34 Days To K-State Football: Tanner Wood Player Preview

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Happy weekend, EMAWniatics (hmmm, need seriously to reconsider using that one) – we’re just 34 days away from kick-off against North Dakota State and with it comes our breakdown of #34 Tanner Wood, one of K-State’s most heralded recruits in the class of 2013. Wood, a projected defensive end from Conway Springs, Kansas, is a four-star recruit and should see playing time during all four years of eligibility with the team.

Wood was always determined to play close to home and briefly considered Nebraska before going all in for K-State immediately preceding his junior year of high school. However, he was good enough to go just about anywhere in the nation. Playing quarterback for Conway Springs, he rushed for 2,709 yards and 39 touchdowns while passing for 526 yards and six touchdowns. He also played middle linebacker, where he made 106 tackles with two touchdowns – one interception return and another on a fumble return. Plus two touchdowns on kickoff returns. He owns the state’s single-game rushing record with 659 yards in 2012. His production led him to be named the Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year.

On the national level, the 6’5″, 250 pound player with a 3.92 GPA was ranked 16th at weakside defensive end by Rivals. ESPN rated him the #34 inside linebacker, his high school position. ESPN noted both his inside run support (shedding plus strength at point of attack) as well as his straight-up tackling ability. He’s highly versatile, having spent time at fullback for three years in addition to his senior year at quarterback and time at linebacker (he was a quarterback not necessarily for his throwing ability, but brute strength in running over opponents in the single wing offense). However, he is definitely defensive end material at the next level.

Wood may redshirt this season – a decision yet to be made. He had offseason shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum that he suffered his junior year but chose to wait until after his senior season to address. He appears to be progressing fine, but sometimes it’s safer to wait a year and not risk any reinjury. The surgery requires about a month in a sling and another two to four months of physical therapy, which still doesn’t guarantee a return to full strength. However, if he appears ready to perform and the revamped defensive line appears to have a hard time gelling, he could well see the field his true freshman year.

To work backwards in the countdown, visit 35 days, where we preview LB Will Davis.