Dustin Woodard

Dustin Woodard
Personal information
Born: (1998-03-08) March 8, 1998 (age 26)
Chandler, Arizona, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:291 lb (132 kg)
Career information
High school:Chandler
College:Memphis (2016–2019)
Position:Center
NFL draft:2020 / round: 7 / pick: 230
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Dustin Woodard (born March 8, 1998) is a former American football center. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft after playing college football at Memphis.

Early life

Woodard played at Chandler High School in Chandler, Arizona. He was named the best offensive lineman in the state of Arizona after his senior season, and committed to Memphis in January 2016.[1] Woodard chose the Tigers over six other schools, including Stanford, Navy, and Army.[2]

College career

Playing at Memphis, Woodard started 52 games to close out his career, playing his freshman and sophomore seasons at left guard, his junior year at right guard and his senior year at center.[3] He tied the school record with 54 total games played in.[4] Woodard garnered first-team all-American Athletic Conference honors following his junior season and was a second-team selection to that same list after his senior season.[5] He was also on the Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy watchlists his senior year,[1] and earned praise for his run blocking ability.[6]

Professional career

The New England Patriots selected Woodard in the seventh round with the 230th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.[7] On August 13, during his rookie training camp, he decided to retire from the NFL.[8] Woodard unretired on April 7, 2021, and the Patriots reinstated him to their active roster.[9] He was waived on April 16.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b Obert, Richard (April 26, 2020). "Former Chandler OL Dustin Woodard proves skeptics wrong on way to being NFL draft pick". AZ Central. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  2. ^ "Dustin Woodard, 2016 Offensive guard". Rivals. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  3. ^ Daniels, Mark (April 25, 2020). "Patriots draft center Dustin Woodard in Round 7". Providence Journal. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  4. ^ McBride, Jim (August 13, 2020). "Patriots rookie offensive lineman Dustin Woodard, 22, suddenly retires". Boston Globe. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  5. ^ Munz, Jason (August 13, 2020). "New England Patriots rookie, former Memphis standout Dustin Woodard is retiring, per report". Commercial Appeal. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  6. ^ Susel, Chiersten (May 1, 2020). "Former Chandler OL drafted by New England Patriots". 12News. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  7. ^ Cox, Zack (April 25, 2020). "Patriots Select Center Dustin Woodard With Final Pick Of 2020 NFL Draft". nesn.com. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  8. ^ "Patriots' 2020 draft pick Dustin Woodard retires before rookie season". RSN. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  9. ^ "Dustin Woodard back on Patriots' roster after retiring prior to his rookie year". NBCSports. April 7, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  10. ^ "Patriots Sign Restricted Free Agent DB J.C. Jackson; Release OL Dustin Woodard". Patriots.com. April 16, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2021.