# THE ST. CROIX SUN SPORTS DESK
Like Father, Like Son: Legacy Commit Charles Woodson Jr. Chooses Michigan
By JOHN McCARTHY / St. Croix Sun Sports Reporter
ANN ARBOR, Michigan — The echoes of 1997 just got a lot louder for Michigan football.
Charles Woodson Jr., a standout defensive back from Lake Nona High School in Orlando, Florida, officially committed to the University of Michigan on Friday, choosing to carry on one of the most celebrated names in college football history.
Woodson Jr., a rising senior and key piece of the 2027 recruiting class, announced his decision over an elite list of offers that included Florida State, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Kentucky. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound safety chose to follow the exact path blazed by his father, Pro Football Hall of Famer and 1997 Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson.
The commitment gives first-year Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham a major legacy anchor for his future secondary. Far from just a famous last name, Woodson Jr. earned his way to the Power 4 radar on sheer production. During his 2025 junior campaign in Florida's talent-heavy high school ranks, he racked up 73 tackles, eight pass breakups, two interceptions, and flashed his father’s signature versatility by returning a kickoff for a touchdown.
For Wolverines fans, the name "Woodson" evokes pure magic. The elder Charles Woodson put together arguably the greatest individual season in modern college football history in 1997, leading Michigan to an undefeated national championship and becoming the first primarily defensive player to capture the Heisman Trophy. He went on to put together an illustrious, 18-year NFL career that included a Super Bowl title with the Green Bay Packers and three first-team All-Pro selections.
Now, nearly three decades after his father revolutionized the cornerback position in Ann Arbor, a new generation is preparing to touch the banner and run out of the tunnel at the Big House.
