Charles Woods Bio
Charles Woods is an American professional football cornerback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). Born on June 17, 2000, in Dallas, Texas, he played college football for the Illinois State Redbirds, West Virginia Mountaineers, and SMU Mustangs. Standing 5 ft 11 in tall and weighing 185 lb, Woods is regarded as a quick and agile defensive back whose journey from a no-star high school recruit to an NFL cornerback reflects steady development across multiple collegiate programs.
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, Woods signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent. He later joined the New England Patriots in 2025 and continues his professional career in the defensive secondary.
Early Life and Background
Charles Woods was born on June 17, 2000, in Dallas, Texas. He grew up in the same city and attended Justin F. Kimball High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete competing in football, basketball, and track and field. His high school experience helped shape the speed and athleticism that would later define his play on the defensive side of the ball.
With the Kimball football team, Woods earned second-team all-district recognition as a junior and was promoted to first-team all-district as a senior. In his final high school season, he posted 35 receptions for 678 yards, 27 carries for 148 yards, and 16 total touchdowns, demonstrating his versatility as both a receiver and a runner. Despite these productive numbers, he entered the college recruitment cycle as a no-star recruit.
Path to American Football
Woods committed to play college football at Illinois State University, joining the Redbirds as a defensive back in 2018. As a freshman, he appeared in 11 games and made three starts, recording 16 tackles while adjusting to the speed of the collegiate game. The following season, in 2019, he became a full-time starter and was named an honorable mention FCS Sophomore All-American by HERO Sports.
After his 2020 campaign at Illinois State was limited by the COVID-19 pandemic, Woods announced his intention to transfer. He initially pledged to the SMU Mustangs before flipping his commitment to the West Virginia Mountaineers. He later transferred a second time to join SMU for his final year of eligibility in 2023.
Charles Woods Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Woods spent his first three college seasons with the Illinois State Redbirds, steadily increasing his role each year. In 2019, he started all 15 games, finishing the year with 48 tackles, four interceptions, and 17 passes defended, a figure that ranked second in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. His ball-hawking instincts and coverage skills began to attract wider attention.
The 2020 season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Woods still started all four games and added 20 tackles and two interceptions. After the season, he declared his intention to leave Illinois State, setting the stage for his high-profile transfer to a Power Five program.
West Virginia Mountaineers Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Joining the West Virginia Mountaineers in 2021, Woods quickly earned a role in the secondary. He totaled 31 tackles, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries during his first season in the Big 12 Conference. His physicality against bigger receivers stood out as he transitioned from FCS competition to the Power Five level.
In 2022, Woods opted to redshirt and appeared in only four games, three as a starter, recording seven solo tackles. Following the season, he entered the transfer portal once more and ultimately committed to the SMU Mustangs, the program he had originally considered before joining West Virginia.
SMU Mustangs Breakthrough (2023)
Woods used his final year of eligibility at SMU in 2023, where he started all 14 games and delivered his most well-rounded college season. He recorded 27 tackles and led the team with 11 pass breakups, earning third-team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) honors in the process.
His standout coverage work at SMU helped position him for a professional opportunity, even as an unselected prospect in the 2024 NFL draft.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2024)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, Woods signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent. He performed well enough in training camp and the preseason to make the team’s initial 53-man roster for the 2024 season. On December 2, 2024, he was waived and quickly re-signed to the practice squad before inking a reserve/future contract on January 20, 2025.
Woods appeared in regular-season games for the Rams, recording 14 total tackles and one pass deflection. On August 26, 2025, he was waived by Los Angeles as part of final roster cuts.
New England Patriots Era (2025–Present)
On August 27, 2025, Woods was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots, joining the team’s defensive secondary. The move gave him an opportunity to continue his professional career in the AFC East.
Playing Style and Strengths
Woods is known for his agility, quick feet, and coverage instincts, traits sharpened across multiple college programs. His college production in passes defended and interceptions suggests a defensive back comfortable working in both man and zone schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Signing with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2024, making the initial 53-man roster, and earning third-team All-AAC honors in 2023 are among the defining early milestones of his career.
Charles Woods Career Highlights
Through his early NFL tenure, Charles Woods has recorded 14 total tackles and one pass deflection in regular-season play, numbers that reflect a developmental role in the defensive secondary.
SMU Mustangs Highlights
During his lone season at SMU in 2023, Woods started all 14 games and led the Mustangs with 11 pass breakups while adding 27 tackles. His third-team All-AAC selection marked his most significant collegiate recognition and helped him earn an NFL opportunity as an undrafted free agent.
Charles Woods Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Publicly available information on Charles Woods’s parents and immediate family is limited. He grew up in Dallas, Texas, and attended Justin F. Kimball High School, where his multi-sport participation shaped his athletic foundation.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Woods competing for a roster spot with the Los Angeles Rams before final cuts on August 26, 2025. The next day, he was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots, providing a fresh opportunity in the AFC East.
As he settles into the Patriots’ defensive system, Woods looks to translate his coverage skills and special teams value into a more stable role. His trajectory from undrafted free agent to a claimed waiver pickup highlights the resilience required to sustain an NFL career.
