2021 Kicker Connor Wood announced his commitment to Duke on Monday, choosing the Blue Devils over three other scholarship offers from Army, Kennesaw State and Vanderbilt. Wood, who stands 5'10" tall and weighs 180 pounds, is ranked as the #50 kicker in the nation by Chris Sailer and is registered by Kohl's Kicking as having the ability to kick off 70+ yards and is a punter as well.
So to start Connor, how does it feel to be committed to Duke ?
It's a dream come true, it feels amazing. A little over 4 years ago I had never even played football and now I'm committed to my dream school. It feels like something out of a storybook.
How does it feel that you are getting to go play for your dream school, especially given all the development you've undergone in just a short amount of time ?
Well, I have a soccer background, so the summer before my freshman year, my dad and I went out to the middle school field and kinda tried to "figure it out" in a way because I wanted to give football a shot. After that I was introduced to James Wilhoit, and I've trained with him for the past 4 years. Through his mentorship, tons of hard work and help of some great guys in the kicking industry like Brian Jackson, Brandon Kornblue and Chris Sailer I was able to get to the point that I'm at now. Duke is just the place that feels like home to me. It also checks all of my boxes as well, great academics, a top tier football program and it's in a great location geographically. My parents were excited when they found out Duke was recruiting me, especially since they are two of the most supportive people in this world and they'd be happy for me and proud of me no matter what.
With those progress points that you hit along the way the last 4 years, how long was it from you hitting them to when Duke first started getting involved with you? What did it mean to you when they first started getting involved?
I hit those points before my junior year, so my highlight film from that year was pretty solid. I started sending it out to coaches in December and then in early February I heard back from Coach Benedict at Duke, and the recruiting process started there. When they got involved I was super excited because it's a place I want to be and a coaching staff that I can't wait to play for.
When did the switch happen for you with Duke being a school that you were interested in to where Duke is where I know I want to go to ? What sparked the transition?
After Coach McLeod offered me, it only took about a week and a half before I committed. I prayed hard over the decision, talked about it with my family and took time to think it over, but it really wasn't a hard decision to make. When I told my family, there were a lot of happy tears! They were proud that I had found my home. When I told Coach Benedict that I wanted to commit, I think he was even happier than me! The coaching staff at Duke has made me feel like family from day one, so that conversation was a long time coming, and it felt great to finally be able to let them know that I wanted to commit.
How did Coach Benedict and the Duke staff react when you committed?
Yeah, he just told me how excited he was to have me, and how he can't wait to get me on campus.
Speaking of getting onto campus, what's the plan going forward for you with the staff?
Right now the plan is for me to report in the summer.
You had mentioned previously to us at The Devils Den that you were going to start out as a preferred walk on with the team and then have the opportunity to earn a scholarship, is that still the current plan?
Yes sir, that's the plan.
Ok, one final question. Did you have any closing messages to share?
Yes sir, I can't wait to get on campus and I'll do everything I can to make the Duke fans proud!
"wood" - Google News
December 10, 2020 at 07:54PM
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2021 K Connor Wood breaks down commitment to Duke - 247Sports
"wood" - Google News
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