The UNLV Rebels started the 2024 season 4-0, which hasn’t happened since 1976. Then, they picked up their sixth win of the year against Oregon State in Week 8, meaning the team is bowl-eligible for the second straight year for the first time in school history.
Linebacker Jackson Woodard is responsible for much of the success as the defensive leader, but he’s proven to be far more than just a star defender.
Jackson Woodard Is More Than the Heart of UNLV’s Defense
After spending three seasons as primarily a special teamer with the Arkansas Razorbacks, Woodard followed his defensive coordinator and LBs coach, Barry Odom and Michael Scherer, respectively, to Las Vegas. He hit the ground running, becoming a captain, starting all 14 games, finishing second in the conference with 117 total tackles, and earning first-team All-Mountain West recognition.
Woodard’s played even better this season, leading the team in tackles (63), tackles for loss (8.5), and pass breakups (eight) while tying for the lead in interceptions (four) and ranking second with three sacks.
Unsurprisingly, the accolades have followed, as the star LB has tied school records with three Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week honors.
However, what Woodard has done off the field has arguably been even more impressive.
Last season, he became UNLV’s first-ever CSC first-team Academic All-American and graduated in May after maintaining a 3.77 GPA in kinesiology. Then, entering the 2024 campaign, the Rebels nominated him for both the AFCA Good Works Team and the Danny Wuerffel Trophy, recognizing his outstanding community service efforts.
The Woodard award trail didn’t end there. Just this week, he was named one of the 20 semifinalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, which recognizes leadership, courage, and sportsmanship on and off the field.
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He’ll compete for three finalist positions, which will be announced on Dec. 16. The winner will be revealed at a ceremony on Feb. 12, 2025.
Additionally, he is among 16 finalists for the Campbell Trophy (aka the Academic Heisman), college football’s premier scholar-athlete award that annually recognizes a player for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership.
Woodard is not only UNLV’s first Campbell finalist in program history, but he also garnered the General Robert R. Neyland Scholar-Athlete Award, endowed by the Haslam Family Foundation.
As a member of the 2024 National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete Class, he’ll receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship.
“We are honored to have Jackson Woodard receive this prestigious award, and I am thankful for all of his tireless work and dedication to our team and the game of college football,” Odom said.
“Being a Campbell Trophy finalist and National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete is one of the most honorable awards in college football, and we are thankful to have Jackson represent UNLV on this platform. We know he will represent the NFF in a great way!”
With his excellence on and off the field, Woodard has become the heart and soul of the Rebels, embodying what it means to be a leader, scholar, and athlete. Yet, his journey is far from over. Next up: knocking off the No. 17 Boise State Broncos, headed by Heisman favorite RB Ashton Jeanty.
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