Palomar Comets Football 2009

QUAN WOODEN

NO. 4 /  CORNERBACK, FR, 6-0, 190; 40 TIME 4.38

HOMETOWN: Charlotte, NC

HIGH SCHOOL: Independence (Charlotte, NC) (Class of 2008)

PREVIOUS 4-YEAR COLLEGE: Transfer from NCAA Division II University of North Carolina-Pembroke, where he red-shirted.

PERSONAL: Actual name is RaQuan Wooden. ... Born Aug. 4, 1990 in Washington, NC. ... Son of Wayne and Betty Bland. ... Has three brothers -- Ben (11), Justin (10) and Jayson (7).

2009 SEASON: Has four tackles (three solo), an interception (and 50-yard return) and a pass-break up as of Oct. 2, after Palomar's first four games. ... Contributed a solo tackle in the Comets' 55-0 season-opening victory at Southwestern on Sept. 5. ... Had two tackles, one solo, in a 24-7 win over Victor Valley on Sept. 12. ... Intercepted a pass at the Palomar 4-yard line and returned it 50 yards vs. San Diego Mesa on the final play of the first half on Sept. 12, allowing the Comets to go into the locker room with a 17-6 lead in a game they eventually won 27-17. ... Had a solo tackle in a 17-7 victory at College of the Desert on Sept. 26.

2008 SEASON: Red-shirted at University of North Carolina-Pembroke.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Prepped at Independence High School under coach Tom Knotts. ... Helped lead the Patriots to a 13-3 record as a senior, including a 6-1 mark in the Southwestern 4A League, as well as a berth in the North Carolina state championship game. ...  Was part of Independence's 109-game winning streak. ... Had 32 tackles, nine assisted tackles, six interceptions, four pass break-ups and one fumble recovery. ... Also returned seven kicks for 168 yards and a 24.0-yard average. ... Among the top 25 interception leaders in the state for two consecutive seasons. ... Spent his junior year at South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, where he accounted for 13 offensive touchdowns -- and had six interceptions and five pass deflections. ... Winner of Gatorade High School "Will to Win" award.

OTHER HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS: Basketball, Track & field (two-time all-conference and regional and state meet qualifier).

ACADEMICS: Physical Education major. ... Carried 2.8 high school grade-point average.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Over his summer break, returned home to Charlotte,  NC, each summer where he volunteered to read  to young students at a local elementary school. Wooden on the experience: "It was really cool. These kids have so mjuch energy and potential, you could see it in their eyes. ... Who knows? The next President may be sitting  in the room."

(Updated Oct. 2, 2009)