Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of stories introducing some of the top players in the Class of 2011.
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. -- Opposing coaches in Los Angeles refer to ESPNU 150 Watch List defensive tackle Antwaun Woods (Woodland Hills, Calif./Taft) as a man-child. The Taft junior stands at a stout 295 pounds with a low center of gravity and a wide, powerful base with great explosiveness off the ball. When you couple his superior physical tools with the tenacity he puts forth in the trenches, you can see why rival coaches and offensive linemen have so much respect for Woods.
While always massive with natural brute strength, Taft head coach Matt Kerstetter said he hinted to Woods last offseason that his footwork could use improvement. That's all it took to motivate his stud defensive lineman.
"I really worked on my feet for this season," explained Woods. "I ran the bleachers, did jumping and cone drills and also ladders."
Woods models his game around former NFL Pro Bowler Warren Sapp who had a similar frame and style -- "short and fast" as Woods describes it. While he looks up to former defensive linemen and currents ones, like Albert Haynesworth, his true motivation comes from home.
"My family drives me; just to make it someday and get them out of the environment we are in," Woods said. "It's just me and my dad, really. We are close."
From what we have seen, he's on his way. Woods is another Los Angeles prospect who first opened our eyes with his dominating performance at USC's Rising Stars camp as an underclassman. Playing both ways this year for Taft may be reducing his dominance on defense, but in the end should make him a better total football player.
"Sometimes I stand up when I get tired," Woods explained. "I need to work on staying low when that happens and on my hand placement."
Woods will be playing only one way at the next level and could be one of the more disruptive interior linemen to come out of the 2011 class.
Billy Tucker is a recruiting coordinator for Scouts Inc. and has close to a decade of coaching experience at the college and high school level.