UCF's Landon Woodson Is Rounding Into Form
A breakout game for redshirt sophomore Landon Woodson was inevitable.
Leading into his breakout performance against South Florida on November 27th, Woodson had been trending upwards since his redshirt freshman season. It seemed that with every game, Woodson would reveal a new dimension to his skillset. In their victory over Houston on October 30th, he deflected two passes to add with his three tackles. For a team that has been lead by the offensive prowess of star quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Woodson's emergence has not received the attention it merits.
Around the same time last season, Woodson contributed only two tackles in their win against South Florida at that time. Even though the sacks have not come as often as he would have liked, Woodson displayed glimpses of the pass rusher he could eventually become. This season, Woodson has been a disruptive force since taking over the defensive end spot from former Knights' lineman, Randy Charlton.
At 6'6 and over 240 pounds, Woodson certainly has the physical attributes to play at the next level. As he continues to acclimate into his role as a starter, his awareness is one of a seasoned veteran. In their victory over South Florida, Woodson was quick to point out how lack of communication led to their defensive struggles.
Perhaps another three-sack performance this season may not happen, yet one should expect Woodson to continue affecting games in different ways. As he continues to develop, the possibility of becoming one of the premier pass rushers in college football is not a far-fetched idea.