Robert Woods (wide receiver)

Robert Thomas Woods (born April 10, 1992) is an American football wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played college football at USC, where he was recognized as a consensus All-American.

Woods was born in Carson, California. He attended Junípero Serra High School in Gardena, graduating in 2010, where he was a teammate of George Farmer and Marqise Lee. Scout.com rated him as the No. 11 prospect overall and No. 1 wide receiver prospect. Rivals.com lists him as the nation's No. 6 overall recruit, and the No. 1 ranked athlete.

In his junior year, in 2008, Woods had 81 receptions for 1,378 yards and 19 touchdowns to go along with 15 carries for 124 rushing yards on offense. He also had 87 tackles, 7 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery on defense.

In his senior year, Woods caught 66 passes for 1,112 yards, had 5 carries for 70 yards, and had 96 total tackles along with 8 interceptions and a forced fumble on defense for the Serra Cavaliers. In his senior year, his team won the CIF Northwestern Division Championship defeating west coast power house Oaks Christian, ending their winning streak at 34. His team would then play and beat Marin Catholic 24–20 to win the CIF Division 3 state championship and complete the season undefeated 15–0. They ranked fifth in the West according to USA Today. Following his senior season, Woods was recognized as a USA Today high school All-American and played in the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Track and field

Also an accomplished sprinter, Woods was a 2010 All-USA high school track and field selection by USA Today. He recorded personal bests of 21.04 seconds in the 200 metres, and 46.17 seconds in the 400 metres. Woods' 400 meters time of 46.17 ranked him #11 on the 2010 World Junior list, #4 in the USA. At the 2010 CIF California State Meet, Woods finished runner-up in the 400 metres to Joshua Mance in a photo finish. He placed third in the 200 metres, behind Remontay McClain and Davonte Stewart. He had career-bests of 21.04 seconds in the 200 metres and 46.17 seconds in the 400 metres.

As early as April 2012, Woods was projected a top-5 prospect for the 2013 NFL Draft. By mid-season, Woods slipped to the lower first round, due to his declining role in the presence of Marqise Lee. He was selected in the second round, 41st overall, by the Buffalo Bills in the 2013 NFL Draft.

On May 20, 2013, he signed a four-year contract with the Buffalo Bills. In Week 1, his NFL debut, Woods caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from EJ Manuel in a 23-21 loss to the Patriots. The touchdown was his first NFL catch. Woods had a breakout performance in a Week 4 win against the Baltimore Ravens. Woods caught four passes for 80 yards and a 42-yard touchdown reception. He recorded career highs in receptions and yards in Week 15 in Jacksonville, where he had 5 receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown. During a game against the Miami Dolphins on December 22, 2013, Woods was ejected for throwing a punch against Reshad Jones in a junk pile. Woods played 14 games during his rookie season of 2013 with 587 receiving yards on 40 total receptions, with 3 receiving touchdowns.

In Week 12 of 2014, the Bills hosted the New York Jets at Ford Field in Detroit after a snowstorm in Buffalo. Woods proceeded to have the best game of his career, totaling 9 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown.

Due to a groin injury, Woods was placed on the team's injured reserve on December 22, 2015.

Woods lost his sister, Olivia Woods, to cancer on April 19, 2007. Her death and final words to him motivated Robert to pursue his goals of making it into the NFL and finishing his college degree, honoring her in his commencement speech.