First-time Varsity Players and Returning Veterans Ready for a New Season of Woodruff Football
By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer | vareva@thewoodrufftimes.com
The Woodruff football team held their annual Maroon and Gold spring game on Friday, May 16, and it was an exciting sneak peek at the upcoming 2025 team.
Though the Wolverines were without several key players due to continuing spring sports obligations, there was still plenty of talent on the field with a mix of returning veterans and newcomers to the varsity level.
One of those new faces is rising junior quarterback Connor Davis, who will take the reins of the Woodruff offense following the graduation of two-year starter T.J. Morris. Davis says he learned a lot from T.J. and uses his lessons to help him acclimate to the varsity level.
“I think I’ve got one of the best receiving corps in the state,” Davis said. “You’ve got Hunter Renfrow’s cousin (Rhylan Renfrow), you’ve got an all-star in Kori, an all-star in Kam, an all-star in Dre (Jenkins), and a tenth grader in Curtis (Bell). But I’ve got to give credit to T.J. He’s a big reason why I’m here. It’s been a long journey, and I’m really excited.”
Connor showed off his big arm and his running ability during the spring game, which consisted of a mix of formats, including 7 on 7 passing and intrasquad scrimmage action. One of the Wolverines’ returning stars, 6-foot-5-inch tight end Kam Taylor, was a favorite target for Davis during the scrimmage. Taylor, who currently holds 11 Division 1 college scholarship offers, is excited to be back on the field for his upcoming senior season.
“It’s been a long time waiting for the summer, explained Taylor. “We’re coming back way better. Last year, we had some ups and downs, and nobody believed in us. But we’re a little hot-headed, so we need to come into (this season) with that same mentality of nobody believing in us. We need to have that mentality that we are going to come out here and whip everybody’s tail.”
On the other side of the ball, the Wolverines’ defense gave a glimpse of what could be a special unit. With a plethora of returning starters, including defensive linemen Gunner Atkinson and Travon Lee, defensive back Ty Moates, and linebackers Jordan Hood and Jalen Roberson, there is lots of size and physicality on defense for Woodruff. But the leader of that unit, middle linebacker Shaun ‘War Daddy’ Graybill, says the defense has a lot to prove this year.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who can play at a high level,” said Graybill. “Buster (Jalen Roberson) has been doing a great job at MIKE linebacker. Travon and Jordan, all those guys in the secondary, they are bringing it every day. We have something to prove this year and are going to give it everything we have. We don’t want to leave any doubt.”
Other highlights during Friday’s action included a few electrifying runs from rising senior Roberson and a long touchdown catch and run by wide receiver Kori Moates. Moates also had an interception on defense.
With the start of summer 7 on 7 passing competitions just two weeks away, Davis is ready to get things in full swing and is confident the 2025 Woodruff Wolverines can be a vaunted opponent for every team they play.
“Our expectations are to win,” he said. “We know we’ve got the talent, and we have to keep getting better every day. I think we are going to be a tough team for anyone to play.”
Author: gmitchell85
