Interview: 2021 4.5-Star Tennessee K Connor Wood Updates Recruiting and Arkansas Visit
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Class of 2021 kicker Connor Wood turned in another big season for Lexington High School. During his freshman season, he earned Region 6-4A Kicker of the Year honors after hitting 6 of 7 field goal attempts with a long of 38-yards while nailing 30 of 30 point after attempts. The 5-10, 155 pound, kicker was back at it during his sophomore campaign connecting on 7 of 11 tries with a long of 48-yards while extending his kickoff average from 63 to 67 yards. That production has earned Wood a 4.5-star rating by kicking guru Chris Sailer and a lot of regional college recruiting interest from schools like Memphis, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, Louisville, Mississippi State, and Arkansas.
In an RNG catch-up interview, I caught up with Wood at the conclusion of his sophomore season covering his play on the field with an update on his visits to Memphis, Mississippi State, and Arkansas.
*Click link for July 16, 2018, RNG interview with Connor Wood
Interview
Connor, how did the 2018 season go for you on the field?
“It wasn’t the season we wanted, we struggled. I had a pretty good year, I was 7 of 11 with a long of 48-yards. I had an 87 percent touchback rate on kickoffs. I can’t complain about the season I had personally, but I wish we would have made the playoffs.”
You listed off your stats, what did you finish on PATs?
“I was 9 for 10 on PATs.”
How did your game improve as a field goal kicker this season?
“I had a lot more distance to my kicks. The biggest thing was the coaches had faith in me. Knowing that they trust me to make field goal is the biggest thing.”
What was your long in practice this season?
“In practice, my long was 58-yards.”
What was your longest attempt in a game?
“I missed a 53- and 52-yard attempt.”
Last season you were averaging 60 to 63 yards on kickoffs, what did you average this season?
“I think I was 65 to 67 yards on average.”
You’ve been a busy guy on Saturdays this fall taking a lot of visits, where all have you been this season?
“Yes, sir. I have been to Memphis, Tennessee-Martin, Mississippi State, and Arkansas.”
I know the Arkansas visit was over the weekend for the LSU game, how did that go?
“Arkansas was great. I loved it. The facilities are amazing, they have a beautiful campus, and the fans are awesome.”
What all did you do during your visit?
“We checked in and then toured the facilities, the weight room, and the indoor facilities. After that, we watched the Hog walk and then went to the recruiting room. They had former players and coaches speak to us. After that we went onto the field for the pre-game warm-ups. It was such a fun experience.”
What about the Memphis visit, how did that go?
“It was fun. My house is two hours away. I have some friends that play there, always fun seeing them. I plan on going back there at the end of the season.”
How did the MSU visit go?
“Starkville was awesome. Their facilities are awesome and the game was awesome. There is not much to say but it was awesome. Getting down on the field for an SEC game, there is nothing like it.”
You mentioned another upcoming visit planned to Memphis, do you have any others you may take?
“I am planning on visiting Louisville this weekend. I have talked to A&M and Vanderbilt about possibly visiting soon.”
Outside of all the schools we have already mentioned, are there any other programs showing interest in you?
“Ole Miss is showing interest.”
Have you started looking ahead to kicking camps?
“Yes, sir. I am signed up for a Chris Sailer camp in Georgia this fall, a Kohls’ camp in Atlanta, and another Chris Sailer camp in Las Vegas in January.”
What are your offseason workout/kicking goals?
“I am trying to put more weight on, I want to be at 180 by my senior year. I know I can do it in the weight room with hard work.”
Photo credit: Wood family; Connor Wood