and former NFL player Troy Dumas.

Junior wide receiver Miles Edwards, center, leaps for a pass as junior defensive back Bryan Blanfort, right, tries to make a play on the ball during Southeast's intrasquad scrimmage Saturday at Houck Stadium. (LAURA SIMON ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian)

"They felt I was physical enough," Woods said. "Coach Dumas lobbied for it. That's my man."

Woods, listed at 5 foot 10 and 200 pounds, proved more than physical and strong enough despite being small for a linebacker. His speed was an added bonus.

Woods was among Southeast's most productive defensive players over the last half of the season. He registered 44 tackles after earning a starting spot at linebacker for the final six games. He ended the year third on the team with 11 tackles for loss and tied for third with 2.5 sacks.

Woods recorded double-figure tackles in three straight games during one late-season stretch.

"He came on when we moved him. He really made plays," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said. "He's very strong, very fast and he's got a nose for the football."

Running back Terry Porter, top left, takes a blow from linebacker Joshua Jackson during Saturday's scrimmage. (Laura Simon ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian)

Woods, who is from the Detroit area, started his college football career as a walk-on at Division I-A Utah. He redshirted in 2005 and saw some action on special teams in 2006 before heading off to junior college for a year.

Woods, whose twin brother Jarrell is a running back at Arizona State, then elected to sign with Southeast, a decision he said he hasn't regretted.

"It's been a fun experience," said Woods, a sport management major who bench presses 410 pounds and squats 535 pounds.

Even more fun would be for Woods to help Southeast post its first winning season since 2002 and just its third since the program moved up to Division I-AA in 1991.

Woods, the lone senior among Southeast's linebackers, thinks the Redhawks can turn the corner this year.

Redshirt freshman Kris Cottner tries to bring down junior Miles Edwards during Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage.

"As long as we work hard, we'll be all right," he said.

First scrimmage

Southeast only scrimmaged in officiated game simulation for a little more than 30 minutes Saturday. The Redhawks went through a number of drills before lining up for some live game situational work.

"We put in about a half a practice before we scrimmaged," said Samuel following the session at Houck Stadium. "You try to get them to focus when they're tired."

Samuel came away pleased.

"I think both sides had their moments," he said. "I think fatigue became a factor near the end because there were some penalties. Overall, I thought it was a good day."

The only touchdown of the scrimmage came when quarterback Matt Scheible hit wide receiver Miles Edwards with a 20-yard pass.

Saturday's action wrapped up the first full week of fall camp for the Redhawks, who have one more week of fall camp before school begins Aug. 24. The season opens Sept. 3 against Quincy University.

"We've got a big week coming up," said Samuel, whose squad will have one more scrimmage Saturday. "We'll be more or less identifying who will step up for us. We've still got a lot of jobs open."