Ready to Report: Mason Woods

Mason Woods has dreamed all his life about putting on the Iowa football uniform and following in his father’s footsteps and play for the Hawkeyes. In a few short weeks, Woods will be reporting to the Iowa football complex to begin that journey.

The Iowa City West standout joins our Ready to Report series to discuss winning a state title this past weekend in the long jump, wrapping up his high school career, heading to Iowa and being coached by his father, his freshman roommate and the bond they share, and looking forward to running out on the Kinnick Stadium turf for the first time in an Iowa uniform.

Q: This past weekend you won a state title in the long jump. What was that moment like for you?

WOODS: It still doesn’t feel real. It’s crazy because it was my first full year doing track and I went into the season having no clue that I would be doing any field event, let alone win a state title. I am really proud of the hard work that I put in during the season.

Q: Did you kind of know it when you hit that run and took off that it was going to win you a state title?

WOODS: If I am being completely honest, the furthest thing from that. (laugh)  Honestly it felt like my worst jump. Some jumpers like to get the crowd clapping and this whole season I never did that because I thought you don’t need a clap to jump far. Then I decided to do it after talking to the jumper from Valley who won Drake. I asked him if it really helped you jump further and he said I should try it. That was probably my last jump because I had to run so I did it and it worked. But, it didn’t feel like a long jump. If you watch the video my elbow hit further back than my butt, so I was really at like 23-7.

Q: One of your current teammates at IC West and future teammate at Iowa, Colin Whitters, won his event too.

WOODS: That’s my guy too. He is my really good friend. It was really cool to do that with him. We got first and third in that event, which is crazy to do.

Q: Is school all done and when do you graduate?

WOODS: We are done on Thursday and graduation is on Sunday. I have a pre-calculus final and that’s it this week.

Q: Are you excited about wrapping it up and moving down the street to the University of Iowa?

WOODS: It’s a little bittersweet. I am really happy that I decided to stay and not graduate early because there are some great memories that I made in the second semester. I got to spend a lot more time with my friends from school. My best friend Jack is leaving on the 3^rd to go play basketball at Butler. My quarterback is leaving around the same time too. We have all been friends and now we are all leaving to go play sports and do our thing. I am really excited for them and for myself. This has been my dream since I was really little to play for the Hawkeyes.

Q: As someone who has covered the team for a long time, I can remember seeing you as a little kid running around the field at Kinnick with your mom and dad nearby. Do you remember those times running around as a kid and think about those moments now when you will soon be out there in an Iowa uniform?

WOODS: I don’t really remember a time when I was little when I wasn’t running around the field. I remember being a crazy kid and now it’s super surreal that I will be playing there. Even when I committed, it didn’t feel real. Now I am blessed to have this chance and I am going to take advantage of this opportunity.

Q: How cool is it going to be to be able to experience this with your dad?

WOODS: It’s going to be super cool because I love my dad to death. He is my guy. I feel like we have a good enough relationship where we won’t let our work life and family life get in-between us. We have a common understand about focus on football. I plan on calling him coach when we are in the football facility and dad when we are at home.

Q: In an interesting way, you will be spending more time with him now than you have probably ever because you will both be working in the same building.

WOODS: Yeah we will. I know he has to be gone sometimes for recruiting because that is part of the job, but we will be around each other more than ever before. I think it will go well and he does too.

Q: When is your report day for Iowa football?

WOODS: June 8^th.

Q: Who are you rooming with this summer?

WOODS: Iose Epenesa.

Q: I sort of figured that given that your father’s were teammates at Iowa and you guys have spent time together growing up.

WOODS: It is super cool. I have known him for forever. We are not best friends because we live in different places, but we both have a legacy with the program. I think it’s a full circle moment for our dads who were teammates and were really close. I remember seeing Iose when A.J. was playing and I was always excited to sit with him and it gave me someone to talk to who was my age. Now we are going to be roommates and teammates on the Iowa football team, which is really cool.

Q: What number are you going to wear?

WOODS: I don’t know. I have zero clue. Not sure what numbers are eligible for a tight end. I am a single number guy, but I will have to adjust to that.

Q: What is your weight at right now and where do you want to be at the end of the summer?

WOODS: Currently I am 218. I am not where I want to be due to a full track season and running a lot. I think I want to be around 225 or 230 by the end of the summer. I feel really good and haven’t been injured since the end of football.

Q: Are there aspirations to play this year?

WOODS: Everyone wants to play. I guess we will see who wants it.

Q: Are you excited to play for Coach Hodge?

WOODS: Yeah for sure.  I am really close friends with his son, A.J. and I am around his family all the time. I am really happy that I will be coached by someone I appreciate and trust.

Q: Have you thought about the moment when you are coming out of the tunnel for that Albany game and be a part of the Swarm, officially, for the first time?

WOODS: I have been having dreams about it. Every kid thinks about it. But, to be in the position to even do that is crazy to me. I am really excited for that moment and the moment I get to run out on the field is going to be really special and I am ready for it.