DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — If he wanted, Dustin Woods probably would make a good spy.

Miami University's sophomore wide receiver is about as elusive as they come, especially when he is being chased by people on the other side. Woods is very good at keeping a secret, too.

Last fall, for instance, hardly anyone was aware that he was injured, and at certain times, practically incapacitated.

"My shoulder has been hurt since high school," Woods explained after practice at Yager Stadium. "It was slowly tearing."

During the same 2006 season in which Woods was turning into a big-play specialist, leading the RedHawks with 20.2 yards per catch, he also was suffering from an injured ligament that he had torn while playing for Purcell Marian High.

"It happened on the first play of my senior year when I fell wrong," Woods said. "It got worse and worse.

"Last year it would pop out of place and be numb for a couple minutes," he said. "It was hard to lift it up. Luckily, I didn't get many balls thrown to me during those situations. I tried to hide it for the most part."

This was an intolerable situation for Woods, who was expected to replace the great Ryne Robinson as Miami's go-to receiver. He underwent surgery on Dec. 1.

"I didn't start therapy until my fifth week out of surgery," he said. "I was in therapy for about five and a half months. It was a pretty bad tear."

Woods missed all of spring practice, but is back on the field now.

"I'm pretty much all the way back except for a little bit of stiffness, a little bit of rust," he said.

Woods said he was "very blessed, very excited" about being able to contribute to the team despite the injury, about running pass routes with Robinson, who broke Miami's career receiving records for yards and catches last fall. "I learned so much playing along side Ryne."

Now Woods is ready for something he hasn't experienced in about three years: a shoulder that feels normal.

"I don't even remember having that feeling," Woods said. "I'm excited for it to feel that way."