WS Chronicle

Staff Report

The Winston-Salem Chronicle

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Winston-Salem State University has tapped one of its most accomplished alumni to steer the Rams’ football program into a new era, and his first recruiting class signals a determined push to rebuild locally and regionally.

Former NFL quarterback Tory Woodbury — a standout Ram who went on to professional success and an expansive coaching career — was officially introduced as WSSU’s head football coach in December. Woodbury’s hiring follows a national search and comes with a clear mandate from university leadership to “restore the standard” of Rams football after several challenging seasons. 

Woodbury is no stranger to the Winston-Salem community. A Happy Hill Gardens native and WSSU Hall of Famer, he broke records as a Ram quarterback and later logged eight seasons as a professional player with teams including the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills. His coaching résumé spans high school to the NFL — including being part of the Los Angeles Rams staff that won Super Bowl LVI — before most recently serving as assistant head coach and special teams coordinator at Norfolk State. 

At his introductory press conference on campus, Woodbury spoke of returning home not just to coach, but to mentor young men on and off the field. WSSU Chancellor Bonita J. Brown emphasized the hire as a cultural reset as much as a football decision, urging the community to rally behind the program as it rebuilds. 

First Signing Class Under Woodbury Reflects Local Roots

On National Signing Day, Woodbury and his staff unveiled their first recruiting class, a 2026 haul built with strong ties across North Carolina and into Virginia. The 15 incoming signees reflect a deliberate strategy to lean on regional talent — including several players from Winston-Salem and the Triad area, reinforcing the Rams’ traditional pipeline. 

The class features players at key skill positions — from quarterback and wide receiver to defensive back and the trenches — as Woodbury begins assembling the pieces of his game plan. Highlights include a punter and top-ranked long snapper, two specialist roles that can often swing close contests but are sometimes overlooked in recruiting coverage. 

Two transfers from Norfolk State also joined the group, bringing collegiate experience and familiarity with Woodbury’s expectations, which could prove valuable as the Rams look to speed up their rebuild. 

Community and Expectations

For fans in the Triad — many of whom grew up watching Woodbury play at Bowman Gray Stadium — this moment carries both nostalgia and hope. The 2026 recruiting class is the first tangible measure of Woodbury’s vision for the program, one built around size, speed, versatility and local investment. 

As Woodbury and his staff continue to supplement the roster and prepare for the fall, WSSU’s community will be watching closely to see how the new era unfolds both on the field and in the support off the campus.