NFL Combine 2016 Recap: USC DT Antwaun Woods

Antwaun Woods hoped to build off of his strong NFLPA Bowl performance at the NFL Combine, but a reported injury limited his participation.

Former USC lineman Antwaun Woods made his way to the NFL Combine with rising draft stock after a standout showing at the NFLPA Bowl in January. Unfortunately, he was unable to increase that positive momentum after suffering an injury in Indianapolis.

Results

Measurements: 6’0″ | 318 lbs | 31″ arms | 9 5/8″ hands

Woods sat out physical testing and drills after he suffered a pectoral injury during the bench press, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net.

Since the defensive lineman was limited for Sunday’s workouts, it is difficult to gauge how much ground he could have gained at the Combine.

When it comes to measurements, Woods checked in as the shortest defensive lineman present, but one of the sixth heaviest. He also had the shortest arms among defensive linemen, but all of those measurements can only say so much about a player. For Woods, they confirm what was already largely known — he is a short, wide lineman with a low center of gravity.

Interviews

The area where injury would not be a problem for Woods is in interviews with teams and media.

Speaking to reporters, Woods talked about his progression as a football player and his style (via OC Register):

"“Definitely, I came a long way,” Woods said Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “Just maturity, physical standpoint, weight, everything. It was a progression in development.” “I would describe myself as a tough nose tackle that likes doing the dirty work,” Woods said, then paused. “Loves doing the dirty work.”"

Social Media Highlights

Conclusion

If Woods did indeed suffer a pectoral injury that could be a long-term concern considering the surgery he underwent in later 2014 dealing with a similar injury.

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That surgery kept him out of spring camp in 2015, but was not an issue during the season. However, he did struggle through a sprained shoulder in September and has had enough injury problems through his career for the trend to become a worry.

However serious it is, the injury is certainly a setback for the player who has been projected as a potential Day 3 pick.

On Sunday Woods tweeted about USC’s Pro Day on March 23, which now stands as a potentially make or break moment for his draft stock.

In the meantime, Woods has just over three weeks to get his body right in time to make another big impression on NFL scouts who come out to Los Angeles.