Is Colorado LB Trevor Woods redshirting? Closer look at Deion Sanders' latest announcement after UCF takedown
Colorado Buffaloes senior linebacker Trevor Woods joined the program in Boulder under then-head coach Karl Dorell in 2021. In his freshman season, he played 10 games where he made 23 tackles. As a sophomore, his performance improved as he made 84 tackles with two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one interception.
Under Deion Sanders in 2023, he made 42 solo tackles with three passes defended and 0.5 sacks. So far in 2024, he has made nine solo tackles but he has decided to put his season to rest. He didn't play in Colorado's impressive 48-21 win against UCF on Saturday.
Is Colorado LB Trevor Woods redshirting?
Yes, he is. According to Colorado football's beat writer Brian Howell, Trevor Woods will join Jeremiah Brown and sit out for the season to have one more year of eligibility. He was already in his fourth year, and improving his draft stock was crucial.
Trevor Woods was a safety throughout high school until October, when he switched to playing full-time linebacker for the Buffs. During the preseason, Woods discussed the improvement he has brought to his game in conversation with 217.
“I’ve gotten a lot bigger and a lot stronger,” he said (via Brian Howell).
He added about his new position:
“I feel a lot more comfortable (at linebacker),” said Woods. “We’re gonna get pads on soon, but I feel a lot more comfortable playing against the linemen and stuff like that. It’s a lot better at this point.”
Trevor Woods highlighted the difference between playing as a linebacker and his previous role as safety:
“The quarterback is keying the safeties,” he said. “At linebacker, I don’t even really have to disguise sometimes, because they’re not looking at me. Just simple things like that. In coverage, I feel like it’s just easier to sneak up on some (plays).”
Woods' decision to redshirt, while strategic, came as a surprise since Deion Sanders was bullish on his prospects. According to Buff Zone, the coach once hailed him as the next Brian Urlacher, a Hall of Fame linebacker.
In his absence, the Buffaloes will have to increase the workload of LaVonta Bentley, Johnny Chaney Jr. and Nikhai Hill-Green, among others.