Josh Woods Bio
Josh Woods is an American professional football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He was born on July 1, 1996, in Baltimore, Maryland. Woods played his high school football at McDonogh School, where he excelled as both a cornerback and wide receiver, earning first-team All-Metro and All-State honors. He then continued his football career at the University of Maryland, playing primarily as a defensive back. After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, Woods signed with the Chicago Bears, eventually transitioning to linebacker and contributing to various teams in the NFL, including the Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals, before joining the Falcons.
Early Life and Background
Josh Woods was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended KIPP Baltimore (KIPP Ujima Village Academy) through eighth grade before moving on to McDonogh School for high school. At McDonogh, he played both cornerback and wide receiver for the Eagles. His performance on the field earned him first-team All-Metro honors from the Baltimore Sun and first-team All-State recognition during his senior year. Woods made a significant impact on the field, recording 35 tackles and four interceptions on defense while catching 35 passes for 800 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense, helping McDonogh achieve an 11-0 record and win its first MIAA state championship. Throughout his high school career, Woods maintained a strong academic record, graduating with a grade point average of 4.267.
Rated as a three-star recruit, Woods committed to play college football at the University of Maryland, choosing the Terrapins over offers from Virginia and Delaware. His early exposure to competitive football and his academic achievements laid a solid foundation for his future in the sport.
Path to American Football
Woods played four seasons for the Maryland Terrapins as a defensive back. During his freshman and sophomore years, he primarily contributed on special teams, participating in 14 total games and making two tackles. As a junior, he became a key member of the Terrapins’ secondary, playing in ten games with five starts and making 41 tackles, including one for loss, while breaking up two passes. In his senior season, Woods recorded 62 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, along with four passes broken up and two interceptions, despite missing two games due to injury. Over his college career, he appeared in 34 games with 14 starts, tallying 107 total tackles, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
After completing his college career, Woods entered the 2018 NFL Draft but went undrafted. He signed with the Chicago Bears on June 7, 2018, after participating in a veteran mini-camp on a tryout basis. Initially cut at the end of training camp, he was re-signed to the Bears’ practice squad on September 2, 2018, where he spent the entire season while transitioning to linebacker.
Josh Woods Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Woods made the Bears’ 53-man roster going into the 2019 season after a strong showing in preseason. He made his NFL debut on September 29, 2019, against the Minnesota Vikings, playing 15 snaps on special teams. In his first season, he played in nine games and made five total tackles. On March 3, 2021, Woods signed a contract extension with the Bears. However, he was waived on September 6, 2021, and subsequently re-signed to the practice squad.
Breakthrough (2021–Present)
On September 23, 2021, Woods was signed by the Detroit Lions off the Bears’ practice squad. He was placed on injured reserve on December 28, 2021, but signed a one-year contract extension with the Lions on February 22, 2022. In March 2023, Woods signed with the Arizona Cardinals but was placed on injured reserve on December 20, 2023. On September 17, 2024, he was signed to the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad and was promoted to the active roster on December 28, 2024.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Josh Woods has made significant contributions on the field, transitioning from a defensive back in college to a linebacker in the NFL. His journey through various teams showcases his resilience and adaptability in a competitive environment.
Josh Woods Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Josh Woods has not been publicly recognized with major award nominations.
Josh Woods Awards Won
As of now, Josh Woods has not won any major awards in his professional football career.
Josh Woods Family
There is limited public information available regarding Josh Woods’ family background, including details about his parents or siblings.
Personal Life
Josh Woods maintains a low profile regarding his personal life, with no publicly available information about his marital status or children.
