A. J. Woods Bio
Anthony “A. J.” Woods Jr. (born March 28, 2001) is an American professional football cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers and entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2024. A native of Maryland, Woods has spent his early professional years moving between practice squads and active rosters across the league, building experience in secondary play. He is a Super Bowl champion after being part of the Philadelphia Eagles roster that won Super Bowl LIX.
Listed at 5 feet 10 inches and 186 pounds, Woods has worked to carve out a role as a defensive back at the professional level. His career has included stops in Washington, Philadelphia, Denver, and Atlanta within the span of less than two seasons, reflecting the journeyman path many undrafted cornerbacks travel.
Early Life and Background
A. J. Woods was born in Germantown, Maryland on March 28, 2001. He grew up in the same community where he would later attend high school and develop into a college-level football recruit. Germantown, a suburb in Montgomery County, has produced several college athletes, and Woods emerged from that local football culture as a defensive back prospect.
He attended Northwest High School in Germantown, where he played cornerback and earned a three-star recruiting rating. As a high schooler, Woods drew attention from college programs looking for skilled secondary players. His development at Northwest laid the groundwork for a college career at the Football Bowl Subdivision level.
Originally, Woods committed to James Madison University in 2018, but he later switched his commitment to the University of Pittsburgh, seeking a stronger competitive stage in the Atlantic Coast Conference. That decision set him on a path toward a five-year college career with the Panthers.
Path to American Football
Woods joined the Pittsburgh Panthers football program and went on to spend five seasons with the team between 2019 and 2023. As a college cornerback, he worked to develop his coverage skills, tackling, and football instincts against top-level college competition. Pittsburgh’s defensive scheme gave him opportunities to face high-caliber receivers on a weekly basis.
During his time at Pittsburgh, Woods appeared in 59 games, a significant workload for a defensive back over a five-year span. He recorded 70 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, four interceptions, 25 pass breakups, and one forced fumble across his college career. Those numbers reflected his role as a steady, multi-year contributor in the Panthers secondary.
Following his senior season, Woods earned an invitation to play in the East–West Shrine Bowl, a postseason all-star game that showcases NFL draft hopefuls. Although he ultimately went undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft, his Shrine Bowl appearance helped introduce him to professional scouts and coaching staffs around the league.
A. J. Woods Career
Early Career (2024)
After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft, A. J. Woods signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2024. The signing gave him his first opportunity in a professional training camp and a chance to compete for a roster spot. Woods worked through Washington offseason and preseason activities as he adjusted to the speed and complexity of the professional game.
His time in Washington was brief. The Commanders released Woods on August 27, 2024, as part of their roster trimming process ahead of the regular season. Despite the early setback, Woods remained in position to catch on with another organization as the season opened.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2024–2025)
On September 10, 2024, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Woods to their practice squad, providing him a fresh start within a competitive NFC organization. Practice squad moves are common for young cornerbacks still refining their professional game, and Woods used the opportunity to stay ready for a potential call-up to the active roster.
While with the Eagles, Woods was part of the organization that won Super Bowl LIX, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22. He earned a Super Bowl championship as a member of that roster. On February 14, 2025, Woods signed a reserve/future contract with Philadelphia, signaling the team’s interest in retaining him for the following season.
However, on August 26, 2025, the Eagles waived Woods as part of their final roster cuts. The move ended his time in Philadelphia but opened the door for opportunities elsewhere as teams finalized their rosters for the 2025 season.
Denver Broncos Stint (2025)
On September 24, 2025, A. J. Woods was signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad. Joining Denver gave him another chance to develop within an AFC organization and to learn from a different defensive coaching staff. Practice squad roles allow players to train with the team while remaining eligible for promotion or other roster moves around the league.
Woods’s time in Denver lasted only a few weeks. He was released by the Broncos on October 18, 2025, ending a short stint on their practice roster. The quick turnaround led him back into a familiar position as a free agent looking for the next opportunity.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2025–Present)
On October 28, 2025, Woods signed with the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad. The move brought him to an NFC South club seeking depth at cornerback and offered Woods a chance to contribute in a new conference and defensive system. He continued his practice squad role with Atlanta through the end of the 2025 regular season.
On January 5, 2026, Woods signed a reserve/future contract with Atlanta, securing his place with the Falcons organization beyond the current season. Reserve/future contracts allow teams to retain practice squad players for the next league year, providing both stability for the player and continued depth for the team.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a cornerback, A. J. Woods brings the physical traits and on-field habits that defensive coordinators look for in the secondary. His college production included 25 pass breakups and four interceptions across 59 games, indicating consistent work in coverage and a willingness to challenge receivers at the catch point. His 5-foot-10 frame and 186-pound build are typical for an NFL cornerback, and his experience across multiple organizations has given him exposure to varied defensive schemes and coaching philosophies.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining milestone of Woods’s early career came when he won Super Bowl LIX as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, who defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22. That championship places him among the small group of players who reach a Super Bowl ring within their first professional season. He also reached a notable career checkpoint in January 2026 when he signed a reserve/future contract with Atlanta, signaling continued belief from an NFL franchise in his development.
A. J. Woods Career Wins
Although A. J. Woods has played primarily on practice squads and reserve contracts through his early professional seasons, his most significant team achievement came with the Philadelphia Eagles. As a member of that roster, he earned a Super Bowl championship following the Eagles’ 40–22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. Individual win totals at the NFL level have not been formally tracked in available sources for his early career.
Other Wins & Performances
In addition to his Super Bowl ring, Woods’s most notable performance came during his college career at Pittsburgh, where he appeared in 59 games and produced 70 tackles, four interceptions, and 25 pass breakups. His selection to the East–West Shrine Bowl after his senior season also stands as a key pre-professional accomplishment, highlighting his draft-eligible status and his ability to compete against other top seniors.
A. J. Woods Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about A. J. Woods’s family background is limited. He was raised in Germantown, Maryland, the same community where he attended Northwest High School, suggesting strong local ties during his formative years. Detailed information about his parents or extended family has not been made publicly available through verified sources.
Personal Life
A. J. Woods keeps his personal life largely private. Available verified sources do not list a spouse, partner, or children, and there is no widely published public information about his relationships or residence outside of his professional affiliations. His public presence centers on his football career and team activities.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of transition for A. J. Woods, who moved between multiple NFL organizations while remaining on practice squad rosters. He was waived by the Philadelphia Eagles on August 26, 2025, before joining the Denver Broncos practice squad on September 24. After his release by Denver on October 18, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons practice squad on October 28, giving him a stable landing spot for the back half of the season.
While Woods did not appear in regular-season game action across these practice squad stops in available reporting, his movement reflects the value teams placed on his secondary skills and his potential to contribute on special teams or in sub-package defensive roles. His signing of a reserve/future contract with Atlanta on January 5, 2026, suggests the Falcons view him as part of their long-term secondary depth chart.
Looking ahead, Woods’s outlook centers on competing for an active roster spot in Atlanta’s secondary and contributing on special teams as he continues to develop. His familiarity with multiple defensive systems across Washington, Philadelphia, Denver, and Atlanta gives him a versatile foundation as he works toward a more permanent role at the cornerback position.