Relationships matter in college football recruiting, especially with position coaches.
They’re the ones that spend essentially every moment with a player, more so than the head coach and coordinators.
Canyon del Oro High School star offensive lineman Sa’Kylee Woodard traveled to Buies Creek, North Carolina, for a recruiting visit at Campbell University, which competes at the FCS level. It was there that he was delivered some tough news: Campbell offensive line coach Famika Anae was hired for the same position at New Mexico during Woodard’s official visit and joined first-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall’s staff. Mendenhall previously coached six seasons at Virginia from 2015-21 after spending 11 seasons at BYU.
“It all happened fast,” Woodard said. “I had no idea until I got to Campbell and they let me know. I felt kind of discouraged. I was good at relationships and I had a great relationship with coach Anae.”
That following Monday, Anae called Woodard and “he explained to me everything that happened and why he left,” the CDO standout said.
Canyon del Oro’s Aaron Ramirez (32), left, and Sa’Kylee Woodard (55) wait for their defensive assignments as the sun sets on the second quarter of the Class 4A state championship matchup with Yuma Catholic on Dec. 1 in Tempe.
“He told me he wanted me to play for him (at New Mexico) and he was going to do whatever (to) make that happen,” Woodard said. “To me, that meant so much to me, because he went to a bigger school and kept me in mind.”
Woodard, who was previously offered by the hometown Arizona Wildcats during his underclassman years at CDO, kept his offer from the Lobos a secret.
“The last two weeks I’ve been stressing. I didn’t publicize this offer I got. It was all under the table and we were just trying to make things happen by Wednesday,” Woodard said.
During Early Signing Day on Wednesday, the 6-3, 300-pound Woodard committed and signed with the Lobos, becoming one of two high school players to sign with UNM during the early signing period.
Woodard will become the latest Tucsonan to play for New Mexico. Former Salpointe Catholic tight end Connor Witthoft started three seasons for the Lobos before entering the transfer portal with two years of eligibility.
Woodard, who helped CDO win a Class 4A state championship with an unblemished 14-0 record this season, joined “Spears and Ali” on ESPN Tucson 1490-AM earlier this week to talk about signing with New Mexico and his plans in Albuquerque:
Canyon del Oro’s Sa’Kylee Woodard (55) celebrates after Evan Greer (8) intercepts the ball during the Dorados’ 23-7 4A state semifinal win over Mica Mountain in November.
What stands out to you about this coaching staff?
A: “Looking at coach Bronco Mendenhall’s track record and just talking to him myself, he’s a great guy and has a lot in store for our future. What he’s known for, making bad programs into prestigious, competitive programs again, so I’m excited to enter this program as he’s joining the New Mexico Lobos — and become one of his first signees and make a difference.”
Where do you see yourself fitting in at the next level?
A: “I’ll be playing center at New Mexico, so that’s a big switch-up from what I was playing, which is left tackle, so I’m truly excited for the challenge. But what he’s been telling me is he really loves my aggression and my might on my film. To me that matters the most. As a football coach, he can sharpen up anything in a football player who is aggressive and willing to learn. He told me he wants me to be the future of his football team, so he’s going to take a lot of time to develop me to be the best center for his upcoming team.”
Canyon del Oro’s Sa’Kylee Woodard hoists teammate Chase Laux overhead celebrating Laux’s mazy run for pay dirt against Yuma Catholic in the Arizona Class 4A state championship game on Dec. 1 in Tempe.
Do you watch any centers in the NFL?
A: “Actually, my favorite football player is (Eagles center) Jason Kelce.”
What are you studying at New Mexico?
A: “I’m looking to study cybersecurity, which is basically computer and technology. My dad is in that business, so I grew very fond of it.
“A lot of things that we do consist of (artificial intelligence), so they need people in the world to counter that and make sure A.I. doesn’t corrupt everything. That’s what A.I. security is for, or cloud security. A whole bunch of things.”
Are you graduating early from CDO and enrolling early to participate in spring ball or what are your early plans for 2024?
A: “I was on track to graduate early, but I decided to stay and stay with my friends and my family and enjoy my senior year and prepare another way instead of leaving right away. I wasn’t sure where I was going to be playing football during my high school career, so I always prepared to graduate early. But this year I just decided that I didn’t want to graduate early anymore. I’ll be attending in the summer right after graduation. So I got six months to work my ass off.”
VIDEO: Canyon del Oro’s Sa’Kylee Woodard gets into the backfield for a sack on a two-point conversion try by Mica Mountain. The stop secured a 17-15 win for the Dorados over the Thunderboltsin a showdown of previously-unbeaten Tucson-rea 4A leaders. CDO improved to 7-0 with the win on Oct. 13, 2023; Mica Mountain to 6-1 on the 2023 season. (James Kelley/Special to the Arizona Daily Star)
