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The Michigan Wolverines and head coach Sherrone Moore sent out a scholarship offer to a class of 2027 safety on Wednesday. That alone is enough to make some of us feel pretty old, but it gets even worse when you learn that the scholarship offer went out to Florida safety Charles Woodson Jr.
To answer your immediate question, yes, that is the son of 1997 Heisman Trophy winner and Michigan superstar Charles Woodson. In addition to the Heisman Trophy, Woodson won the Jim Thorpe, Chuck Bednarik, Bronco Nagurski, and Walter Camp awards in 1997 and led the Wolverines to a national championship while playing on both sides of the ball.
Now Woodson Jr., rated as a four-star recruit by the On3 Sports industry rankings, is ready to make his mark on the college game. In addition to Michigan, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Kentucky have all offered the younger Wooodson, who plays for Lake Nona High School in Orlando.
“Charles is an exceptional talent with the instincts and skills that set him apart on the field,” Lake Nona coach David Aubrey told On3 of Woodson Jr. “His ability to play downhill with intensity, combined with his range to cover sideline to sideline, makes him a versatile and impactful player. His football IQ, undoubtedly influenced by his lineage from the legendary Charles Woodson, shines through in his understanding of the game. With his natural ability, work ethic, and eagerness to grow, his potential is limitless. It’s exciting to see how he continues to develop as a cornerstone of our program.”
Woodson Jr. might not be quite the caliber of prospect that his old man was. But it seems clear that he’s a potential difference-maker at the Power 4 level. And it would undeniably be pretty nostalgic to see him patrolling the Michigan defensive backfield with the No. 2 on his jersey and “Woodson” written across the back.