Woods aims to perfect his craft to make Cowboys roster
Cory Diaz
Accomplishments in college football don’t always just roll over to the pro game. Most of the time it takes lining up across from a current NFL player to see where you stand.
Since Xavier Woods was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the 191st overall pick in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft back in April, the past few months have been a learning curve for the former Louisiana Tech standout safety.
“It was a great experience (being drafted), I’m truly blessed,” said Woods, who was back home in West Monroe talking to local youth Thursday. “Now, it’s kind of over now that we’ve been in practice, OTAs and minicamp. I’m just ready to compete for a spot.
“You definitely have to be a technician of your job. Some guys are faster, some guys are better technical-wise than you are. But you have to get to that point. Just perfect your craft.”
The Monroe native said he will work on his speed and shore up his technique in hopes of inserting himself into the starter conversation through Dallas’ month-long training camp that opens July 24 in Oxnard, California.
In his NFL Combine report before the draft, Woods’ change-of-direction agility was marked as a weakness and his speed from the hash mark to the boundary “can be slow,” but was listed as having a “better than average chance” to make a pro roster.
One aspect he’s held in high regard is his instincts and ability to make a play on the ball in the air. A four-year starter with the Bulldogs, Woods paced the secondary the last three seasons with 14 interceptions en route to being named to the first-team All-Conference USA Team all three years. The 5-foot-11, 219-pound safety rounded out his career with five picks along with 89 tackles, good enough for second on Tech’s defense for his senior campaign.
Carving out success while playing in Ruston, Woods said, has helped shape the proper attitude and approach for the competition.
“It just made me work harder. We weren’t getting the media (coverage) or my name wasn’t out there as some of the other guys were,” Woods said. “It makes you work harder, it definitely puts a chip on your shoulder. Just keep your eyes forward and keep working.”
His nose for the ball, as well as his willingness and experience of playing a lot of special teams will provide Woods with the opportunity to land a spot on the 53-man roster, the expectation he has set for himself before the Cowboys kickoff the 2017 season hosting the New York Giants on Sept. 10.
“Be on the team, earn a spot on the team definitely. And then earn my spot, my starting spot and be a key contributor in all facets of the game.”