The class of 2022 in the state of Nebraska has a chance to be special. The state has been on a nice run of producing Power 5 players of the last handful of years but the 2022 group has picked up offers at a faster rate than the previous years. One of those prospects holding early Power 5 offers is Omaha Central offensive lineman Deshawn Woods.
Woods holds 11 scholarship offers to this point, including Nebraska, Florida, Iowa, Iowa State and Missouri. The lineman competed in the Warren Academy Showcase last weekend. He performed well and showed why he is among the top recruits in his class.
Out at the Warren Academy Showcase checking out a host of local 2021, 22, and 23 kids.
Here’s Deshawn Woods, a 2022 OL out of Omaha Central. One of the top kids in the state for the ‘22 cycle. pic.twitter.com/AzUnm7U5fK
— Derek Peterson (@DrPeteyHV) July 25, 2020
Woods said it was great to see new faces at the camp and meet new people. He hit his goal of coming out to compete and have fun. Woods was able to hit the ground running during the camp, noting that he had a unique way to stay in shape.
“Well, actually I cut grass. I was cutting for two lawn services,” Woods said. “I had to cut down and quit one because of football starting but I’ve just been working. That’s been a lot of sweat and just constantly moving. It’s great because that’s what you do on the offensive line you constantly move until that whistle. Also, back then [during quarantine], I did a little bit of stuff by myself with friends just getting out on the fields that were open. Even if most of the fields in Omaha were closed, Westside was actually open.”
The constant motion and action on the offensive line is a big draw for him playing the position. It also lines up with the type of person Woods strives to be.
“My favorite part of playing offensive line is that I have somebody to protect,” Woods said. “I’m big on that with my family. I love to protect. I just like to be the person to protect somebody. If I’m able to protect you then I feel like I accomplished something.”
Woods has taken things slow with his recruitment but he has visited Nebraska a few times before the dead period. He said his relationship with Nebraska’s staff has been great so far. He recently spoke with Coach Scott Frost recently to catch up, which Woods enjoys. The lineman also likes that Nebraska is looking to build a relationship with him that goes beyond football.
“They are definitely more relationship building coaches,” Woods said. “We barely talk football. If they do, they talk about how they’re moving on with COVID because they really haven’t been able to talk about anything else besides what’s coming next. It’s just how are we going to handle this next?”
Right now, there are three schools that Woods hears from the most: Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa State. He likes to keep busy so he’s upfront with coaches that he just doesn’t have a lot of time to talk. He still feels comfortable with the relationships being built though.
Woods is still learning about different schools and coaching staffs. He is straightforward on what he’s looking for in a school.
“The culture of the team,” Woods said. “How the coaches treat the players. How the school treats the players. I mean, just everything that you would look for in a relationship with anyone.”
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11075134/5db649f3d21c67025824641e
Greg is the Recruiting Analyst for Hail Varsity and has covered Husker athletics since 2013. He has always had a passion for sports while growing up in the Chicago area. As he got older and had to hang up his cleats and sneakers, he realized his passion for sports went beyond just watching and attending games. He has covered many events from the Rose Bowl to championship boxing matches. If he’s not talking sports, he’s hovering over his grill. He is married to an amazing woman, Kim, and they have a dog that barks when Greg yells at the TV during games.
