Charles Woods Bio
Charles Woods (born June 17, 2000) is an American professional football cornerback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Illinois State Redbirds, West Virginia Mountaineers, and SMU Mustangs before reaching the professional level as an undrafted free agent. A defensive back known for his coverage instincts and ball skills, Woods has built his career through multiple college stops and a determined path into the NFL.
Early Life and Background
Charles Woods was born on June 17, 2000, in Dallas, Texas, United States. He grew up in the same city where he would later begin his football journey, attending Justin F. Kimball High School in Dallas. At Kimball, Woods was a multi-sport athlete, participating in football, basketball, and track and field, an experience that helped shape his speed, coordination, and overall athletic foundation.
On the football field at Kimball, Woods developed into a reliable playmaker. He was a second-team all-district selection as a junior and earned first-team all-district recognition as a senior. During his senior season, he recorded 35 receptions for 678 yards, 27 carries for 148 yards, and scored a total of 16 touchdowns. Despite those numbers, he entered the college recruitment process as a no-star recruit, reflecting how much of his development still lay ahead.
Path to American Football
Woods committed to play college football for the Illinois State Redbirds, beginning his path through the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) ranks. After three seasons with the Redbirds, he announced his decision to leave the program following the 2020 season, setting the stage for a series of transitions that would expand his resume and test his adaptability at higher levels of competition.
He initially committed to transfer to the SMU Mustangs but later flipped his pledge to the West Virginia Mountaineers. After spending two seasons with the Mountaineers, Woods entered the transfer portal once more, choosing SMU for his final year of eligibility. That decision to return to his original transfer destination ultimately gave him the platform to showcase his skills against top-tier competition and earn postseason recognition.
Charles Woods Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Charles Woods began his college career as a defensive back with the Illinois State Redbirds in 2018. Appearing in 11 games with three starts as a freshman, he totaled 16 tackles while adjusting to the speed and demands of college football. His role steadily expanded over the next two seasons.
In 2019, Woods started all 15 games and was named honorable mention FCS Sophomore All-American by HERO Sports. He finished that season with 48 tackles, four interceptions, and 17 passes defended, a total that ranked second in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC). During the COVID-19-shortened 2020 campaign, he started all four games and recorded 20 tackles along with two interceptions before announcing his departure from the program.
West Virginia Mountaineers (2021–2022)
Woods joined the West Virginia Mountaineers in 2021 and immediately contributed in the secondary. That season, he totaled 31 tackles, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries, demonstrating the ball-hawking tendencies that had defined his earlier work at Illinois State. His ability to force turnovers helped him carve out a steady role within the Mountaineers defense.
He opted to redshirt in 2022 and appeared in only four games, three as a starter, recording seven solo tackles. Following the season, Woods once again entered the transfer portal, eventually choosing to commit to the SMU Mustangs, the same program he had originally planned to join after leaving Illinois State.
SMU Mustangs (2023)
In his lone season with the SMU Mustangs in 2023, Woods started all 14 games and posted 27 tackles along with a team-leading 11 pass breakups. His coverage production and consistency earned him third-team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) honors, providing a strong closing chapter to his college career and reinforcing his profile as a reliable perimeter defender.
Charles Woods Career Highlights
Across his college career at Illinois State, West Virginia, and SMU, Charles Woods developed from a lightly recruited high school prospect into an All-Conference defensive back. His progression included FCS All-American recognition, multiple seasons as a full-time starter, and a final collegiate year that produced a team-leading pass-breakup total and postseason honors.
Los Angeles Rams (2024–2025)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Charles Woods signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent. He made the team’s initial 53-man roster for the 2024 season, a notable achievement for a player who entered the league without a draft selection. On December 2, 2024, he was waived and subsequently re-signed to the practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract on January 20, 2025.
On August 26, 2025, Woods was waived by the Rams as part of final roster cuts, ending his tenure with the organization.
New England Patriots (2025–Present)
On August 27, 2025, Charles Woods was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots, giving him an immediate opportunity to continue his NFL journey. The move provided him with a fresh roster opening and the chance to compete for a role in the Patriots’ secondary.
Notable Achievements
Woods earned honorable mention FCS Sophomore All-American recognition from HERO Sports in 2019 and was named third-team All-American Athletic Conference in 2023 after leading SMU in pass breakups.
Charles Woods Family
Personal Life
Charles Woods is an American football player whose personal life has largely remained outside the public spotlight. Publicly available information about his family, marital status, and residence is limited, and he is primarily known for his work on the football field.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transition for Charles Woods. He began the year on a reserve/future contract with the Los Angeles Rams after finishing the 2024 season on the team’s practice squad, providing him offseason momentum as he worked toward a roster spot.
His time with the Rams ended on August 26, 2025, when he was waived as part of final roster cuts. The very next day, on August 27, 2025, Woods was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots, giving him a quick landing spot and a new opportunity to compete for a defensive role.
As Woods settles into the Patriots organization, his focus shifts to carving out a consistent role within the secondary and building on the coverage skills he refined across three college programs. His path from no-star recruit to active NFL cornerback underscores the persistence that continues to define his young professional career.