Colorado safety Trevor Woods (right) celebrates with his teammates after recovering a fumble against Oregon State on Nov. 4. (AP Photo/David Zarbowski)
Trevor Woods didn't even know what position he'd play this year, but he never considered leaving the Colorado Buffaloes.
But he is embracing the process of learning a new position this spring.
“I wasn't sure if I wanted to play linebacker or safety, but I felt like I was somewhere in between,” Woods said this week. “I wanted to be able to do both and they told me I could do it, but I mean, I never thought about going into the transfer portal or anything like that.”
Woods, a hard-hitting safety his first three seasons at CU (2021-23), was asked to play linebacker late last season because the Buffs needed that spot.
This spring, Woods will play full-time as a linebacker for the first time.
“It's very comfortable,” he said. “When you're a safety, I like to play in the box, but… linemen don't follow me as much. I mean, that's the biggest thing (it's different at linebacker). But I like to play myself… I’m learning to play with leverage and things like that to make it easier.”
It's not surprising to see Woods put his head down and tackle the task at hand. That's what he's done since coming to CU from Katy, Texas in 2021, and it's part of why he's so respected by CU coaches.
Woods is one of only two scholarship players (along with tight end Louie Passarello) remaining from the 2022 season before head coach Deion Sanders takes over.
“Last year, it felt like we were all freshmen (in a new situation),” Woods said. “Anything goes at this point, but I think it's pretty cool to acknowledge (being one of the last holdovers from 2022).”
Become young again
When Pat Shurmer was hired by CU as an analyst last summer, he returned to the college game for the first time since 1998.
It was a big change for Shurmur, who is now the Buffs' offensive coordinator after nearly a quarter-century of coaching in the NFL. But being with young players again has rejuvenated him.
“I feel energized by the young players and they all listen,” Shurmur, who turns 59 on April 14, said recently. “I can't tell you how many times I've had dinner where they're saying, 'Tell me about Michael Vick, tell me about Sam Bradford, what was Case Keenum like?' ” Tell us about young Drew Lock. ” They want perspective. I think the end goal for some of them is going to be pro football, so they're always looking for that perspective. …That's a pretty good piece of work. ”
Pay attention to
CU had Wednesday off, but is scheduled to return to practice Thursday. This will be the Buffs' fifth of 15 spring practices. …Tickets for the Black & Gold's spring game went on sale Wednesday. Tickets can be purchased at CUBuffs.com.
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