2026 Preview: Woodmont Wildcats

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>n honor of the five-site Prep RedZone Media Days series this June and July, we're giving everyone a 50% offer code on all subscriptions throughout July 31. Get access to more than 100 team previews and everything else we have in store for readers as we gear up for the 2026 football season. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe">Simply head to our subscription page</a> and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second year in a head coach's system is usually a good place for a step forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At Woodmont, the Wildcats' second year under Malcolm Boyd brings something the team hasn't had in quite a while - consistency.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They're excited to get started, to say the least.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Take junior wideout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818399' first='Franklin' last='Lewis']</strong>, the Wildcats' leader at WR. He sees a big difference at the very top for Woodmont.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We're building a little bit of a culture now," Lewis said. "We've got some stability. I wouldn't rather have any other coaching staff. Those guys are some of the best guys out there."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boyd said that's a fantastic thing to hear.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"It's starting to come together," he said. "Year one, especially coming in at the time we came in, it was a little rough. It's not ideal. But the community, the school, the kids - man, I can't say enough about my kids. They're amazing. They bought in, and especially in their situation where they've had four head coaches in the last five years, just to be able to come in and trust somebody like that means the world to our staff."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That trust has led to some hope, particularly in a young group. "Last year we probably played and started 22 freshmen and sophomores," Boyd said. "We basically played a JV team, knowing what our future was. We all know there's nothing like a Friday night experience, so you just go ahead and give them that taste for it because you know what's coming."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of those youngsters was freshman QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1563930' first='Harper' last='Doyle']</strong>, who's now got a year of experience under his belt. He's got the trust of his teammates, and Boyd said he's got better zip on the ball, he's getting more comfortable, and he's growing into his body. Plus, he's got a ton of skill guys around him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1732409' first='Devonte' last='Taylor']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1015154' first='Amari' last='Harris'] </strong>will both return at RB, while Lewis is back at wideout, where he'll lead a deep receiving corps, and at safety. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820713' first='Cavin' last='McDuffie']</strong> is making the switch from DL to OL, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820711' first='Donovan' last='Dudley']</strong> will be a two-way guy who primarily plays OL, and both will help offset six senior OL. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104680' first='Nymerius' last='Taylor']</strong> is being tested at several positions, because Boyd sees a future for him at the next level, likely at safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1563930' first='Harper' last='Doyle']</strong> QB, 2029 - Doyle won the job last season as a freshman, and now it's his show. He's getting bigger and stronger, and that shows in some of the things he's able to do on the field as well as in a leadership capacity. Woodmont didn't ask Doyle to do anything he wasn't capable of last season. This year, they're prepared to let him show those skills even more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1732409' first='Devonte' last='Taylor']</strong> (pictured) RB, 2028 - Boyd and the staff are excited about Taylor, particularly about being able to deploy him as part of a two-man backfield. Taylor's a fast but patient runner who can also help Doyle out a bunch with his receiving ability out of the backfield. He'll continue to shine as the Wildcats plan to build around their deep underclassman-heavy backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104680' first='Nymerius' last='Taylor']</strong> ATH, 2027 - Taylor is a guy who Boyd feels can fit right in at the next level, and he'll play in a bunch of spots for the Wildcats. There might be an increased focus on him at safety, though. There, he'll be looked at to lead a group of young but experienced guys who can be a highlight on that side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820711' first='Donovan' last='Dudley'] </strong>OL/DL - Dudley is moving over from defensive line, and he'll still likely see plenty of time there as well. But he's being counted on to help revamp an offensive line that lost six members to graduation. Dudley's got plenty of athleticism and good footwork, and he should be able to handle playing on both sides of the ball well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818402' first='Zachary' last='Land']</strong> DE/TE, 2028 - Boyd said Land's a guy who you might not notice if he walks by you, and he's sure not going to do anything flashy to draw attention to himself. But he said if you're looking for a dependable, reliable guy who always just seems to be in the right place doing the right things, Land's your guy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/26421873/690ca3b82f56fab6debfe214u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4bf7ae223cf"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Adrian Estrich</strong> OL - Estrich was one of the leaders on a group that was a bright spot for the Wildcats, and his physical brand of play will be hard to replace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818403' first='Landen' last='Pollard'] </strong>S, 2028 - A do-everything kind of defender, Pollard was among the leaders on that side of the ball for Woodmont and his level of play hints at an even bigger season this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1015154' first='Amari' last='Harris'] </strong>RB, 2028 - Harris will join Taylor in the backfield, and provides a nice change of pace along with the ability to shoulder enough of the load to keep them both fresh.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1818399"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4bf7ae22e6d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">How dynamic is Lewis? Well, he and QB Doyle have such a close and explosive connection that Boyd is considering shifting the Wildcats to a more pass-heavy scheme this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lewis is fast, for sure. He's also strong enough to beat press coverage at the line, able to run by defenders in the open field, and tall and physical enough to go get the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lewis will be a leader for a deep group of young players, and he looks like a guy who can thrive in his second year in Boyd's system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->