Football | 7/15/2026 8:45:00 AM

Name: Gavin Woods
 
Nickname: G Woods
 
Year: Senior
 
Position:  Outside Linebacker
 
Height: 6'2
 
Weight: 235
 
Hometown:  San Antonio, Texas
 
High School:  Smithson Valley
 
Major: Operations Research
 
What other schools offered you and what was it about Navy that made you come here? I had offers from Army and Sam Houston State, along with some preferred walk-on opportunities, but Navy felt like home from the moment I stepped foot on campus. I knew it was where I should be and where I wanted to be.
 
What would you tell somebody that is considering coming to Navy to play football?  It's a lifestyle. It's an all the time thing, not just a sometimes thing. The way you live every day will dictate how far you can go and how much people can trust you.
 
If you could play another position, what position would you play and why?  Tight End. I'm about that life.
 
If you could choose any opponent for Navy to play that is currently not on the schedule, who would you choose and why?  SMU. Always wanted to play against my brother, Hudson Woods.
 
Favorite class at the Naval Academy and why?   Calculus 3. Had my favorite teacher of all time. Shout out Professor Messenger!
 
Favorite teacher at the Naval Academy?  Professor Messenger or Capt. O'Lavin
 
Favorite form of social media and why? Instagram. I love seeing people's lives and their highlights, as well as posting my own.
 
Favorite person to follow on social media and why?   Coach Kiritsy. He whips up some crazy meals and posts them on his story.
 
If you could have dinner with any 4 people that are currently at the Naval Academy who would you choose and why?  Griffen Willis, Matt Reyes, Alex McCalop and Justice Rider
 
Favorite sport to follow at the Naval Academy outside of football and why?  Men's Basketball or Sprint Football. Both get after it.
 
What song is playing on your headphones in the locker room right before taking the field?   Kickstart My Heart, Motley Crue

What is your dream vacation?   Ski trip to Colorado and then on to Bora Bora. Best of both worlds.
 
Favorite Coach Newberry Quote: "You are what you repeatedly do"
 
Who will be the surprise player on offense in 2026?  Vic Listorti
 
Who will be the surprise player on defense in 2026?  Christian Johnson
 
Who is the toughest player on the Navy football team?   Coleman Cauley
 
What player epitomizes Navy Football?  Griffen Willis
 
Who will be the Most Valuable Player on offense in 2026?  Braxton Woodson
 
Who will be the Most Valuable Player on defense in 2026?  Coleman Cauley
 
What are you most looking forward to in 2026? Service Selection!
 
If there was a movie about your life what would it be called and who would play you?   Driven, but not sure who would play me
 
If you could play another sport at the Naval Academy, what would it be? Sprint Football if I could drop 60 pounds
 
Who is your favorite Navy athlete to watch outside of football?  Shout out Jinwoo Kim of the Men's Basketball team.
 
What does it mean to wear "Navy" across your chest? It's a privilege that we get to carry. A name that means more than just football. Those are just words though. Turn on the TV and watch how the guys play.
 
What leadership lesson has football taught you? It's not about you, it's about your people. I've found in the last year that what we do and the work we put in isn't just for ourselves, but for the guys to the right and left of us.
 
Which upperclassman impacted you the most when you arrived?  Shout out Jordan Sanders, my guy!
 
What's one quality every successful midshipman needs?  Selflessness
 
Which teammate would make the best Commandant?  Alex McCalop
 
Which teammate would make the best Superintendent? Alex McCalop
 
Who talks the most trash in practice? Charles Robinson
 
Which player would make the best coach someday?  Griffen Willis
 
Who has the best game-day energy? It was Jaxson Cambell, this year we shall see
 
Favorite road stadium you've played in? Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia
 
Favorite uniform combination? All white or all navy blue
 
Which current NFL player do you model your game after? Role model for me, Myles Garrett
 
What's one thing fans should watch for from your position group this year?  Watch the way the guys fly around.
 
What's your favorite part of game day?  Celebrating the win.
 
Who's the funniest teammate?  Terrance McCauley
 
Name two players that you think are future team captains?  Christian Johnson and Malcolm Johnson