By Blake Colston
Sports Editor
Piedmont’s Cannon Wood had a busy weekend.
Wood on Friday night helped Piedmont to a 28-13 win at Blanchard, rushing for 150 yards and two touchdowns while also anchoring the middle of the ‘Cats defense at linebacker.
Then on Saturday, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound junior took an unofficial visit to the University of Oklahoma, for the Sooners game vs. Kent State. Wood was invited by the Sooners’ coaching staff and got to tour OU’s football facilities while getting to know the coaches and support staff, including defensive coordinator Ted Roof.
“The visit went great. It was everything I could’ve imagined it to be,” said Wood, who grew up an OU fan. “All the things I’ve been working for my whole life, I got a flash of what it could be like to achieve them. It gives you even more motivation to keep working.”
The two-way star has been in contact with OU since the spring, when Roof visited Piedmont. This summer, Wood went to camp at OU and continued to impress the Sooners coaching staff.
While Wood is still waiting for his first scholarship offer, he’s likely to have multiple options to play at the next level. He said a good education, location and like-minded teammates will be important when deciding where to play in college.
“I want to be around some dudes that have the same goals as myself,” Wood said. “And I’m from Oklahoma, so I’m trying to stay around the area.”
Wood has also been in contact with Oklahoma State in recent weeks and has a potential visit to Harvard in the works later this fall. Most teams are recruiting Wood as an ‘athlete’ that could develop into a linebacker or running back, he said.
“I like them both equally. I just like playing football,” Wood said on if he has a preference between playing offense or defense in college. “I’ll be happy with wherever I go and wherever I end up playing.”
This summer, Wood was timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.56 seconds. By his senior season, he hopes to weigh 225 pounds while maintaining his speed.
“I want to be a lean 225 so I can stay fast,” he said.
Wood ended the hectic three days Sunday with a few hours at Piedmont’s football facility, reviewing last week’s game and preparing for the Wildcats next opponent. Piedmont looks to be hitting its stride as it closes out its non-district schedule on Friday at 0-2 Duncan.
“I know they are a team we can’t take lightly. We have to go play our best football,” Wood said.
