The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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46 THE WOLVERINE ❱ AUGUST 2026 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE BY ETHAN MCDOWELL C harles Woodson Jr. chose to con- tinue his family legacy in Ann Ar- bor this spring. Schools like Kentucky, Oregon and Texas A&M also offered the three-star safety, but Michigan always loomed large in his recruitment. He committed to the Wolverines on May 15. Michigan's new staff made him a top priority shortly after hitting the recruiting trail in January, and they built a strong relationship. Looking past the family legacy attached to his recruit- ment, the Wolverines like his instincts and football IQ. His high school coach, David Aubrey from Orlando (Fla.) Lake Nona High, raved about his experience coaching the 5-foot-11, 170-pound defensive back over the past few years. "Charles has just always been a plea- sure to be around," Aubrey said. "He's willing to work hard for everything he wants. He's become a pretty good vo- cal leader for us, and he just under- stands what it takes to play at a cer- tain level, and he works towards that, and he achieves that, especially during the offseason and during practices. It's just enjoyable to be around a kid that's coachable and that just loves the pro- cess." Woodson has been special since his days in Pop Warner, Aubrey explained. He's a longtime high school coach and has connections at plenty of colleges who would often ask about the Michi- gan legacy prospect when they visited Lake Nona. "He's always had a good eye for the ball," Aubrey said. "He's always been long, rangy. He knows how to attack the ball, and what's very surprising to me is how physical he is. After his junior sea- son, when we put his highlight film to- gether, some of his first clips are of him just coming up and physically dominat- ing the opponents. I think that's how I sold him, and that's how people began to view him." Delaware was his first Division I of- fer. The Blue Hens extended a scholar- ship on Jan. 22, 2025. Syracuse offered the next day, followed by Ole Miss one week later. Florida State, Georgia Tech, Arkansas and others started recruiting him over the next few months before Michigan offered in June. Aubrey said Woodson handled the recruiting process phenomenally. His father is a beloved superstar among Wolverine fans, but he gave the rising defensive back space to navigate his own decision-making journey. "He really tried to create his own path and create a name for himself, and it's really fun to watch because his dad has really given him the opportunity to do that. … I think he handled the pressure well because there are some big shoes to fill," Aubrey said. "But he's put in the work. He's put in the time. He obviously has the athletic ability to do it, so just having a strong academic background and strong family life has really afforded him the opportunity to get to where he is now." M i c h i ga n se n t a h u ge g ro u p o f coaches, including head coach Kyle Whittingham, to visit Woodson at Lake Nona in January. The Wolverines remain in contact with Aubrey, and he said the staff has been very personable through- out the process. Aubrey knows Michigan will be a good spot for Woodson because of his family legacy. Expectations will come with seeing Woodson on the back of the maize-and-blue jerseys again, but his coach believes he has the drive to play at that level. "What's good for Charles is that he just knows how to work hard," Aubrey said. "He knows what it takes. But re- gardless of that fact, he's going to be taken care of. He's a Woodson. Wood- son is a brand up there. I think it's a re- ally good situation for him because he'll be taken care of." ❑ Charles Woodson Jr. Continues Family Legacy PLAYER EVALUATION STRENGTHS: He's not the tallest or heaviest defensive back, but he doesn't shy away from the physical part of the game and logged 73 total tackles as a junior. Woodson also forced 3 turnovers — 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble — and logged 8 defended passes. He returned one pick for a touchdown and also ran back a kickoff for another score. The defensive back pledge plays both sides of the ball and showcases solid ball skills as a receiver. It looks like he has good length on tape. He put up strong numbers while competing at the highest level of competition in Florida. Woodson is a savvy football player who reads quarterbacks well and consistently puts himself in the right place at the right time. AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: We do not have any verified speed times for Woodson. He will need to spend some time developing in the weight room once he arrives in Ann Arbor, but we see him as a prospect who has the ability and instincts to play both safety and nickel at the college level. His football IQ and versatility will help him compete for playing time and earn a role in Michigan's new defensive scheme. He took a leap from his sophomore to junior years. With a big senior season and potentially some verified size/speed measure- ments, we could see him rising in the rankings as well. PLAYER COMPARISON: NFL cornerback Brandon Cisse — Cisse was a slightly undersized but athletic safety at the high school level who developed into a lockdown defensive back in college. His instincts and playmaking ability as a return man are pretty similar to Woodson's at the prep level. — Ethan McDowell The son of Michigan Wolverines legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Charles Woodson, Charles Woodson Jr. was made a priority by the Michigan coaching staff and committed to the Wolverines in May. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS