One on One with Al Woods

Elton native, Al Woods, is a senior defensive tackle for the LSU Tigers. Woods was considered the top recruit of the 2006 LSU signing class. He was rated amongst the top defensive tackle prospects in the country by every major recruiting publication. During his first three seasons at LSU, Woods only started three of the 28 games he played in. However, this season Woods is expected to make a major contribution as one of the Tigers two starting defensive tackles. In the Tigers season opening victory at Washington, Woods matched a career high with four solo tackles.

Lumpkin: When I talked to you last spring you told me that you were in the best shape of your life. Is that still the case here in late August?
Woods: Yeah, I weighed 310 pounds then, now I’m down to 304. It’s been nothing but good for me. We have been playing good up front (on the defensive line) collectively as a defense. This has been a real good August camp and I’ve been having a lot of fun. I just thank my coaches and teammates for making it a good experience for me for my last time.

LSU Senior Devensive Tackle Al Woods
Lumpkin: Can you believe that you’re a senior now? It seems like it was just last year that I was interviewing you on signing day in Elton.
Woods: I know! Time has flown by, but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

Lumpkin: During August camp, have you taken most of your repetitions with the first team defense?
Woods: Yes.

Lumpkin: How would you rate your performance during August camp?
Woods: I think it’s been good. As a defensive line and as a defense, we’ve been practicing really well together. And to be honest with you, I have to keep it going at a high level. I have Charles Alexander and Drake Nevis that’s playing on the side of me and behind me so I have to keep it up. The competition level is so high that if one of us has an off day and another one of us has a good day the depth chart could change. I’ve been playing extremely well, but the competition level is extremely high.

Lumpkin: John Chavis was hired as your defensive coordinator in January. Working with Chavis over the last eight months, are you and your defensive teammates extremely comfortable with him and his defensive philosophy?
Woods: Oh yeah! We all love coach Chavis because the way he comes to work with his enthusiasm, it’s contagious. You may come to practice one day when you’re hurting, kind of feeling sorry for yourself, and you don’t feel like practicing. But you see Chavis with his energy and you’re like, ok, well I’m ready to go to work.
Lumpkin: If you could be any dinosaur that ever existed, what dinosaur would you be?
Woods: (Laughs) Oh, man! I would have to say a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Lumpkin: Why a Tyrannosaurus Rex?
Woods: Because I’m a meat eater (laughs)! I love to eat meat and T-Rexes love to eat meat. It’s a good combination there (laughs).

Lumpkin: Has a reporter ever asked you that question?
Woods: (Laughs) Uh, no.

Lumpkin: Well, now you have been asked that question. And I have to say, I thought you were more of a Triceratops.
Woods: (Laughs)

Lumpkin: Alright, back to football questions. Last year the LSU defense struggled (allowed 24 points per game). It wasn’t a typical year for the LSU defense. Would you agree?
Woods: Yes, I would agree.

Lumpkin: How much emphasis has there been on improving this defense for 2009?
Woods: To be honest with you, it’s like the whole team thing. We all took that role, saying as a team we have to get better. Not just the defense or the offensive line or the running backs. Collectively as a team we are trying to get better. We want to get back to where we were a couple of years ago when we were a dominant defense.