During the summer, ESPN.com is taking a closer look at each scholarship player on Oklahoma’s roster in our Crimson Countdown series. Each day, we analyze each player’s impact on the program since arriving on campus, his potential impact this fall, and his long-term projection. Starting with No. 1 Dominique Alexander, the series follows the roster numerically through No. 98 Chuka Ndulue.
No. 12 Derrick Woods, receiver, 6-foot-1, 189 pounds, sophomore
Impact thus far: Woods hasn’t made a major impact during his two years on campus but has flashed terrific ability at various moments during his young career. After redshirting in 2012, Woods was a core member of the Sooners special teams and showed potential as a receiver. He finished with two receptions for 29 yards in 11 games in 2013.
Impact in 2014: If Woods continues the steady improvement he’s shown during his first two years, he should make an impact at receiver this fall. His 20-yard reception in the Sugar Bowl was a glimpse at his playmaking potential.
Long term upside: Woods is another one of the talented receivers in the Sooners meeting room who has not started to turn his upside into production. But, ability-wise, he looks like a guy with the potential to be a key contributor for the next three seasons and a potential all-conference player.
Evaluation grade for Woods: B. He earned a special teams role as a redshirt freshman and seems to be getting more and more comfortable as a receiver after starring at several different positions in high school. Most schools recruited him as a defensive back, but the Sooners’ willingness to keep him at receiver could pay off.
Development grade for Woods: A. Outside of just throwing him into the mix at receiver as a redshirt freshman, there probably wasn’t a better development arc for Woods. As the season progressed, Woods did start seeing the field more and more on offense and redshirting him during his true freshman season was the right move.
Quotable: “He didn’t play a lot but he played an important role in that Alabama game. He came in on that big pass, which was as important of a play in that game. Now he just has to transport that into his play all the time. He’s been a big play threat on the field; he just has to do that consistently.” -- Receivers coach Jay Norvell on what Woods needs to do to take the next step as a sophomore.