When Radcliff, Ky., and North Hardin High School quarterback Andre Woodson signed with Kentucky in 2003, the Wildcats had not won a bowl game since 1984.
Four seasons and 57 touchdown passes later, Woodson has a 2006 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl championship under his belt, while restoring the Wildcats as a competitor in the Southeastern Conference’s Eastern Division this season with a 5-1 record.
Woodson’s play has earned him the respect of many coaches and experts around the country, including LSU coach Les Miles.
“[Woodson] is a big-time player,” Miles said Monday when asked about the Wildcats’ signal caller.
Woodson grew up in a military family, living in Washington, Germany, Pennsylvania and Hawaii before his family settled in Fort Knox, Ky., in 1994.
At North Hardin, Woodson was considered by most recruiters as a raw talent, winning all-district awards in football, basketball and track.
Woodson chose to make football his primary sport, choosing Kentucky over Tennessee and Penn State.
Kentucky coach Rich Brooks decided to redshirt Woodson in his true freshman season and used him sparingly his second season. He was named the team’s full-time starter before the 2005 season.
In that season, Woodson and the Wildcats struggled to a 3-8 record while throwing just six touchdown passes on the season.
Brooks challenged Woodson during the off-season to become more of a leader, a move Brooks said changed his quarterback’s career.
“[Woodson] has made maybe one of the biggest transitions from production, leadership and accountability that I’ve ever seen in a young man,” he said.
Woodson displayed his improvement to the entire country this past season, leading Kentucky to an 8-5 record while throwing 31 touchdown passes.
He continued his torrid pace this season setting a new NCAA record – attempting 325 consecutive passes without an interception.
“[The record] was something I obviously value,” Woodson said. “But I value it in the standpoint that I was giving my team a chance to win. If we were losing in the process, it’s not nearly as valuable.”
Woodson also has the Wildcats off to a 5-1 record including wins over in-state rival Louisville and defending SEC Western champion Arkansas.
Woodson and the Wildcats are 10-point underdogs this weekend when No. 17 Kentucky hosts No. 1 LSU.
Despite not being given a chance by many, Brooks said he expects a big performance from his signal caller because Woodson has been an underdog his entire career.
“He has made amazing strides and a tremendous transition from an extremely talented young man to a mature adult who understands what the heck he’s doing and what he needs to do to keep advancing in his chosen craft,” Brooks said. “That’s playing quarterback in the SEC, and if he keeps doing this, he’s going to play it at the next level and play it very well.”
—Contact Casey Gisclair at [email protected]