A star at Richmond Academy, Woodlee caused a stir in recruiting circles when Georgia coach Wally Butts accused USC’s Rex Enright of recruiting improprieties after Woodlee chose the Gamecocks. He played in the GACA North-South All-Star Game after his senior year in 1948. An ankle injury kept him on the sidelines in 1949, but he he was one of the Gamecocks’ regular punters in 1950 while also being one of the leading track and field performers in the conference. A regular at safety in 1950, Woodlee saved a tie for USC against Marquette when he ran down Hilltopper running back Norman Rohter at the USC 8 after a 44-yard run. The Carolina defense was able to then hold Marquette without scoring. He missed the 1951 and 1952 seasons serving in the Coast Guard. Woodlee’s high point in football may have been a nine-yard touchdown run that put the finishing touches on Carolina’s 34-20 upset of Army in 1954, but that year also saw him set ACC records in track in the 100 yard dash (9.9 seconds) and the 220 yard dash (21.5 seconds). Woodlee received votes for the Anthony J. McKevlin ACC Athelete of the Year Award for the 1954-55 year. Woodlee was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 30th round of the 1955 NFL draft. |