Trevor Woods gaining confidence at linebacker

Trevor Woods is getting more and more comfortable at his new position

Colorado football rising senior Trevor Woods is no stranger to change. Standing as one of the few Buffs players who preceded head coach Deion Sanders, Woods is managing another move this offseason, making the full-time conversion to linebacker.

Woods started at safety to open the 2023 season but switched to linebacker, where he started four games late in the year. After long conversations with the coaching staff, Woods decided to make the change permanent and is currently a favorite to start at one of the inside linebacker spots. Woods spoke with the media on Tuesday and talked about his comfort level at linebacker:

“I’m pretty comfortable,” Woods said. “When you’re a safety, I like playing in the box. Being that extra guy, they’re not really calling you out, you’re not getting linemen on you as much. That’s just the biggest difference. But I’m learning to play with leverage, and all that kind of stuff to just to make it easier on myself.”

While Woods is proving himself capable at linebacker, he’s also staying prepared in case Coach Prime needs him back at safety.

“If things happen, they (coaches) told me, ‘Just be ready, know it all,'” Woods said. “That’s something I try to pride myself on. I try to know everybody’s job.”

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Trevor Woods staying put at linebacker entering spring camp

Trevor Woods’ transition to linebacker will continue

Uncle Neely, host of “Thee Pregame Show,” recently sat down with BuffStampede reporter Adam Munsterteiger to answer some questions submitted by Colorado football fans.

When asked about where Trevor Woods will be playing this spring, Uncle Neely had this to say:

“I don’t know if anything is permanent in college,” Neely said. “But as spring goes, Trevor Woods is a linebacker now, not a safety. He’s in coach (Andre’) Hart’s room, he’s working out with the linebackers, he’s doing everything as if he was a linebacker. And his football IQ, man, is off the charts.”

The answer offers a glimpse into what next year’s defense may look like after Woods switched from safety to linebacker last season, although Neely said things could still change.

Woods started four games last season at inside linebacker, racking up 26 tackles, two pass deflections and a fumble recovery at the position.

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Trevor Woods, Marvin Ham II among CU holdovers who could lead in 2023

.@Zach_Segars of @MileHighSports sees both Trevor Woods and Marvin Ham II as returning players who could lead for the 2023 #cubuffs

The Buffaloes’ roster has been in a constant state of change since December of last year when Deion Sanders was hired as head coach. Colorado has added new players from essentially every level, including class of 2023 signees and transfers from the FBS, FCS and JUCO divisions. With this many new faces, players have had to step up and lead the team in the right direction.

It seems like the Buffs are in good hands, though. Prior to the spring game, Coach Prime invited a group of players to lay down the expectations for each of their respective position groups. If these leaders can hit the ground running and get their position groups to play at a high level, then fans could be in for a pleasant surprise in 2023.

We asked Zach Segars of Mile High Sports to give us his thoughts on which players will lead the 2023 Buffs:

On offense, Shedeur Sanders is an easy bet as the starting quarterback and one of the team’s faces. I’d also keep an eye on Xavier Weaver, who was an offensive leader for USF during his time in Tampa. Defense is a more difficult projection. (Marvin) Ham II and (LaVonta) Bentley are both players to watch, as they starred in the spring and play LB. Trevor Woods is another name to watch, and, like Ham, he’s a carryover for the program, which could give him a leg up. Also, although he doesn’t seem like the most vocal leader, Travis Hunter has to be spotlighted here. He’s the perfect lead by example type with his lunch pail ethos and sky-high talent.

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Every CU Buffs player to earn their jersey number so far this spring

These players have all earned their jersey number so far this spring

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders does things a little unorthodox at times. None of his players started spring football with numbers on their jerseys. Rather, they have to earn them with their play and work ethic.

With the spring game coming up and spring practice underway, quite a few players have already earned jersey numbers.

A few of the big-name transfers have their numbers sealed, but a few other players are notably missing. It’s a different approach, but it will be interesting to see if it pays off.

Nonetheless, here’s a rundown of all the Buffs who have earned their numbers so far this spring:

Returning CU Buffs safety Trevor Woods earns jersey number

Trevor Woods has earned the right to sport his old number again next season

Returning safety Trevor Woods was among four Buffs to earn their jersey number on Tuesday, along with Jackson State transfer safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig (7), Clemson transfer linebacker LaVonta Bentley (20) and returning linebacker Isaac Hurtado (29).

Woods, who will wear No. 43 again, burst onto the scene last season as a sophomore, recording 84 total tackles, eight third down stops, five pass breakups and one interception. So far this spring, it’s looking like Woods could be one of the few returning players to maintain their starting role.

“It’s a validation kind of thing,” Woods said of earning his jersey number. “Forty-three is what I’ve always worn. I think my freshman year was really the only time I’ve ever not worn it (Woods wore No. 42). It’s what my dad wore in college and high school.”

Travis Hunter (12), Jimmy Horn Jr. (5) and Shane Cokes (99) have also earned their digits.

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Utah at Colorado injury update: Buffs without starting QB JT Shrout, S Trevor Woods

JT Shrout and Trevor Woods are out for the Buffs

Colorado will be without starting quarterback JT Shrout and safety Trevor Woods for its season finale against Utah.

Shrout was not in uniform during pregame warmups and BuffZone’s Brian Howell tweeted that Woods is unavailable. Last week against Washington, Shrout took a few big hits and although he finished that game, he was clearly banged up. Backup Drew Carter or Houston transfer Maddox Kopp will likely both see snaps under center vs. the Utes.

Utah is also without a key player as running back Tavion Thomas announced he has played his final college game and will be declaring for the NFL draft.

Kickoff is at 2:10 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.

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Colorado football injury update: Deion Smith, Trevor Woods expected to play at Washington

Mike Sanford shared an encouraging update on two key players

Two key pieces for the Colorado Buffaloes, running back Deion Smith and safety Trevor Woods, are healthy and expected to play at Washington on Saturday, per interim head coach Mike Sanford.

Smith has been banged up a couple of times this year, including a scary moment against Cal, and he hasn’t played since Nov. 5 against Oregon. The Buffs’ leading rusher should provide a needed spark in Seattle.

Arguably Colorado’s most exciting defensive player this season, Woods also didn’t face USC after getting banged up the week prior. He remains second on the team with 79 total tackles and has been a strong asset in the Buffs’ young secondary.

In their places against USC, Alex Fontenot returned with 108 rushing yards and Jeremy Mack played an increased role, totaling 11 tackles.

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Safety Trevor Woods having fantastic start to his sophomore campaign

Trevor Woods is bringing some clarity to Colorado’s secondary

Entering this season, Colorado’s secondary was (and still is to an extent) a big unknown. Mark Perry, Christian Gonzalez and Mekhi Blackmon all departed and safety Isaiah Lewis soon became the only remaining DB with any significant experience.

Lewis so far has gotten the most help from a few sophomores, namely Nikko Reed, Tyrin Taylor, Kaylin Moore and Trevor Woods. But the clear standout has been Woods.

Against TCU, Woods recorded six tackles and a third down stop. He then blew past those numbers at Air Force, though, with eight total tackles (six unassisted), including two third-down stops and a huge forced fumble — all before being ejected in the second half due to a questionable targeting call.

Because of the targeting penalty, Woods is likely going to miss the first half against Minnesota, although Karl Dorrell did appeal.

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I asked Dorrell after the Air Force game about how much it stung to lose Woods late in the game.

“It hurt a lot, as you saw,” Dorrell said. “He’s one of our oldest safeties as a sophomore. We played a couple other guys after him, but he had a really good game up to that point. It’s unfortunate for him with the targeting call.”

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