Top-10 players outside of the Power Five conferences
By Robert Judin
8. Xavier Woods – S, Louisiana Tech
If you know me at all, even a tiny bit, you know that I have a gigantic admiration for the defensive side of the ball. So this list would not be complete — nor accurate — if it only consisted of quarterbacks and skill-position players on the offensive side of the ball.
Xavier Woods is a baller. That will probably be the most definitive claim you read all day, but it’s true.
As a true freshman, Woods made ball carriers eat turf 61 times, and 32 of those occasions were solo tackles — three were for loss.
The jump, though, was made in his sophomore year. Woods really established himself as a threat in and out of the box. He tallied 71 tackles (52 solo) and added another 3.5 tackles for loss. Three fumbles were forced and a sack was had, and that’s all I have to say about that (Forrest Gump voice).
The more impressive display came in Woods’ coverage ability. Not only did he haul in six interceptions, but he channeled his inner-Ed Reed and returned them 230 yards for an average of 38.3 yards per interception returned.
Woods is establishing himself as an all-around safety. He can play up in the box and help stop the run by plugging gaps and acting as an extra linebacker. He can contribute in man coverage and zone coverage. At 5-foot-11, 188 pounds, Woods isn’t a favorable matchup for the bigger pass-catching tight ends, but he’s a playmaker. I’d rather take a 5-foot-11 playmaker than a 6-foot-2 scarecrow.
Next: No. 7 Tarean Folston