Big Hitter

Although Mississippi safety Rod Woodson says he'll likely sign not too far from home, he's definitely interested in the Michigan Wolverines. "I like that they got a good new system coming in," Woodson said. "Coach Rich Rodriguez did a great job at West Virginia and he'll do good there too. They are also doing a lot to improve their weight room and facilities too..."

Rod Woodson, the 5-foot-11, 200 pound safety from Olive Branch, Miss., says he has scholarship offers from Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Michigan. He now favors Ole Miss slightly over Auburn, Michigan, Memphis (no offer) and Mississippi State.

"Ole Miss is only 45 minutes away," Woodson said. "I don't think I'll go too far away, but it don't really matter. If it's between two schools that are the same I'll pick the closer one."

The Rebels were the first school to offer him (last September) and he attended their junior day last month. "They are rebuilding and I get along with the coaches," he said. "I think they are good. I think they are up-and-coming.

"I also like the area and the campus is real nice," he said. "The dorms are great there."

The only other school in his top five that Woodson has already visited is Mississippi State, which is about one hour from Woodson's house. "It's nice," he said. "I get along with all the players and coaches there too. It's a good school."

Although Michigan is much farther away, Woodson says he's definitely also interested in the Wolverines. "I like that they got a good new system coming in," he said. "Coach Rich Rodriguez did a great job at West Virginia and he'll do good there too. They are also doing a lot to improve their weight room and facilities too."

Another school that Woodson is interested in learning more about is Auburn. The Tigers have offered him and he doesn't know much about them yet. "I haven't been down there yet," he said. "I'm real interested to see what it's like there."

While the Rebels may be his top choice now, don't expect Woodson to make an early decision. "I'm waiting until next year," he said. "I'm not committing early. I want to see all the opportunities I get.

"I want to get along with the coaches," he said of his criteria in picking a college. "I also want to live in nice dorms and play in a good defense."

He is unsure if he'll be attending any camps this summer.

Woodson wasn't able to attend the Under Armour / Scout.com combine in New Orleans on April 12 as originally planned.

Woodson finished his junior season with 148 tackles, three fumbles caused, three fumbles recovered and three interceptions. Olive Branch finished with an 11-3 record and lost in the semifinals of their playoffs.

"I can hit," he said. "I'm real strong and I love to tackle. I never stop and I'm very aggressive. I go real hard.

"But I'd like to break on the ball better and I'm still trying to get faster," he admitted. "I do a lot of footwork drills too."

Woodson says he can bench 315 pounds, squat 500 and insists he has an incredible 41-inch vertical jump. He also runs a 4.5 forty.

He reports a 14 ACT (May retake), but claims not to know his GPA. "I don't pay attention to that," he said. "I don't know my GPA. I haven't looked at it at all."