Ohio Football

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Rising Star: Nick Woodyard

By Dan Clasgens | Managing Editor

Western Brown quarterback Nick Woodyard earned Division II, Second-Team All-Ohio honors as a junior.

When the 2010 season began few in the Tri-state area were familiar with Western Brown’s junior wide receiver Nick Woodyard. By year’s end he was named as a Second-Team All-State quarterback in Ohio’s Division II.

After the Broncos lost starting quarterback Matt Corcoran to an injury early in the season head coach Evan Dreyer opted to move the junior under center. Woodyard responded by throwing for 2,256 yards and 26 touchdowns while adding 722 yards and five more scores on the ground in eight games.

Western Brown, long known for his running attack, has switched to a pass-heavy attack under Dreyer. Woodyard maximized all of the opportunities Dreyer’s wide-open attack presents right out of the gate.

“The best part of playing for coach Dreyer's offense is the fast tempo we have to make the defense tired,” the senior-to-be claimed. “I also love it because I have many different options on how to attack the defense.”

Entering his final season of high school football, Woodyard figures to be one of the area’s top passers. However, his strong junior campaign has yet to lead to any offers. He has received letters though from over 20 schools. He is more likely to play receiver at the next level, but is keeping his options open.

“I have not talked to any college coaches yet, but I am willing to listen to any advice on what they have to say to make me a better player,” Woodyard said.

At 6-feet, 175 pounds Woodyard knows that he has much work to do heading into his senior campaign. To this point of the offseason he has been working hard.

“I have been in the weight room every morning before school to get myself bigger and stronger,” he claimed. “I run track for Western Brown to get myself faster, and after track practice I get the receivers together and throw with them.”

With their signal caller so focused, you have to like Western Brown’s chances for improvement in the year ahead. Woodyard’s brother, Gunnar Woodyard, will be back following a season-ending injury. The younger Woodyard will be used out of the backfield and in the team’s passing attack. Nick is looking forward to playing with him this season.

“On the field Gunnar helps me because he is a threat to score any time when he touches the ball,” he stated. “Off the field Gunnar playing helps give me the peace of mind because he is my brother and best friend and knowing he gets to play the sport he loves makes me feel good.”

There is plenty of reason to be excited about what lies ahead and Woodyard is full of confidence.

“We will make the playoffs if we can win the SBC and go undefeated in the season,” the quarterback claimed. “But our main focus is to win the SBC.”

FINAL TAKE: Woodyard will be overlooked coming out of the smaller conference like the Southern Buckeye, but there will be no overlooking his numbers. He can play in any conference in the city and put up solid numbers. In a down year at the position, Woodyard is poised to wrap up plenty of accolades in the year ahead. That should be more than enough for a school to give him a chance to play at the next level.

Dan Clasgens is a co-founder of TSF and serves as the President/Director of Media & Content for our parent company, GetSports Enterprises LLC. In addition to nearly a decade of experience in covering local high school football, Dan is a widely recognized as a fantasy football guru. He is both a local and national radio personality, including hosting a weekly show on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. If you are interested in covering your team, please CONTACT US.