NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Case Woodard, DB, Catawba College

 

NFL Diamonds has been providing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 3 years and this year we mixed things up a bit. Our questions are designed to give our readers a little more insight on the draft eligible player. We hope to bring you more than 350 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner to the right.  Now let’s meet our next prospect!!!!

What is your name?

My name is Case Woodard, II. 

What is your Height/Weight?

I’m 5’11” 170 lbs. 

What is your position?

I am a Cornerback. 

Where do you play college football?

Catawba College 

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field?

I would have to say it was one Christmas when my mother, sister and I went and fed the homeless in downtown Atlanta. We made sandwiches and other snacks in over 50 brown bags. The most memorable part for me was once it got late and a little colder outside, I saw a homeless man shivering after I gave him a bag of food and so I gave him the beanie off my head because he needed it far more than I did. 

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

I would have to say Intermediate Spanish. Picking up that language and rules then speaking in it was extremely challenging for me. 

Where are you from?

I was born in Mt. Vernon, NY but I was raised in Lithonia, GA. 

Who is your role model, and why?

I would probably have to say Tyrann Mathieu for a few reasons. He has been through so much adversity throughout his college and professional career spanning from suspension to injury and everything between. He handles adversity with a savage mindset. He embraces it and takes it head on it. 

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Growing up I tried everything. I’ve played soccer, basketball, baseball, and track & field. I even was a skateboarder for a little while. 

Did you play any other positions in football?

The only other position I’ve played was Safety. I played that position throughout high school and made the transition to Cornerback once I got to the college level. 

At your position, what separates you from others?

My quickness. I spent a good amount of my life as a dancer (ballet, jazz, hip-hop, etc.) and those different movements translated to football. I’ve always had the best and quickest feet on every team I’ve been a part of. 

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

History repeats itself so I look for tendencies. Not only do I watch the receivers releases, route running ability and ball skills. I watch hand signals and gestures between the receiver and his quarterback. I also look for route combinations out of different formations and what plays an offense like to run in certain down and distances. 

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

I can’t really pinpoint one matchup that I’ve had and thought back like “man, he was tough”. I’ve played against guys that were fast, quick, big, small, strong…they brought different things to the table but I was always prepared from the film room and great coaching and I’m thankful for that. 

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?

Tyrann Mathieu. Like him, I’m not a big guy but I find ways to make plays and play with a passion for the game. I’m a student in the film room and I want to be the best every single play, including practice. 

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

Being ineligible and out of school was my biggest obstacle. For the first time since I started playing, I spent an entire year off the field, away from team activities as a whole and out of school. It was my lowest point. My families support and continuous prayer is how I made it through. Instead of giving up on football and dropping out of school, God opened doors for me that I thought were closed forever. I was able to get back in a school and on the field the next year. Now I find myself training for the NFL Draft, it’s amazing how things unfold sometimes.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Sending up a prayer is the only thing that never changes on game day.

What is your biggest strength?

My ability to have short term memory. After giving up a big play, it’s important not to dwell on it but instead move on and be the best every “next play”. 

What is your biggest weakness? 

My strength. I’m not the strongest guy on the field but I’ve been busting my butt to become stronger everyday. 

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say?

I’m selfless. I want to help win multiple Super Bowls for as long as I can. I motivate others and play at a level that makes those around me better. I want to play my part in building and/or maintaining and a championship franchise. 

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up?

My favorite team has been the Pittsburgh Steelers for as long as I can remember. I can’t truly pick only one player as my favorite; I’ve watched so many great ones. Growing up I played safety so my favorites were Sean Taylor, Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu and Bob Sanders. 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

I’ll say Michael Jackson, Shaq and my Dad!

What will be the first big item you buy once you are in the NFL?

Whenever I’m able, I want to buy my moms old house back. Growing up we had so many memories there and my siblings and mother all miss it so I definitely want to bring the home back to our family.