"Center" Of Attention

NOTE: This feature on Dustin Woodard first appeared in the Memphis GameDay program Nov. 29 when the Tigers hosted Cincinnati.

Tiger Nation, on this Senior Day, you'll see one of the most decorated players in Tigers football history competing for his final time at the Liberty Bowl.

This player holds single-game and single-season scoring records. He's the single-season record-holder for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

He holds passing records for yards in a game and season. He also has the fourth and sixth-most passing yards in a season.

He has receiving records for catches in a game, season and career. He holds receiving records for yardage in a game, season and career. And, he is the leader in touchdown catches for a game, season and career.

Finally, he holds two spots on both charts for passing and rushing in a career. He is third and fifth among the program's top-10 passers and second and third among Memphis' all-time rushers.

Who is this versatile, multi-faceted, incredibly-talented player for the Tigers?

It's someone who delights in being behind-the-scenes. He is someone who is just fine with all the others taking the spotlight. In fact, he revels in others getting honors and awards.

That player is senior offensive lineman Dustin Woodard, who has starred at center in 2019.

"I'm not the type of guy that likes all the attention," said Woodard, who is starting in the 50th game of his career today. "I just do my job and do what's best for the team and allow my play to speak for itself.

"I like seeing the success we're having with our skill positions. At the same time, I'm prideful in how I play. I pride myself in being consistent and earning the trust of the coaches. It's great seeing our offensive linemen working together and help give success to the skill positions."

Deputy head coach and offensive line coach Ryan Silverfield added, "We (offensive line) don't mind staying in the dark and giving the spotlight to those athletes around us that put up the numbers. We just want to have a part in it. It's not about us, it's about everybody else. The biggest thing we do is we try to keep our names out of the newspaper."

However, it's hard to keep hidden when blocking for some of the program's most prolific offenses in history. Although his name is not attached directly to the records already mentioned, Woodard and his offensive line mates are a big reason why the Tigers have had a high-octane offense the last four seasons.

In his time at Memphis, Woodard has been a member of four offensive lines that have helped the Tigers pile up more than 25,000 yards of total offense and 2,100-plus points. Woodard, a 2016 247Sports.com True Freshman All-America pick, has blocked for the program's first unanimous All-American in Darrell Henderson last season and Memphis' first non-specialist consensus All-American in Anthony Miller in 2017.

Pretty good company to be in, huh?

"Dustin should hold his head up high knowing that he's been a part of the most prolific offenses in Memphis history," said Silverfield. "It does start with him, the success he's had. I think he takes pride in that. He's bought into that whole-heartedly. He has a team-first approach. A year from now or 10 years from now, he'll look back and say 'Man, what a wonderful ride that was for us.'"

Woodard's ride to the Bluff City began back in Chandler, Ariz., where he was spotted by then-Arizona State assistant coach Mike Norvell. When he was named head coach at Memphis in December 2015, Norvell – along with Silverfield who had joined Norvell's staff – talked Woodard into making the 1,424-mile trek to Memphis and call the "Land of the Blues" home for the next four years.

"He was my first true recruit when I left the Detroit Lions. He was my first and only real recruit I had my chance to go out and get," Silverfield said. "Obviously, his relationship (with Norvell) and others on that Arizona State staff that came here helped in his recruiting, but coming to Memphis was a long way from home.

"His family came here for an official visit, and just like a lot of people, they fell in love with Memphis. They understood what we were trying to accomplish here with the culture – the service, sacrifice, respect mentality. The whole family fell in love with it, and the feeling was mutual. We wanted to get Dustin here, and it's worked out well. There was probably some homesickness at the beginning. After his freshman season ended, he bought in and truly appreciated Memphis for all it has to offer. And now he absolutely loves this place. He loves the city, the University, the community, the fans."

Woodard said, "I really believed in Coach Norvell from the beginning. He's a true person. Also, Coach Silverfield talked to me a lot when I was getting recruited here. When he visited the house, I knew he was a genuine dude. I just wanted to give it (Memphis) a chance.

"At the end of the day, I knew it was just a couple hours flight home. I wasn't too worried about it. I was ready to go out and get my college career started. I wanted to try something new, and it worked out for the best."

Indeed, it has worked out for both Woodard and Memphis. In addition to all the statistical records and marks Woodard and the Tigers have compiled, the wins are much sweeter. Woodard's teams have won 36 games, claimed two American Athletic Conference West Division titles and played in back-to-back American Championship Games. Woodard and his fellow seniors also are going down in program history as the only four-year class with two 10-win seasons on its résumé.

"Dustin's been a great player for us, to come in and be able to start as a true freshman from his second game on," said head coach Mike Norvell. "His versatility and intelligence has been instrumental, and he's developed as a leader for the guys up front.

"He's one of our best players, and I'm really proud of what he's done, what he means to this program. He's been a focal point for our guys on the offensive line and has helped us achieve all the success we've had."

A reason for his success has been Woodard's versatility. He's played left and right guard, and this season, he's started at center. It has been his ability to adapt and his relentless effort for consistency that has made him an integral part of the Memphis offense.

"Dustin was a left tackle in high school. When he came here, he knew he'd be an interior player for us," said Silverfield. "He started for two years at left guard for us, and was a Freshman All-American in his first year. Last season, we moved him to right guard, and then this year, played him at center. Part of the reason we could move him is because he's athletic, because he's smart, because he's tough, and he has a full understanding of what we're trying to accomplish up front."

Woodard added, "My first year I told myself 'I'm going to work as hard as I can and we'll see what happens.' Of course, everybody wants to play their freshman year. I worked as hard as I could. If it happened, it was meant to be.

"I try to earn their (coaches') trust every day, every snap. Working hard every day to be consistent is one way to build trust, and I think I've done that."

Woodard's earned more than trust. He's left a legacy for future lineman to follow and for Tigers fans to cherish.

"The fans have been great every year," Woodard said. "The support's been amazing.

"I want to be remembered as someone who came to work every day. A person that does what's best for the team. A person that doesn't worry about himself, very selfless. He just worked hard and got better every day."

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