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CB Eli Apple (All B1G, National Champion, Miami Dolphins)

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Varsity football: Eastern star Woodard graduates early, headed to Ohio State
Dec 19, 2012
Written by
Kevin Minnick | Courier-Post Staff

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Eli Woodard has graduated from Eastern High School and will start taking classes at Ohio State next semester. / Chris LaChall/Courier-Post

The senior trip is no longer on his agenda.

Putting on a tuxedo for the senior prom and wearing a cap and gown on graduation day in June? Well, that?s still up for discussion.

But for Eli Woodard, life as an Eastern High School student-athlete has officially come to an end.

?I graduated this morning,? Woodard said Tuesday afternoon. ?I guess you can say I?m an alum.?

Woodard, an All-South Jersey defensive back, will begin taking classes at Ohio State on Jan. 7 ? just a few days after playing in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio. He received a full scholarship to play Big Ten Conference football for the Buckeyes and coach Urban Meyer.

Robert Thompson, a wide receiver/defensive back from St. Joseph who was injured a good part of this past season, also will graduate early. The Gloucester Township resident is headed to Old Dominion.

Woodard said several players at Ohio State did the same thing at this time last year and it paid big dividends. After getting all the necessary information, he took summer classes to accelerate the process. He only needed to take two gym classes prior to the holiday break to clear the final hurdle.

?I wanted to get a head start on things,? said Woodard, who was also Eastern?s top receiver this past season with 43 catches for 841 yards. ?I?ll be able to play in the spring game; get a head start on college life and football. I?m excited. Physically, I have to put some weight on. But I?m ready mentally.

?It feels so weird right now. I?m going to work out as much as possible for the Army game. I?ll continue to train and enjoy the next two weeks with my friends and family. I?m blessed to be in a position to do something like this. It?s special.?

Woodard was considered the No. 1 college prospect in the state coming into the fall season by Rivals.com and its fourth-rated cornerback nationally.

As far as walking with his classmates in June?

?That?s something I have to talk more about with Coach Meyer,? Woodard said. ?I?ll most likely be able to come back and walk, and I?ll try my best to get the opportunity to go to the prom.

?It?s bittersweet right now. I have some exciting things in the future, but I?m going to be leaving my family and friends, too.?
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http://www.courierpostonline.com/ar...-Woodard-graduates-early-headed-to-Ohio-State
 
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The fact that we have the 4th ranked CB in the nation enrolling early, and under the impression that he needs to ask (and hope) that Coach Meyer lets him go to the Prom tells me that we have a great player on his hand who doesn't feel entitled because of his skills.
 
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This is one of those kids that I picture us talking about in 3-4 years and saying that he not only was great on the field but was also a great ambassador of the university off the field...
 
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wadc45;2279814; said:
This is one of those kids that I picture us talking about in 3-4 years and saying that he not only was great on the field but was also a great ambassador of the university off the field...
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I really don't want to, for Eli's sake, but it's almost impossible not to compare him to Malcom Jenkins.
 
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pnuts34;2279897; said:
Why just because they're both from new jersey? I would rather him compared to Shawn springs when he leaves
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That, yes. But also because theyre both tall cornerbacks who were/are coming into a defensive backfield missing a starter with the opportunity to play early. Above all though the the bit mentioned above about how Eli is a well raised young man who's going to make us proud on and off the field - which Malcom has shown in spades with all of the charity work hes involved with.
 
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Merih;2279920; said:
That, yes. But also because theyre both tall cornerbacks who were/are coming into a defensive backfield missing a starter with the opportunity to play early. Above all though the the bit mentioned above about how Eli is a well raised young man who's going to make us proud on and off the field - which Malcom has shown in spades with all of the charity work hes involved with.
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Gotcha. Eli, like Malcolm, is a high character guy that fans can't help but root for. Our secondary should look good for a while. I thoroughly enjoy watching elis highlight film
 
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Rivals - Buckeye targets to be on display in Baltimore

12/25

Regardless of which state you follow, the high school football season has just recently ended in the last few weeks. Already there are some big Winter showcases coming up that will display some top underclassmen talent. One of the first of these showcases is the Next Level Nation Underclassmen Showcase being held on Wednesday, December 26th in Baltimore, Maryland. The event will feature some of the top young prospects on the east coast, several of which are either already being recruited by Ohio State or will be at some point down the road.

Apple will get some work in before heading to San Antonio.
The headliner of the event won't be an underclassman, however, as Ohio State commit Eli Apple will be on hand to get some work in before heading to San Antonio, Texas for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound corner is the No. 28 ranked player in the nation by Rivals.com.
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