By Amanda Scurlock for The LA Sentinel
Originally published Sept. 23, 2026
UCLA running back Anthony Woods started the season strong, earning 118 yards and two touchdowns against the California Golden Bears on Sept. 5. As of Tuesday, Woods has started in two games this season and has a total of 228 rushing yards.
The run is generational wealth for Woods.
“My dad played running back; my brother played running back,” he said. “When the ball is in my hand, I try to make something happen.”
Woods spent the first two seasons of his college career at Idaho. During the 2023-2024 season, Woods had 206 rushes for 1,155 yards and 16 touchdowns. He led the Big Sky Conference in all three categories. Woods also did work as a receiver, making 15 catches for 92 yards and one touchdown.
In his second season with the Bruins, Woods is applying lessons he learned from running backs coach A.J. Steward to improve his skills. He also noticed improvements in his contact balance.
A highlight for Woods is when the Bruins defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions 42-37 last season. Woods made 14 rushes for 63 yards in the matchup.
“That was a memorable moment because we were 0-4 for the past couple of games,” he said. “Nobody believed in us and then we went to go beat the No. 7 team.”
Woods is majoring in sociology. He knows that having a strong academic standing must be a priority to be a successful student athlete.
“They help me by keeping me accountable,” Woods said. “The way I do one thing is the way I do everything.”
In 2023, Woods earned a spot in the All-Big Sky First Team and the FCS Football Central All American Third Team. Woods is a Palmdale native who attended Palmdale High School. As a senior, Woods ran for 1580 yards and scored 24 touchdowns.
Outside of academics and athletics, Woods enjoys playing video games. Games he plays include Call of Duty and Madden 2K. For Woods, playing video games is more than a source of entertainment.
“It helps me stay connected with my family because we get to talk in a party,” he said. “We get to communicate and party and play the game with each other.”