By Nick Wagoner

Senior Writer

MOBILE , Ala. – Late last week, Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm and Boston College signal caller Matt Ryan decided that a trip to the Senior Bowl wasn’t necessary for them.

Widely regarded as the top two quarterbacks in this year’s NFL Draft, Brohm and Ryan figure to land large paychecks as first round draft picks. But Brohm and Ryan haven’t been the only quarterbacks drawing attention.

Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson has long been mentioned as the third leg of the potential first round signal calling tripod. And though Woodson’s footing in the first round is shakier than the aforementioned duo, he didn’t necessarily have to be here this week, either.

For Woodson, not playing was not an option.

“I felt like this was another opportunity just to get better,” Woodson said. “My decision was made when I was first invited. I really wanted to come to this and I am still glad I am here. It’s another chance to get coached by NFL coaching, get you prepared for the next level and get you a step above everybody else.”

With a strong showing this week, it’s not out of the question that Woodson could take a step above the rest of the quarterbacks in this year’s draft, even Brohm and Ryan. The path to the Senior Bowl for Woodson had been strewn well before his arrival in Mobile .

Take the previous example. A quarterback from a lower profile Southeastern Conference school has a big senior season and elevates the play of his team. Said quarterback finishes with some buzz, but not enough to be highly touted. He then attends the Senior Bowl, where he flashes the physical potential and ability to be a highly sought player in the NFL Draft.

Sound familiar? You don’t have to go back too far to make the connection. Vanderbilt’s Jay Cutler was a strong-armed, little-known prospect entering his senior season. By the time the draft rolled around, he was the 11^th pick overall and is now the starter for the Denver Broncos.

That isn’t to say that Woodson has the same skill set of Cutler or that he’s even as good, but at least he knows the potential is there.

“I think there are a lot of quarterbacks that have done that,” Woodson said. “He’s a great example of that and I am just trying to come out and compete and be a better player when it’s all said and done.”

Woodson really made his name in the past two seasons, leading the Wildcats from SEC afterthought to a legitimate bowl contender. He led Kentucky to a bowl win this season and a victory against eventual national champion LSU.

In the past two seasons, Woodson threw 71 touchdowns to just 18 interceptions. At 6’4, 234 pounds, he possesses the ideal size and has more than enough arm strength to be a NFL quarterback.

Scouts, Inc. calls Woodson the ideal combination of production, progress and potential. While his throwing motions leaves plenty to be desired, he does have a big time arm when he cuts it loose.

So far this week, he has struggled some but he chalks that up to learning how things are done in the NFL.

“I think the biggest thing is you try to come out here and in college you don’t anticipate a lot of passes,” Woodson said. “You actually wait for them to develop and here you throw it 3 or 4 yards before they break and I think a lot of people in the NFL want to see if you are capable of doing that. The first day might be slow because you are trying to get on the same page as guys you have never played with before but on the second day it’s like you are finding your way and starting to get a feel for it.”

Woodson is working with former Rams coach Mike Martz, the new offensive coordinator in San Francisco this week. Martz is famous for his constant yapping and working with quarterbacks and has been no different with Woodson.

Nobody is trying to change Woodson’s awkward throwing motion, but Martz is doing plenty to try to prepare him for life at the next level.

“I think all coaches are pretty similar,” Woodson said. “The terminology is pretty different. I have never been used to the route tree and that’s something they are throwing at us right now is the West Coast system. You have to get used to it and adapt to it and just study real hard. This is my first time in it. Obviously that’s something that is a challenge and you have to step up to the plate and take care of that.

“I do the best job I can of listening to the coaches and responding to how he is coaching me and just get my feet worked out and my timing down.”

No matter what happens in the next few months, Woodson will almost certainly go in the top two rounds of this year’s draft.

And Woodson doesn’t care much what most people think of him so long as he has the support of the person he credits for his success.

“My mother has been the biggest part of all of my decisions,” Woodson said. “With her support, that’s who I really depend on for everything.”

Soon, a NFL franchise will depend on Woodson in much the same way.