Aug. 9, 2009

By Drew Davis, MURedHawks.com

Last year Dustin Woods battled a fractured wrist all season, yet managed to play in 11 of the RedHawks' 12 games. Despite the injury, he was able to rack up 377 receiving yards, second most on the team.

This season Woods turns his attention toward staying healthy and helping the team reach its goals.

"I need to have a healthy season," he said. "I've had a shoulder surgery after every year I played [at Miami], knee surgery [one year], and played with a fractured wrist last season."

In 2007, he was able to stay healthy the whole year and led the team with 603 yards. Another season like that will certainly help the RedHawks in their pursuit of a Mid-American Conference Championship. Woods says the team has set clear goals for the season: "To win the MAC championship and win a bowl game."

Head Coach Michael Haywood's new coaching staff has given the team the confidence and mind-set that these goals are within reach.

"The new coaching staff is great," Woods said. "They are helping us accomplish team goals by developing more discipline and better attitudes and actions on and off the field. We also are being given more respect as men, which in turn encourages us to give respect back, ultimately turning into a great player-coach relationship."

He sees this season as an opportunity to be both a playmaker and a leader. His playmaking abilities have been demonstrated on the field in his career as a RedHawks. As a leader, he hopes to "help develop or maintain an unselfish, humble attitude that realizes that if one fails, all fail," among the younger players.

"Aside from [staying healthy], I'll need to work on my routes and my blocking," he said.

Opening the season at Paul Brown Stadium in the RUMBLE at the RIVER delivered by CBTS on September 5 will be an opportunity for Woods to play in an NFL stadium for what he hopes will be the first of many times. Throw in the fact that the Purcell-Marian High School grad will be playing in his hometown, in front of his family and friends and it is easy to understand how eager Woods is to start the season.

"It will be exciting, a blessing and a dream come true for me," he said.

REDHAWK Q&A: Dustin Woods

What is the best class you have taken at Miami?

Othello Harris's Sports and Social Status. Dr. Harris always finds a way to make his classes interesting. Although not easy, if you're willing to open up your mind, and look past having to do all of the reading, his classes are some of the most intellectual and in depth that you can take. I enjoyed myself in both of his classes.

What are your plans for after graduation?

"Hopefully preparing for the NFL."

What are your goals for when your playing career is over?

"I would love to be a coach. Whether that means being a football coach, strength coach, or a mentor of some type, I just want to do something where I can help people. But most importantly, my goal is to be a good father, husband and man of God."

What sport would you play if you weren't playing football?

"I was actually offered to play baseball at Miami before I was for football. Coming out of high school I was being looked at to draft by Seattle and Chicago. I decided to continue my education and head to college instead."

How did your family help you become the player you are today?

"Both my brothers as well as my father highly influenced me athletically. My father was always and always will be my #1 coach. My middle brother Josh was always the one I competed against who influenced my work ethic and made me work hard every day because I could never beat him at anything (except a foot race). And Scott my oldest is my trainer who makes me bigger, stronger, faster and smarter every summer. I'm very blessed to have a family like mine."

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