Former USC nose tackle Antwaun Woods excited for an NFL career

Former USC nose tackle Antwaun Woods is looking ahead to an NFL career. On Friday at the NFL scouting combine, Woods also looked back, describing the day he received a scholarship offer from former Trojans Coach Pete Carroll as “the best day of my life.”

The offer came early during Woods’ time at Woodland Hills Taft High. Carroll left to become the Seattle Seahawks coach a year before Woods arrived at USC. Five years later, Woods is at the NFL combine readying for the next phase of his career.

“I would describe myself as a tough nose tackle that likes doing the dirty work,” he told reporters, then added, “Loves doing the dirty work.”

Woods is the only USC defensive lineman at the combine.

Tackle Delvon Simmons, who made several big plays for the Trojans, will get his chance to impress scouts at USC’s Pro Day on March 23.

“If there’s one guy that deserves to be here, it would be him,” Woods said.

Woods said Simmons was using the perceived slight as motivation.

“He feels like he deserves to be here,” Woods said. “So I know that’s going to continue to motivate him and continue to make him work hard toward Pro Day.”