Logan Woodside Q&A with Hustle Belt
Woodside put up some great numbers at Toledo but how will he fair against NFL competition?
“It may be a while before Woodside has to face NFL competition outside of preseason. He’ll likely enter the league as a third-string quarterback (or practice squad) behind Andy Dalton and Matt Barkley. But Woodside proved in college that no opponent is too big for the undersized quarterback. In a loss to the Miami Hurricanes, 2017 Orange Bowl participants, he completed 28-of-48 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns, all without an interception. The quarterback put up incredible numbers in college, and there’s no question that he can play the game of football. It’s all about starring in preseason — as Cowboys backup QB Cooper Rush proved his worth last August — and then capitalizing on the first regular-season opportunity he gets.”
The main knock on Woodside is his arm strength. Will that limit him to start at the next level?
“I think his size may have resulted in his draft day slip rather than his arm strength. Woodside doesn’t have the best arm strength but he’s proven time and time again that he excels at throwing an accurate deep ball. Last year in a midweek MACtion victory over Ball State, Woodside only required eight completions to accumulate 267 yards through the air, consistently finding his targets open deep down the field. Ball State’s 2017 defense and NFL defenses starkly contrast though, so Woodside’s not always going to be able to land these passes in receivers’ hands with this much ease. But he plays with high intellect, makes informed decisions about coverages, and throws rather accurate passes. Playing to his strengths will be his key to earning an NFL roster spot.”
Do you think he will someday start for a squad or do you believe he will be a career backup?
“I envision Woodside as a longterm backup, similar to the career of former Toledo quarterback Bruce Gradkowski. He possesses too much talent to be left completely off NFL rosters, as he consistently posted legendary numbers in college (including leading the FBS with 45 touchdowns in 2016). But if Woodside is going to break through and become a starter, he’ll have to go the Case Keenum route. He’ll have to rely on injuries and benched starters to see on-field action and land contracts on other teams. Keenum cycled through a handful of organizations over a course of six seasons before the Broncos claimed him as a franchise quarterback in March. Woodside will also have to perform larger than his height, improve on his weaknesses (mobility, arm strength), and develop under mentor Andy Dalton in order to go the Keenum route and earn a coveted starting job.”