UAlbany’s Griffin Woodell has earned every carry.

“Anything can change at any moment,” Woodell said. “I still got to work, work my tail off to keep the number one spot.”

In one year, the redshirt sophomore running back went from walk-on and scout team player to FCS Central Freshman All-American and Coastal Athletic Association Rookie of the Year.

“My first year was just a lot of learning, learning, learning,” he said. “And then I learned. So I think I worked really hard last year to put all the pieces together. And now I'm still doing that.”

Woodell rushed for nearly 900 yards and eight touchdowns, and caught another four touchdown passes in his breakout season last year. It earned the Glens Falls native a scholarship while helping the Great Danes reach the NCAA FCS national semifinals.

“Everybody underestimates him. Pretty soon, they're not going to do that,” said Greg Gattuso, UAlbany’s head coach. “He's great. I mean, people don't even realize he played with the two shoulder injuries last year and played the whole year.”

After spending most of the offseason recovering from shoulder surgery, Woodell is back on the field with the Great Danes to gear up for a new season.

“Just a lot of like recovery stuff and strengthening the shoulders back up,” Woodell said. “But you know, right now, I'm healthy. Better than I was.”

A historic 2023 run has created high expectations, with UAlbany picked third in the CAA preseason coaches’ poll. And Woodell is one of three Great Danes named to the preseason all-conference team.

“It doesn't mean a thing,” Woodell said. “And now I got to come out there and earn it, actually earn it for this season.”

The Great Danes will open the season at Casey Stadium on Aug. 31 against LIU.