Q&A with Troy linebacker Bear Woods

TROY — The words, “On the stop, Bear Woods,” blared over the public address system numerous times at Middle Tennessee in Troy’s season-opening win last year.

All in all, the Troy linebacker had a career night, ending up with 24 tackles. But his lingering foot problems started in that game, causing him to miss three more. Despite that, he still broke the 100-tackle mark and was a second-team all-conference performer.

Woods had surgery on his left foot in the offseason and seems poised to build on last year’s success, despite the fact he’ll miss the first two games of the year after the NCAA ruled Troy didn’t have enough medical evidence to give him a redshirt in 2006, when he played a few snaps in that year’s opener.

Woods sat down with the Dothan Eagle for an interview.

How is the foot?

The foot is good. I wouldn’t say 100 percent, but well on it’s way. If we had a game tonight, I’d be playing.

How frustrating was it to deal with that all season?

It is what it is. I fought so hard to get that starting spot and the next game I had to sit out. I’ve been through so many struggles that I’ve had to fight hard and keep my head on straight.

Late in the year, you found out you were a senior. How relieved were you to win the first appeal and get this year back?

I thought it was handled, but it was not. Come the last two games Coach (Larry) Blakeney told me I was a senior. (The Arkansas State game) was senior night and I decided not to walk. I believed that the Lord’s taken care of this and I know I was going to be back.

Is it set in stone now that you have to miss the first two games (Bowling Green and Florida)?

It’s set in stone. I went down there to try to appeal and they had already tried. We’re just so fortunate to get the whole year back. It’s two very big games for the school, but as long as it’s not conference games, that’s what keeps me at ease.

How tough will missing the Florida game be?

I’m 30 minutes from Gainesville (home town is MacClenny, Fla.). Everyone back home is a Florida Gator fan. It would mean the world to me to go down there and beat the Florida Gators for bragging rights. I come from a small county and there’s going to be hundreds of people at that game and most of them don’t know I’m not going to be playing yet, so they’re going to be very upset about that.

Expectations for this year’s team?

If this isn’t the best team ever, it’s going to be a disappointment, especially since I’ve been here. If it’s not the best team this year, it’s going to be a disappointment.

How you got the nickname Bear (real name is Jonathan)

Bear came from my Grandpa. I wasn’t even six months old and he started calling me Bear, and it stuck. If I’ve had any kind of awards in high school, it said Jonathan “Bear” Woods. I don’t even turn my head if someone says Jonathan.

Boris (Lee) said if you played quarterback in high school against his defense, you would have thrown a lot of interceptions (Woods was a high school QB, safety and linebacker, Lee a receiver)

Boris doesn’t know what he’s talking about. If Boris had run a route in high school against my defense with me sitting back there at safety, he wouldn’t be with us today. He wouldn’t have wanted to run a route on me.

Most people know about Donnell Golden and Xavier Lamb, but who are other young linebackers to watch?

Kanorris Davis. This guy is a machine built for one speed and that’s all out. He works just has hard, if not more so, than anybody. He’s got the physique of the Terminator, doesn’t get tired, strong and loves the game of football. I’d watch out for him especially on special teams this year. Other than that, we’ve got a kid we call Rico, his name is Johnny Thompson. Athletic guy, looks like a linebacker, already 220 pounds. As long as Coach (Benjy) Parker stays here, he’ll have the linebackers where we need to be. He breaks them down so good. He took a quarterback and a receiver in me and Boris and turned us into all-conference linebackers.

Who are some other unknown defensive guys to watch?

Courtland Fuller. Had we not have had Sherrod (Martin) and Tavares (Williams), he would have started for us, and he would have started for anyone in the Sun Belt. He’ll come in and you’ll think he’s been starting for the whole time. The big guy this year is (defensive tackle) Eugene Kinlaw. He played with Boris in high school. Have you seen him yet? He’s a man child. He’s a big guy. (Cornerback Bryan) Willis had a big-time spring. If he can play like he did in the spring this year, we’ll be solid at the corners.

Plans after the season?

I’ll train hard for the combines and get ready for the NFL Draft. Lord willing, that’s been my dream. It’s all I’ve dreamed about but I won’t put any extra pressure on myself. I’ll go with the flow, deal with Coach (Richard) Shaughnessy because he’s the man with the plan and he knows how to get you ready. I’ll give it my all like I always do.