2016 CIS FOOTBALL PLAYER TO WATCH: Calgary's Robert Woodson
Name: Robert Woodson
University: Calgary
Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
High school / Cegep: St. Francis
Position: Defensive Back
Academic program: Arts - Economics
Year of eligibility: 4
Height: 5-11
Weight: 197
Key stats from 2015: 15.5 tackles, CIS-leading 5 interceptions
Awards & honours (since start of CIS career): 2015 Canada West defensive MVP,
PROFILE
The Woodson name has deep roots around Calgary’s McMahon Stadium.
Tony Woodson, a linebacker, stopped opposing offences for a pair of seasons with the Calgary Stampeders in the 1980s, sandwiched between a stint with the NFL’s Denver Broncos and a three-year tenure with the Ottawa Rough Riders.
Anthony made his name as a hard-nosed tailback for the University of Calgary Dinos, racking up 2,404 yards – 1,183 of which came in one glorious season in 2007 and earned him All-Canadian status. Drafted in 2010 by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, he’s now in his fifth CFL season, appearing in seven of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ first nine games of the 2016 campaign.
The current Woodson wearing the red and gold at McMahon is Robert, a fourth-year economics major heading into 2016 looking to lead his team to victories and impress pro scouts along the way throughout his draft year.
His breakout season in 2015 set him up for it. He was the defensive MVP in Canada West and a first-team All-Canadian after leading the nation in interceptions with five and adding five pass knockdowns. Using his outstanding athleticism, the St. Francis High School grad was the Dinos' top cover man in the secondary and was routinely matched up against the opposition's top receivers – and needing to record just 15.5 tackles on the season, teams were unsuccessful when throwing his direction.
"Robert Woodson is possibly the most athletic defensive back to ever play at the University of Calgary," said Dinos head coach Wayne Harris upon the announcement of the conference MVP award. "We use this athleticism to match Robbie against the top receivers in Canada West. He led the nation in interceptions and is able to play any position in the defensive backfield.”
He was one of six Dinos to play at this spring’s East-West Bowl, along with fellow draft-eligible DB Adam Laurensse – also a first-team All-Canadian from a year ago. Together, they shut down opposing pass attacks on the boundary, combining for seven interceptions and 10 pass knockdowns while needing to make just 34 tackles on the season.
That veteran presence will be key for a Dinos squad that experienced plenty of turnover in the off-season on offence but is deep and experienced defensively. And, if he keeps playing at that level, there’s a good chance he’ll have the chance to play many more games at McMahon after his CIS career comes to a close.