Julius Wood Bio
Julius Wood (born May 2, 2001) is an American professional football safety for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the East Carolina Pirates and was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL draft. Wood has also spent time on the roster of the Tennessee Titans during his young professional career.
Early Life and Background
Julius Wood was born on May 2, 2001, in Columbus, Ohio, United States. He attended Walnut Ridge High School in Columbus, where he developed as a multi-faceted defensive player. As a senior at Walnut Ridge High School, Wood recorded 90 tackles including 18 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 19 receptions for 275 yards, and 7 touchdowns. His standout high school performance demonstrated his ability to contribute both defensively and on special teams.
Path to American Football
After completing high school, Wood enrolled at Blinn College in 2019. At Blinn, he played as a freshman appearing in 9 games where he collected 36 tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss and recovered 2 fumbles. As a sophomore in 2020, he appeared in 3 games making 19 tackles before transferring to continue his football career at the NCAA Division I level.
Wood transferred to East Carolina University following his sophomore season at Blinn. He joined the East Carolina Pirates program and spent four seasons with the team from 2021 through 2023. At ECU, Wood developed into a reliable safety and leader in the defensive backfield, setting the foundation for his professional career.
Julius Wood Career
College Career (2019–2023)
Julius Wood began his college career at Blinn College from 2019 to 2020. As a freshman, he appeared in 9 games collecting 36 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and recovered 2 fumbles. His sophomore season saw him appear in 3 games making 19 tackles before his transfer to East Carolina University.
After transferring to East Carolina University, Wood joined the Pirates program. As a junior in 2021, he appeared in all 12 games primarily as a backup safety on defense while contributing significantly on special teams. He recorded 10 defensive tackles and 6 special teams tackles, including a 4-tackle performance with one tackle for loss against Temple University.
In 2022 as a senior, Wood started 12 of 13 games at safety and led the team with 87 tackles. He also recorded 1.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups, one quarterback hurry, and 3 forced fumbles. He earned conference Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against the University of Memphis where he made 11 tackles and returned an interception for a 47-yard touchdown. As a super senior in 2023, he started all 12 games and led the team for the second consecutive season with 86 total tackles. He added 2 interceptions, one pass breakup, 3 tackles for loss, and one quarterback hurry. His 2023 performance earned him First Team All-AAC honors, solidifying his status as one of the conference’s top safeties.
Dallas Cowboys (2024)
Julius Wood entered the 2024 NFL draft but was not selected. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys on May 9, 2024. Wood competed for a roster spot during training camp and the preseason but was waived on August 27, 2024. His initial stint with the Cowboys provided valuable NFL experience despite not making the active roster.
Tennessee Titans (2024–2025)
Wood was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans on August 28, 2024. He joined the Titans roster and appeared in 9 games during his rookie season, recording 2 tackles. On December 3, 2024, Wood was suspended for six games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy, requiring him to miss the remainder of the 2024 season and the first game of the 2025 season.
Wood remained with the Titans through the 2025 offseason but was waived on August 25, 2025. During his tenure with the Titans, Wood gained valuable NFL experience playing safety and contributing on special teams units.
Dallas Cowboys Return (2025–Present)
On October 7, 2025, Wood signed with the Dallas Cowboys practice squad, returning to the organization that originally signed him as an undrafted free agent. He demonstrated enough promise during his time on the practice squad to earn a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2026, securing his place on the Cowboys roster for the 2026 season and beyond.
Playing Style and Strengths
Wood plays the safety position, bringing versatility and football intelligence to the defensive backfield. His college career demonstrated his ability to make plays in both run defense and pass coverage. He recorded multiple interceptions and forced fumbles during his time at East Carolina, showing a knack for creating turnovers. His experience on special teams units has been a consistent part of his game throughout his career, giving him value as a roster player who can contribute in multiple phases.
Notable Events and Milestones
Wood’s college career was highlighted by his selection as First Team All-AAC in 2023, recognizing him as one of the top safeties in the American Athletic Conference. He earned conference Defensive Player of the Week honors during his 2022 season at East Carolina for his performance against Memphis. His path to the NFL as an undrafted free agent demonstrates his determination and ability to overcome setbacks throughout his football journey.
Julius Wood Career Statistics
Wood has played at the NFL level with limited statistical output through his first two seasons. His professional career has included stints with two franchises while continuing to develop as a safety and special teams contributor.
NFL Statistics
In his rookie NFL season during 2024, Wood appeared in 9 games split between the Dallas Cowboys and Tennessee Titans. He recorded 2 total tackles during his professional career. His limited statistics reflect his role as a developmental player and special teams contributor rather than a primary defensive playmaker at the NFL level.
Julius Wood Family
Family Background
Public records do not provide detailed information about Julius Wood’s family background, parents, or siblings. His personal family information remains private and has not been widely reported in available sources.
Personal Life
Julius Wood maintains an active presence on social media with his Twitter handle @4thqtrwood and Instagram handle @4thqtrwood. He continues to pursue his NFL career following his return to the Dallas Cowboys organization. Beyond football, detailed personal life information about Wood remains private and is not extensively documented in public sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season saw Julius Wood begin the year with the Tennessee Titans after being claimed off waivers in 2024. He appeared in games early in the season before being waived by the Titans on August 25, 2025. His time with the Titans provided continued NFL experience and development opportunities despite the challenges of a suspended rookie season.
Following his release from the Titans, Wood signed with the Dallas Cowboys practice squad on October 7, 2025. His return to Dallas demonstrated the Cowboys’ continued interest in his potential as a developmental safety. The Cowboys signed him to a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2026, indicating their belief in his ability to contribute to the organization long-term.
The outlook for Wood centers on his continued development within the Cowboys defensive system. At 25 years old, he has time to grow as a professional player. His ability to contribute on special teams and develop as a safety will be key factors in his quest to earn a permanent roster spot with Dallas. His journey from undrafted free agent to practice squad player to reserve/future contract signee reflects his persistence in pursuing an NFL career.