Woodley thankful to be given second chance

The Missouri football team will have one returning starter in the defensive backfield this season. But if Alex Woodley had kept himself on the field last season, that number might be two.

Woodley, who played for Missouri on Saturday for the first time since the 2005 spring practices, was suspended by coach Gary Pinkel for disciplinary reasons before last season. Woodley said he was suspended to “bring up his grades” and to help him resolve some personal issues. Woodley said that he has taken care of his academic responsibilities.

“Coach Pinkel told me that I have to get my grades up and stay out of trouble,” Woodley said. “Then he said he would give me a clean slate.”

Pinkel has done that but has also forced Woodley to start at the bottom of Missouri’s depth chart. After finishing last season’s spring practices as the team’s No. 3 cornerback and primary kick returner, Woodley is now listed as the team’s No. 4 left cornerback and will have to earn a place on the return team.

“I went backward since last season. I’ve fallen behind. Right now, I’m just trying to get back to where I should be and do what I can with the next two years,” Woodley said.

“I had a great opportunity last season and I blew it.”

Woodley is also a walk-on this season, having lost his scholarship before last season. But Woodley said it is “only a matter of time” before he is contributing to the team.

“I think that I’m doing everything right,” Woodley said. “I think I did pretty good this spring.”

Pinkel agreed, but said he and his coaches need more time to evaluate his progress.

“I think he did well this spring,” Pinkel said. “He’s a good athlete and he can definitely help us this season.”

In Saturday’s game, Woodley got limited playing time and didn’t play until the second half. In the second half, he had one tackle and forced running back Connell Davis to fumble. He also was on the return team and fielded three kicks.

“It’s excellent to be back,” Woodley said. “It hurt me to be away from the team.”

It hurt him so badly that he still tried to be a part of the team last season. Even though he wasn’t going to participate in drills, Woodley said he went to as many practices as he could. He also attended every Tigers game last season. But, since he was not with the team, he could only watch.

“Man, it was hard,” Woodley said. “Watching practice last season killed me.

“I was as down as a person could be.”

Returning to the football team may give Woodley a chance to temporarily forget about his family’s situation. His father, Alexander, is battling a tumor in his leg. His mother, Linda, is unemployed.

“Everything about life is going so bad,” Woodley said. “I’ve been trying to stay on track and get everything taken care of... It’s just been hard on me.”

But on Saturday, Woodley appeared to be in a good mood. Once again wearing No. 32, he graciously signed autographs for anybody who asked after the game. On his way off Faurot Field, the 5-foot-11 Woodley jumped flat-footedly to reach the crossbar in the south endzone. He easily grabbed it with his right hand, exhibiting the athleticism Pinkel described.

“I’m just so glad to be back on the team,” Woodley said. “I just want to thank coach Pinkel for giving me a second chance to play with the team.”

Pinkel said he was glad to give Woodley that chance.

“We try to give kids another chance. Kids make mistakes,” Pinkel said. “I give kids chances in different ways. Hopefully, he can take advantage.”

Woodley will get his first opportunity to show Pinkel his appreciation in Missouri’s opening game at home against Murray State. The Sept. 2 game will happen almost two years after his last game. On Nov. 27, 2004, Woodley returned one kickoff for 24 yards in Missouri’s 17-14 win at Iowa State.

Although it will be against a Div. I-AA opponent, Woodley expects the game to be an emotional one. It is a game that he has been looking forward to for more than a year.

“There are no words to describe how it’s going to feel, ” Woodley said. “I might break down crying.”