Jonathan Woodard did not get discouraged when he was excluded from events to which NFL Draft prospects typically receive an invite.
"I just took it as motivation," Woodard said this week from his parents' home in Jacksonville, Fla. "That's the only way you can take it."
At a glance
NAME Jonathan Woodard
POSITION DE
SCHOOL Central Arkansas
HOMETOWN Brentwood, Tenn.
NOTABLES Holds UCA records for career tackles for a loss (56½) and sacks (33½). … Also holds UCA single-game record for sacks with 3½ against Stephen F. Austin in 2014. … Four-time all-Southland first-team selection. … Would become the ninth UCA player to be selected and second in as many years after wide receiver Dezmin Lewis went to the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round last season.
Central Arkansas' all-time sacks leader did not participate in postseason all-star games or the NFL Combine in February -- events designed to allow pro scouts to get a better read on potential pros.
Woodard, a four-time first-team All-Southland Conference pick at defensive end, will remain in Jacksonville this weekend as he figures out the next step of his football career. The 6-6, 271-pound native of Brentwood, Tenn., has confidence that he deserves to be picked.
"The NFL is going to be able to find guys that can play no matter what invite you get," he said. "Just keep grinding through the process, and if you keep persevering you'll find your way."
Woodard's UCA career wrapped up after a loss to Sam Houston State on Nov. 21, and he shifted his focus to putting himself in the best position for the draft.
While others cashed in their invites to all-star games and the combine, Woodard traveled to Orlando, Fla., to train at a facility with Chuck Smith, a former Tennessee and NFL defensive end who tutors players prepping for the draft. On Feb. 20, he took part in a regional combine in Arizona. In early March, he spent a few days at another training center in Birmingham, Ala.
On March 17, he had his pro day in Conway, where he bench-pressed 225 pounds 28 times, and ran a 10-yard split in 1.65 seconds. His bench press total would have been fourth among defensive ends at the combine, while the 4.81 40-yard dash he ran at the regional combine would have ranked seventh among defensive ends.
Woodard believes those figures and the work he's put in with Smith could be enough to hear his name called in one of the seven rounds of the draft.
Some analysts agree. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Woodard the 230th overall player in the draft -- 253 players will be picked over seven rounds -- and one NFL.com writer projects him to be selected in the seventh round.
"I just wanted to show that I move well in space, that I'm strong, and that I'm faster than what they anticipated," Woodard said.
Woodard visited the Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans, but he left not knowing much about where he stands with any of them. The invites mean they at least know who he is, which he counts as a small victory after a senior season in which his on-field production did not match his junior season.
Woodard was named Southland Defensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the top defensive player in the FCS, when he had 18½ tackles for a loss and 10 sacks as a junior.
Opponents took notice, and his senior season was met with regular double teams. He was limited to 10½ tackles for a loss and 5½ sacks, but coaches still named him to first team All-Southland for the fourth season in a row.
But Woodard believes the lack of eye-catching statistics played a part in being left out of the combine and senior bowls.
"It's something that I can't get mad at. I just had to have more production," he said. "That's something that I'm perfectly fine with. I still got a chance to show my skills. You just have to make the most of the opportunities that you're given.
"I'm ready to go anywhere in the country and help somebody's team win."
Sports on 04/28/2016