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We are 83 days away from college football kickoff. The countdown keeps on moving. Today we have Richard Wood from USC and Kellen Winslow from Missouri. Enjoy reading more about these two and their college careers as we continue counting down to the best season of the year… COLLEGE FOOTBALL! 83 Days Away From College Football Kickoff
Na Na Na Na Na Batman
In high school, Wood stood out in basketball, track, and wrestling. His experience in track and wrestling helped him become a strong inside linebacker. With a 4.6-second speed, he could chase down fast runners, and his strength made his tackles feel “like a hammer,” Coach John McKay said.
Richard Wood had an outstanding college career; he became the first Trojan to earn three All-American honors. Wood played a key role on USC’s national championship teams in 1972 and 1974. During his time, the Trojans posted a 31-3-2 record. Nicknamed “Batman,” Wood was Southern California’s first three-time All-American and helped lead the team to two national titles.
Wood joined the varsity team in 1972 and led the undefeated Trojans in tackles, finishing 30 ahead of his closest teammate. He made 18 tackles in games against both UCLA and Arkansas. As a sophomore, Wood was trusted to call the defensive signals. He also stood out in pass coverage, making five interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, and deflecting four more passes. Wood’s strong play earned him first-team All-America honors.
In his junior year, Wood again led USC to a conference title and another Rose Bowl appearance, and his All-America status became a consensus selection. He had another standout game with 18 tackles against Notre Dame. In 1974, Wood helped his team win a second Rose Bowl and another national title, repeating as a consensus All-American.
Wood finished his college career with a 31-3-2 record. After being drafted by the New York Jets, he spent most of his professional career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Following his time with the Bucs, Wood coached in the NFL and in Europe, and he also became a very successful high school coach.
Another Great #83 Kellen Winslow, Missouri
Kellen Winslow started playing football in his senior year of high school. Even with little experience, he impressed Missouri coach Al Onofrio, who said, “You could see he was a great athlete and he’d develop. He had a great attitude, which is why he became great.” Before Winslow, tight ends usually ran short or medium routes. Thanks to his size and speed, he was among the first to run deeper routes. As a freshman, he played just three games and caught one pass. The following year, a new coach, Warren Powers, brought in a more open passing offense, and both Winslow and the Tigers thrived. That season, Mizzou upset Notre Dame and Nebraska, both ranked in the top five, and Winslow’s catches rose to 16. In his junior year, he earned the first of two straight All-Conference honors. As a senior, he was named a Consensus All-American. Winslow then played nine seasons with the San Diego Chargers, making the Pro Football Hall of Fame after catching 541 passes for 6,741 yards and nine touchdowns.
Editor’s Note: The countdown to college football kickoff has been a series on the Last Word on College Football social media platforms for the past 9 years. They consisted of a photo and a small blurb for each player, with the jersey corresponding to the number of days until kickoff. The rank of the players is sourced from articles by Bleacher Report, Fox Sports, and The Athletic. There are also some favorite players of the Last Word on College Football writers. Their bios are sourced from multiple online sources, including but not limited to the College Football Hall of Fame, their Heisman profiles, and school websites.
Main Photo: USC Athletics
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