Throwing into heavy coverage

Going into last summer, Andre Woodson was wondering just where his University of Kentucky football career was headed.

Outplayed in the spring by Curtis Pulley, Woodson seemed on the verge of heading into 2007 as a backup quarterback.

What a difference a summer makes.

Woodson got up off the mat and re-invented himself, maturing into a hard-working team leader seemingly overnight. The results were staggering. Woodson became one of the country's most improved players, throwing for 3,515 yards with 31 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.

Now the national media can't get enough of Woodson. He's also a magazine coverboy, as his image graced the cover of Athlon's college football preview. His name is found on virtually every list of the nation's top quarterbacks, and he is viewed as a hot early commodity for the 2008 NFL Draft. Mel Kiper listed Woodson No. 6 on his first Big Board evaluating the nation's top senior prospects, and he's emerged as a dark horse Heisman candidate.

Andre Woodson, Kentucky | 6-foot-5, 230-pound senior

Statistics: 264-419 (63.0), 3,515 yards, 31 touchdowns, seven interceptions.

Comments: Enjoyed a breakthrough 2006 season that catapulted him into the nation's top tier of quarterbacks. Has prototype NFL quarterback size and boasts a strong arm with a nice, smooth delivery. Needs to improve accuracy on intermediate routes.

He's also turned into a celebrity overnight who's constantly accosted by fans and autograph seekers.

Woodson seems to be taking it all in stride, however. He said he hasn't bought or read a single pre-season magazine and prefers to remain focused on the task at hand: helping the Wildcats take another giant step after last year's breakthrough.

"Other guys read that stuff, but I try not to take it too seriously," Woodson said. "Sometimes you can read that stuff and you get overwhelmed. You put too much pressure on your shoulders."

"The biggest thing right now is taking this program where we want it to go. We don't want to get too carried away or too comfortable. Me and some of the other guys, we're not worried about hearing our names. Instead of that, we're more concerned about what we do as a team. That will do so much more for our futures than stuff people say in articles."

Woodson mentioned not putting too much pressure on his shoulders. Fact of the matter is, there's probably more pressure on Woodson than any other player on the team.

And while the offense boasts plenty of other top skill-position talent, it's up to Woodson to play at a high level and get the ball in their hands to make the offense go.

Pulley, who's scheduled to redshirt in 2007, won't be available as a safety valve, and freshmen Mike Hartline and Will Fidler have yet to show they're ready for prime time. An injury to Woodson could be catastrophic.

Once again, Woodson addresses those issues with a levelheadedness he didn't appear to have a year ago.

"Coach says all the time that if you're playing the game and worrying about getting injured then you're not really playing the game," Woodson said. "I can't worry about getting hurt. Our backups have had a good summer, and they're getting prepared. Those guys are just like me when I was their age. They have talent. They're just trying to get a good understanding of things."

UK Coach Rich Brooks generally likes to keep his program away from a bunch of hoopla, but Brooks said Woodson proved last year that he's mature enough to handle whatever attention comes his way.

"I'm not worried at all about Andre," he said. "He has turned the corner as a leader. He's a guy who's motivated to get the best of his ability. He's had a real positive summer. He's staying in shape and working hard."

While Woodson says he stays away from the college football magazines, he does admit to being a huge college football fan. His name is right up there with Louisville's Brian Brohm, Hawaii's Colt Brennan, Michigan's Chad Henne and USC's John David Booty in the top tier of quarterbacks, but Woodson declined to say where he thought he ranked on that list.

As for who's the best quarterback in the state between Brian Brohm and Woodson, Woodson wouldn't bite. ("That's something that you really can't compare," he said.)

Woodson said he doesn't know Brian Brohm personally but said, "He's a great quarterback who does a good job of directing the offense." The two quarterbacks will go head-to-head Sept. 15 at Commonwealth Stadium.

Woodson's humility is probably the biggest thing that made him return to UK this year. He almost assuredly would have been a first-day pick in this year's draft. Teammates Keenan Burton and Rafael Little had their NFL stock appraised by the league advisory board, but Woodson didn't even fill out the paperwork. Woodson acknowledged watching the draft and wondering exactly where and when he would have been picked, but he said he's never second-guessed his decision.

"The bottom line is that I thought I could really benefit from getting another year of coaching," he said. "Another thing is, me and some of the other guys came here to get this program turned around. Last year was nice, but now this upcoming season we want bigger and better things."

Woodson said the two areas in which he needed the most improvement were footwork and getting better at taking advantage of the short and intermediate routes.

"Coach Sanders always says, 'Be needy, not greedy," Woodson said. "I have to learn how to get used to dumping the ball off instead of trying to go for the big play every time."

NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay has Woodson listed as the nation's third-best senior quarterback behind Brian Brohm and Henne and ahead of John David Booty and Ainge.

"He can make all the NFL throws," McShay said. "He's got the size and the arm strength, and he's obviously a different player than he was a year ago. I think everybody wants to see him follow up that success this year. He still needs to improve his touch and accuracy on the screens and dump passes, but right now I've got him as a potential late first-round pick."

Woodson called it "amazing" to think back to the uncertainty of last year and fast forward to today, when he has the opportunity to position himself to make a lot of money playing football. Yet he knows the entire Wildcat team still has something to prove.

"I think a lot of people don't think we're capable of having another good season," he said. "But we definitely want to show the critics wrong. We've got a lot of people back, the defense is better than ever, and then the environment is something I haven't seen in the past. Guys have smiles on their faces. Guys are excited about the upcoming season. Guys have been getting in the film room and getting ready for Eastern Kentucky already."

Other Top returning QBs for 2007

Brian Brohm, Louisville
6-foot-4, 226-pound senior

Statistics: 199-313 (63.6), 3,049 yards, 16 touchdowns, five interceptions

Comments: Perhaps the most NFL-ready quarterback in the college ranks. Has been prepped for this situation since childhood, as both his father, Oscar, and older brother Jeff were standout college quarterbacks. Has produced in big games against top-notch competition. Is savvy, cool under fire and has textbook mechanics. Has been slowed by injury each of the past two seasons; needs to prove he can stay healthy.

John David Booty, USC
6-foot-3, 210 pound senior

Statistics: 269-436 (61.7), 3,347 yards, 29 touchdowns, nine interceptions.

Comments: The latest in the long line of standout Trojan quarterbacks, John David Booty will try to become the third USC signal caller in six years to win the Heisman Trophy. Doesn't have overwhelming physical attributes, but knows how to get the ball in the right spots to the right people. Has benefitted from playing with one of the best supporting casts college football has to offer. Has only started for one year, so he's not as experienced as most fifth-year seniors.

Colt Brennan, Hawaii
6-foot-3, 196-pound senior

Statistics: 406-559 (72.6), 5,549 yards, 58 touchdowns, 12 interceptions.

Comments: Quarterbacks in June Jones' run-and-shoot always put up big numbers, but NFL scouts think Brennan is the real deal. Tough and confident, Brennan has a strong and accurate arm and can make all the throws. The Warriors could go the entire 2007 season without playing a ranked team, so Brennan may need to surpass his mind-boggling 2006 numbers to get serious Heisman consideration.

Chad Henne, Michigan
6-foot-2, 224-pound senior

Statistics: 203-328 (61.9), 2,508 yards, 22 interceptions, eight interceptions.

Comments: A starter since the first game of his freshman season, Henne is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the nation. Surprisingly, his touchdowns and passing yardage have declined each year. Has elite arm strength. May split Heisman votes with teammate Mike Hart.

Erik Ainge, Tennessee
6-foot-6, 220-pound senior

Statistics: 233-348 (67.0), 2,989 yards, 19 touchdowns, nine interceptions.

Comments: Tall and lanky gunslinger who's had an up-and-down career. Benefitted from the return of offensive coordinator David Cutlcliffe. Will battle Woodson for first-team All-SEC honors. Will be working with a young and unproven cast of wide receivers.