Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Collinsworth was slated to be a regular in Notre Dame's three-man rotation at safety in 2012 before shoulder surgery that summer derailed those plans. photo by Bill panzica 2012 to hang on to his starting job. Wood slid back to Russell's side of the field when Jackson returned to full health and would have to battle for chances to prove himself behind the sophomore. It was impossible for Wood to hide his frustration a year ago when he watched what should have been his golden opportunity falling into the capable hands of the true freshman. There was nothing he could do to fix it. "That was rough on him. It definitely took its toll," said wide receiver TJ Jones, who is also Wood's roommate. "Always needing help with the crutches or scooters or people holding open doors for him, I think that really did the most to him. He was always needing something." Jones said the darkness faded when Wood started walking again and continued to dissipate as he got a chance to train. The more he could work and the less help he needed, the easier it became. He felt strong when he returned to the field in March. He had made his way through the Apopka trees on his spring break a week earlier, although he said he didn't feel truly himself on the field for several more months. Wood added 10 pounds of muscle during the summer. Jones said he could feel the difference when his roommate got his hands on him in press coverage. As it became clear that Russell had won the starting job and freshman cornerback Cole Luke would push for playing time in August, Wood's spirits didn't