Woodson leaves 'M' to go pro

With the suave demeanor and cocky smile that he carried his entire Michigan career, Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson said that he had accomplished all that he could as a Wolverine.

For the man who continuously takes down one obstacle after another, the next challenge is duplicating his collegiate success as a professional.

Friday morning, Woodson, accompanied by his mother, Georgia, his three roommates and a group of his teammates, announced that he will forego his senior year at Michigan and enter the NFL Draft. Most scouting pundits predict that the first primarily defensive player to win college football's most coveted individual honor will be one of the top five players selected in the April draft. According to Woodson, this was a decision made long before Friday's declaration deadline.

Woodson said he discussed the decision with his mother over Thanksgiving break. Georgia Woodson felt comfortable with her son's decision saying, "It's great for me to know he's doing what he wants to do. I feel good about his decision."

SARA STILLMAN/Daily Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson and Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr respond to reporters' questions at a press conference Friday where Woodson announced he would forego his senior year and enter the NFL Draft.

In fact, she plans to quit her job in their hometown of Fremont, Ohio and move with Woodson to whichever city he next calls home.

"Wherever he goes, mom goes," she said.

The announcement was delayed because Woodson wanted to keep his teammates' attentions squarely on Michigan's appearance in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.

"I was thinking of this before the Rose Bowl," Woodson said. "But I just wanted to stay focused. Also, I wanted my teammates to stay focused, not worrying about Charles."

Woodson is not closing the Michigan chapter of his life. Although he admitted he "hadn't been the greatest student at U of M," Woodson said he still intends to graduate even though he's just halfway towards a degree in sports management and communication.

"It's something I have to do or my mom will kill me," Woodson said.

In addition, Woodson announced that he would like to set up a scholarship fund for unfortunate students, citing that the only reason he was able to attend Michigan was because of his skills on the gridiron.

His coach, Lloyd Carr, stood firmly behind his decision, having foreseen this day long ago - as far back as the summer of 1995 after Woodson's first year at the University.

"I felt strongly that in two years, he would be ready physically and mentally," Carr said. "He's done all the things as an athlete you need to do to prepare himself. Even in the fast lane of the NFL, he's going to do extremely well.

"He's going to be a new guy in the league because he's bigger than any of the guys that have played both ways. He's stronger physically; he's fast. So I think he's going to be a guy who can do things nobody in the NFL has ever been able to do."

Woodson, who also returned punts and occasionally lined up on the offensive side of the ball as a wide receiver, did not say which position he would prefer to play in the professional ranks, indicating that he would play "wherever the coaches asked me to."

In addition to the Heisman, Woodson also was honored with the Chuck Bednarik Award (given to the nation's top defensive player), the Jim Thorpe Award (the nation's top defensive back) and the Walter Camp Award (the nation's top player).

Scouting experts suggest that the three teams most likely to have a shot at Woodson are the San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders and Chicago Bears, who own the third, fourth and fifth overall selections, respectively, in the draft.

01-12-98