ESPN RISE

His first play on Governor Thomas Johnson High School's varsity football team was not what he planned, but for Marquis Woodyard, that failed play may have put him on a path that will propel him to college.

After years of playing running back and receiver in youth and junior varsity football, Woodyard got the call up to the Patriots varsity team when starting running back and safety Corey Hunt went down with an injury. Through three JV games during his sophomore year, Woodyard had eight touchdowns, and thought he was ready for primetime.

"I kept thinking I was ready to play varsity. ... I remember the first game I played [on varsity] - against Linganore. I played offense, I didn't play defense. I remember our quarterback threw me the ball and it bounced right off my helmet," Woodyard said. "Coach [Ben] Wright took me out after that."

After that game, Wright, Thomas Johnson's head football coach, switched Woodyard to defense.

"I remember the practice. One of our corners kept getting burned in our varsity practice and I remember one of the players ran down to get me. They threw me in at corner, and my eyes got really big," Woodyard said. "The first play I got in I made a tackle on one of the guys. I ended up earning the starting safety spot, so it ended up working out."

Woodyard remained the starting safety for his sophomore season, and as a junior. The Frederick News-Post named Woodyard Second Team All-Area as a defensive back.

"The biggest thing was the he understood formations. He could make coverage calls as a free safety as well as strong safety. That just comes from experience and getting comfortable with what you're doing," Wright said of Woodyard's improvement from his sophomore to junior season. "He's become more and more aggressive, which is good. He's a pretty good hitter on defense, and he runs well."

To say that he runs well may be an understatement.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound junior won two state championships at the Maryland outdoor track & field championships on May 23.

Woodyard won the 110-meter hurdles in 14.19-- the win was his first career state championship. Later in the day, he won his second title with a victory in the 300-meter hurdles. Woodyard was also a member of the 4x400-meter relay team that finished third. Woodyard's contribution helped the Patriots to the Class 4A state championship.

Woodyard has received college interest in both football and track.

Shepherd, Central Michigan, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, James Madison, William & Mary and Temple have all expressed interest in Woodyard's football skills. Iowa State and Michigan have expressed interest in him on the track.

So which will it be for Woodyard?

"Football is first. My heart's definitely with football," Woodyard said. "Once I get acclimated with the program and college football, then I will try to decide if I still want to run track, and if they'd let me do that."

For his senior season, Woodyard is expected to move to cornerback, and could also see some time on offense at receiver.

"I definitely would [like to make up for that dropped pass as a sophomore], but I think I made up for that with my play on defense," Woodyard said. "It all works out. I can't complain."

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Mike Loveday covers high school sports for ESPNRISE.com. Mike can be reached at Michael.Loveday@espn.com