Going undrafted may have been the best thing to happen to Jacksonville Jaguars safety Zedrick Woods this month because it will allow him to play for his home team if it pans out. As a native of Lake City, just 60 miles away from Jacksonville, Woods told the Florida Times-Union that he was fortunate to end up playing so close to his hometown and is ready to defy the odds against him by making the team.
“It all turned out how God wanted it to,” Woods said this week. “I’m blessed to play right there at home. I’m just elated. It was the best situation for me and I felt like that’s where I needed to be. I’m a very humble person. I really don’t do too much. I just get the job done and take care of my business.”
Woods, 21, will begin his journey to make the final 53-man roster this Friday as the Jags will host their annual rookie minicamp. After that, the competition will only get tougher as he’ll begin practicing with one of the league’s best defenses throughout offseason training activities and training camp.
With the Jags losing Tashaun Gipson and Barry Church before the 2019 season, and electing not to draft or sign any safeties this offseason, Woods may have a legit shot to make the team as a reserve. After playing in the Southeastern Conference with Ole Miss for several years, he’s certainly gone through the best competition available in college, which he admitted could be a big plus for him on his journey.
“I think I’m pretty versatile and I can go out and cover,” Woods added. “I think it helped me a lot playing in the hardest conference (SEC) in my opinion. It was competition every week and it helped prepared me for the next level.”
In 2018, undrafted rookie defensive back Tre Herndon found himself making the final 53-man roster and defying the odds. Now, Woods, who will be a comrade of his, will have someone to relate to as he attempts to do the same for the team he watched coming up in high school.
