34 DAYS TO 2016 KICKOFF: Tanner Wood

Tanner Joe Wood (b. Nov. 11, 1994) is a talented defensive end who saw increased action on defense as a sophomore, in addition to resuming special teams responsibilities. He will look to increase his production in 2016.

Wood redshirted in 2013 and played in all 13 games in 2014, mainly on special teams. He carded one tackle against Stephen F. Austin and UTEP, while he had half a tackle for loss against the Lumberjacks.

Last season, Wood played in all 13 games as a reserve defensive end and on special teams. He recorded 34 tackles, four tackles for loss, his first two career sacks (one against South Dakota) and a pass breakup.

Wood set a career high with six tackles against Oklahoma and backed that up with five stops at Texas. He also had five tackles at Texas Tech and set a career high with 1.5 tackles for loss against Oklahoma.

Wood, who I expect to continue to be a major part of the four-man rotation at defensive end this upcoming season, is a performance freak of nature. What do I mean by that? The guy goes hard every single play.

Exhibit A: In 2012, Wood set a Kansas high school state record — and the third-best single-game rushing yardage total in national high school history — with a 659-yard, nine-TD effort in Conway Springs' 84-56 win over Chaparral.

That's just insane, folks. And he didn't do it with speed, but with brute strength and raw willpower. I don't care if the competition is perhaps a little sub-par at the Class 3A level. That's an impressive feat against tackling dummies.

Wood was named the Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year and an All-American honorable mention selection by Parade Magazine after recording 2,709 rushing yards, 43 touchdowns and 110 tackles during his senior season.

A four-year letter-winner under head coach Matt Biehler who led the Cardinals to a combined record of 45-5 during his high school career, Wood was ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 2 player in the state of Kansas in 2012.

He was named to The Topeka Capital-Journal and VarsityKansas.com 2012 Top 11 teams, and was an All-Class 3A first team performer at running back by VarsityKansas.com and at linebacker by the Capital-Journal as a senior.

Wood was chosen to play in the 2013 Kansas Shrine Bowl after being named a first-team All-Central Plains League performer as a running back and linebacker in 2012.

An all-state pick at linebacker as a junior, he led Conway Springs to a 13-1 record and a Kansas Class 3A state championship in 2011. Wood also tallied 88 tackles and three interceptions during his junior campaign.

Wood also was a high school standout in basketball and track and field who has the potential to become another Monty Beisel or Ben Leber for us. He earned first-team Academic All-Big 12 honors in each of the last two seasons.