National Football Foundation

Throughout his high school career, Daniel Wodicka established himself as versatile a student-athlete as they come, matching his stellar athletic accomplishments with an impeccable record in the classroom and as a leader in the West Lafayette community. 

Named as one of the state of Indiana's top 50 players by the Indiana Football Coaches Association, Wodicka garnered four football letters, playing quarterback, defensive back, wide receiver and running back. After collecting all-state honors at wide receiver as a junior, Wodicka moved to quarterback his senior season and again garnered All-State honors while leading West Lafayette to an undefeated state championship in Class 3A. He earned the state's Mr. Football honors as a senior in 2009, and he was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the Indiana North-South All-Star Game. 

In all, Wodicka caught 109 passes for 1,617 yards and 17 touchdowns; rushed for 2,011 yards and 34 scores on 249 carries; and completed 180 of 328 passes for 2,531 yards with 28 touchdowns against just six interceptions. In addition, he returned 35 punts for 436 yards and a touchdown; returned 17 kicks for 352 yards; and collected nearly 200 tackles, 12 interceptions, 26 pass breakups and five fumble recoveries. 

With a 3.98 GPA on a four-point scale, Wodicka was valedictorian of his high school class of 165. He was one of five players to earn an Indiana Football Hall of Fame scholarship and was the state's Class 3A Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award recipient. 

"What you see is the honest reflection of Daniel," said West Lafayette head coach Marshall Overley. "He is positive and joyful whether he was competing for a state championship, working with elementary players in the summer, competing on the practice field or spending time with Larry, a friend with Down's Syndrome. 

"Humility, joy in competition, stability in times of challenge concern for others and just delighting in life are hallmarks of this young man and his family. Daniel is now in the rotation of Johns Hopkins at a slot position. He is working on a degree in Biomedical engineering. If anyone can succeed and enjoy the ride, Daniel can." 

Outside the gridiron, Wodicka led a group that earned Indiana's "Best Buddy Pair of the Year," working with a student with Down's syndrome. He played cello in the school orchestra; mentored elementary school football players and visited residents of a local nursing home. He also started at point guard for three years on the West Lafayette basketball team and was a four-year starter in baseball. 

Wodicka graduated from Johns Hopkins University (Md.)  in May 2014 after a standout four-year career as a wide receiver on the Blue Jays football team. He earned All-Centennial Conference honors in each of his final three seasons and concluded his career as the school’s all-time leader in receptions (260) while also ranking second in career receiving yards (3,148) and tied for seventh in career TDs (16). In addition to his career marks, Wodicka also holds single-game (15) and single-season (94) records for receptions.

With Wodicka leading the way, Johns Hopkins enjoyed one of the great four-year runs in school history from 2010-13. The Blue Jays won four Centennial Conference titles, advanced to the NCAA Playoffs three times, won the 2010 ECAC South Atlantic Bowl and posted a four-year record of 38-7. Wodicka is currently the Johns Hopkins wide receivers coach.