The two final contenders in Will Wood’s recruiting process were Boston College and Penn State.
Boston College, of course, is led by former Penn State coach Bill O’Brien and is the more geographically convenient recruiting option for Wood, who is from Westwood, Massachusetts, less than half an hour from BC.
But Wood developed a close relationship with Penn State’s quarterbacks coach, Jake Waters, offensive coordinator, Taylor Mouser and, of course, head coach, Matt Campbell, who texted a guy named Brock Purdy about Wood’s high school film (Purdy was impressed).
Penn State Battling Familiar Face for QB Will Wood as Decision Nears
Wood committed to Penn State in mid-May, and although BC is still interested, he remains firm in his commitment almost five months later, and being there for one of the biggest nights in college football was only going to strengthen it.
“No, I don’t think anything has changed,” Wood told Nittany Sports Now, “nothing has changed for me since I’ve been here.”
Wood had never been to a Penn State game before this past Saturday’s White Out against USC.
His offer came in April, well after the end of last season, and there’s no better time to go to a Penn State game than the White Out.
“I expected it to be loud,” Wood said, “like everything you see on TV. I think just being there was crazier. Because I’ve never been to a game or a White Out, and what surprised me is the students didn’t waver when the game was in question, which I’ve seen at a lot of other places. Yeah, the student support was definitely something.”
Wood has proven himself to be a winner, having led Xaverian Brothers High School to state championships in each of his first two seasons as starting QB.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.This year has been more difficult, but has also sharpened Wood’s leadership abilities.
A combination of graduation and injuries has challenged Wood and his team, and Penn State has been impressed with the leadership Wood’s Shown.
“They’ve been happy to see me kind of take another level up in the leadership role,” Wood said, “and be able to produce when there may not be as much talent around me just due to the amount of injuries and guys we’ve lost.”
“I’ve been able to learn how to be very… just how to fight through adversity… I think it just prepares me for going to college because there’s been times like this year that I’ve struggled, and I need to be able to look at someone.”
Wood was there for the biggest crowd in Penn State history.
He looks forward even more to experiencing these nights as a player.
“There’s nowhere else in college football like it,” he said.
