Connor Wood Leaves The Longhorns
As expected, the quarterback position took a hit on Wednesday evening, when redshirt freshman Connor Wood announced he would be leaving the Texas program. Wood has elected to transfer to the University of Colorado, where he’ll have to sit out this season before being eligible to play again.
Sources have told Inside Texas since June that a transfer by Wood was a strong possibility and, after the depth chart was released on Monday, that possibility grew to an almost certainty. Team sources have also indicated that Wood has been unhappy with his situation in Austin since the spring. Once he was listed as the third, or possible fourth, string quarterback on the roster, the writing was on the wall."I want to thank Coach (Mack) Brown, Coach (Bryan) Harsin, all of the coaches, and my teammates for the opportunity to play at a great school like The University of Texas," Wood said. "I loved playing for UT and gave it my all, but I felt I needed to seek a new opportunity. I will always cherish the memories and friends I developed as a Longhorn, but I'm excited about the next chapter in my life and looking forward to playing at the University of Colorado."After coming off an excellent senior season in high school where he passed for nearly 2,700 yards and 19 touchdowns, Wood joined the Texas program in January 2010, where he enrolled early along with quarterback Case McCoy. After losing the second string battle last season, the coaches redshirted him to create some separation between him and Gilbert. "We appreciate everything Connor has brought to our program," Texas head coach Mack Brown said. "He is tremendous young man and is a great teammate and student. We hate to see him leave, but at the same time we understand his desire to play. We hope for nothing but the best for him and look forward to following his career at Colorado." The Longhorns now have only three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster: junior Garrett Gilbert, sophomore Case McCoy and freshman David Ash. Those three will be joined by 2012 Texas quarterback commitment Connor Brewer of Scottsdale, Ariz. next season.
Sources have told Inside Texas since June that a transfer by Wood was a strong possibility and, after the depth chart was released on Monday, that possibility grew to an almost certainty. Team sources have also indicated that Wood has been unhappy with his situation in Austin since the spring. Once he was listed as the third, or possible fourth, string quarterback on the roster, the writing was on the wall."I want to thank Coach (Mack) Brown, Coach (Bryan) Harsin, all of the coaches, and my teammates for the opportunity to play at a great school like The University of Texas," Wood said. "I loved playing for UT and gave it my all, but I felt I needed to seek a new opportunity. I will always cherish the memories and friends I developed as a Longhorn, but I'm excited about the next chapter in my life and looking forward to playing at the University of Colorado."After coming off an excellent senior season in high school where he passed for nearly 2,700 yards and 19 touchdowns, Wood joined the Texas program in January 2010, where he enrolled early along with quarterback Case McCoy. After losing the second string battle last season, the coaches redshirted him to create some separation between him and Gilbert. "We appreciate everything Connor has brought to our program," Texas head coach Mack Brown said. "He is tremendous young man and is a great teammate and student. We hate to see him leave, but at the same time we understand his desire to play. We hope for nothing but the best for him and look forward to following his career at Colorado." The Longhorns now have only three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster: junior Garrett Gilbert, sophomore Case McCoy and freshman David Ash. Those three will be joined by 2012 Texas quarterback commitment Connor Brewer of Scottsdale, Ariz. next season.
