Real Deal: Real Woods joined Iowa wrestling program with sights set on NCAA title

IOWA CITY - Real Woods accomplished his academic goal at Stanford.

The two-time Scholar All-American earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology as a standout for Cardinals’ wrestling.

Now, the graduate transfer is ready to make another dream a reality.

The three-time NCAA qualifier and two-time All-American landed at Iowa with two seasons of eligibility remaining to claim an NCAA title. Woods won his Hawkeye debut Sunday, beating Iowa State’s Casey Swiderski, 4-2, and is back in the probable lineup for second-ranked Iowa’s dual Saturday at University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

Woods experienced the Carver-Hawkeye Arena atmosphere, attending an Iowa dual his freshman year in high school. Nothing in wrestling compares to it.

“It was electric,” Woods said. “(Iowa associate head coach) Terry Brands just got through saying you’ve got to absorb that energy and that’s exactly what I did.

“It made it really fun. Got my emotions up. Energy was high. It was fun.”

Woods’ feats in the classroom afforded him the current opportunity on the mat. He completed his undergraduate work allowed him to think more about his wrestling future.

“Having earned my degree at Stanford, that was my goal and my dream, I accomplished that dream,” Woods said. “Checked that box. Time to move on. I moved on to my next dream and that’s an NCAA title. I put myself in the best spot to accomplish that.”

The same mentality is applied in the practice room. Woods uses a cerebral approach.

“He’s very intellectual in the sport of wrestling,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said, “and how he approaches getting better, analyzing, watching, talking, listening and all those things.”

Woods was a highly-touted recruit, coming out of wrestler power Montini Catholic High School in Lombard, Ill. He was a three-time state champion and four-time finalist.

Success continued at Stanford. Woods was a two-time Pac-12 Conference titlist. He was a first-team All-American selection by the National Wrestling Coaches Association in 2020 when he earned the No. 3 seed at the NCAA Championships that were canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Woods qualified for nationals in 2021 and placed sixth at 141 in March, posting a 42-8 career record with the Cardinals. His instincts led him to Iowa City.

“A lot of it was a leap of faith,” Woods said. “There were a few options. I’ve been around the college wrestling scene and I decided there was strong enough evidence that I felt it would fit my style, personality, etc., the most. Thankfully, it has and it has exceeded my expectations.”

Woods conducts himself without tightness or drama that might come with elite-level athletes. Brands said Woods is the kind of guy that you ask how they are doing and he gives you an “Of course, I’m doing fine” vibe. A refreshing attitude to experience.

“He’s pretty in control of his situation,” Brands said. “Pretty cool cat.

“Knows he has to get better. He’s humble that way. He works to get better. He’s hard working.”

Iowa (6-0) has won nine straight duals, extending into last season. The Hawkeyes are 4-0 all-time against UTC (2-5), which was previously coached by Terry Brands.

“I know we need to get better,” Tom Brands said. “I know our guys are up for it. They are up for that challenge.”