Using his Mind and his Body
10/28/2019 8:00:00 PM | Football, Student Athlete, Features
By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications
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Senior Keith Woetzel likes to read minds. It's something he does in his current role on the Lehigh football team and hopes to do in a future career in consumer psychology.
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"As a linebacker, you think about what plays your opponent is trying to run," said the Wyckoff, New Jersey native. "In psychology, especially in the consumer market, you think about consumer thought processes and buyer behaviors."
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One reason Woetzel has developed such a strong football mind, and an ability to understand the game at a deep level, is playing quarterback in high school.
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"I really wanted to play quarterback in college," he said. "But then during my sophomore year, I got beat out for the starting job. My high school coach knew I was a good athlete, so he put me at linebacker. I started to excel at the position then come senior year, the quarterback position opened again so I become an All-State quarterback while still playing defense."
Â
By that time, Lehigh had already offered Woetzel as a linebacker, so he officially decided to trade the traditional quarterback role for the "quarterback of the defense" and play linebacker in college.
Â
It has taken some time for Woetzel to develop into an anchor of Lehigh's defense, which he is today. Through his collegiate tenure, he's experienced just about everything.
Â
"During my freshman year, I didn't travel and was just a scout team player," he said. "Winning the league as a freshman and being a part of the program, I felt like it affirmed my decision to come here. There was a championship culture. The older guys showed the way with their work ethic. Football is a grind, but you still need to have fun and have a passion for the game."
Â
As a sophomore, Woetzel started all 12 games for a Lehigh team that started slowly, but rebounded to win its second straight Patriot League Championship.
Â
"Playing and being a part of that championship team helped me grow as a football player and person," he said.
Â
Growth happens with success, but arguably more growth happens with failure. The Mountain Hawks endured failure to start that (2017) season, beginning 0-5.
Â
They also went through failure in the ensuing (2018) campaign, finishing 3-8.
Â
"You try so hard and put so much work and effort in. To come out on the short end of the results, it's deflating," said Woetzel. "But that's football and that's life. It was a good teaching lesson for our team, not only on, but also off the field. Even though you put your full effort in, you don't always get the results you want, but you have to stick to it and keep grinding.
Â
"There's the saying 'no pain, no gain.' You grow most through the struggles of a student-athlete," Woetzel continued. "You learn a lot about yourself and your teammates during those times."
Â
The Mountain Hawks have learned from the tough times and it's led to increased success this season, due in large part to Woetzel. The Mountain Hawks currently stand 2-0 in Patriot League play, led by an upstart defense.
Â
Lehigh opened league play with a dominant defensive effort at Colgate in a 21-14 win. Next time out, the defense came up with timely plays in a 30-27 overtime victory at Fordham. Two days later, Woetzel was named Patriot League and National Defensive Player of the Week.
Â
"The success we're having on the defensive side of the ball is a credit to all our guys not giving in, even after seasons we've had in the past," said Woetzel. Â
Â
One of the reasons for the Mountain Hawks' defensive improvement is schemes, an area in which Woetzel thrives – the mental part of the game.
Â
"Football isn't just a physical game like some people think," said Woetzel. "It's a mental game, a strategy game."
Â
"Even though our scheme is a little bit different than previous years, Keith understands defensive concepts and there's a lot of carryover," said first-year head coach Tom Gilmore. "He quickly learned the differences with the current scheme and has been able to really produce."
Â
"As a linebacker, you have to think so much before the play, make your reads and anticipate what's coming," said Woetzel. "You're making sure everyone else is aligned, you're making the calls and making the checks. But you also still have the greatness of football with the physicality of the game."
Â
Woetzel loves the mental component of figuring out where he needs to be to make plays, but he loves making the plays. He credits the defensive line for making his job easier.
Â
"Our front four is much improved with their stunts, knowing their jobs and getting push," he said. "If you've seen an increase in my play, it's because of them. They're getting a lot more penetration and they're taking doubles off me, so I'm free. Same thing with (fellow linebacker) Pete Haffner."
Â
One (of several) big performances for Woetzel came at Colgate when he recorded 13 tackles and 2.5 sacks to earn Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week for the first time this season. It happened again (along with national recognition) following 15 tackles and four sacks at Fordham.
Â
"Coach Kash (Mike Kashurba), our defensive coordinator, puts together a great game plan every week," said Woetzel. "Our system is one of the best I've ever been in. It requires a lot of cognitive and mental effort. That's definitely a credit to why we're so good this year."
Â
What's one reason why Woetzel is so good?
Â
He pours his all into everything he does.
Â
"It's hard to not give your full effort in everything," said Woetzel. "If I'm going to do it, give 100 percent. Whether it's school or football, it's hard for me to do something to just get by. If I'm going to do something and invest so much time in, why not just be great at it?"
Â
This mindset naturally demands respect from his teammates.
Â
"A couple times a week in our group chats, it will 9:30 or 10 p.m. and Keith will be texting that he's going to the office to watch film if anybody wants to come," said senior defensive lineman Davis Maxie. "It drags people along and gets people better."
Â
Although Woetzel's position may not read "quarterback," his background at that position has helped make him into the player he is today.
Â
"As a quarterback, you need to know a lot about the game. Now that he's on the defensive side of the ball, that knowledge does help," said Gilmore.
Â
"I always tell young coaches that one of the best things I ever did as a young defensive coach was to flip sides and coach the offense," Gilmore continued. "That really allowed me to expand my knowledge of the game. You start understanding things about the other side of the ball that you might not have otherwise."
Â
Understanding the game creates a foundation for success in all areas.
Â
"Keith's understanding of the game allows him to play very aggressively," said Gilmore. "He plays with confidence and physicality, and there's not really any weakness in his game. He 'gets it' and he's getting better every week."
Â
If the Mountain Hawks keep getting better, they will put themselves in a great position for their third league championship in four years.
Â
Woetzel has been through too much to become complacent. He will continue pouring his all into everything he does, appreciating the journey.
Â
Through his journey, Woetzel is undoubtedly leaving his mark on the Lehigh football program.
Â
"You always want to leave something better than you found it," he said. "It's also important to instill values in the young guys, especially toughness. Just keep grinding even if you're down.
Â
"Life can be unfair. You've to keep going, and enjoy the little things. With those values, the Lehigh football program will be in great shape for years to come."
Â
Â
Senior Keith Woetzel likes to read minds. It's something he does in his current role on the Lehigh football team and hopes to do in a future career in consumer psychology.
Â
"As a linebacker, you think about what plays your opponent is trying to run," said the Wyckoff, New Jersey native. "In psychology, especially in the consumer market, you think about consumer thought processes and buyer behaviors."
Â
One reason Woetzel has developed such a strong football mind, and an ability to understand the game at a deep level, is playing quarterback in high school.
Â
"I really wanted to play quarterback in college," he said. "But then during my sophomore year, I got beat out for the starting job. My high school coach knew I was a good athlete, so he put me at linebacker. I started to excel at the position then come senior year, the quarterback position opened again so I become an All-State quarterback while still playing defense."
Â
By that time, Lehigh had already offered Woetzel as a linebacker, so he officially decided to trade the traditional quarterback role for the "quarterback of the defense" and play linebacker in college.
Â
It has taken some time for Woetzel to develop into an anchor of Lehigh's defense, which he is today. Through his collegiate tenure, he's experienced just about everything.
 "During my freshman year, I didn't travel and was just a scout team player," he said. "Winning the league as a freshman and being a part of the program, I felt like it affirmed my decision to come here. There was a championship culture. The older guys showed the way with their work ethic. Football is a grind, but you still need to have fun and have a passion for the game."
Â
As a sophomore, Woetzel started all 12 games for a Lehigh team that started slowly, but rebounded to win its second straight Patriot League Championship.
Â
"Playing and being a part of that championship team helped me grow as a football player and person," he said.
Â
Growth happens with success, but arguably more growth happens with failure. The Mountain Hawks endured failure to start that (2017) season, beginning 0-5.
Â
They also went through failure in the ensuing (2018) campaign, finishing 3-8.
Â
"You try so hard and put so much work and effort in. To come out on the short end of the results, it's deflating," said Woetzel. "But that's football and that's life. It was a good teaching lesson for our team, not only on, but also off the field. Even though you put your full effort in, you don't always get the results you want, but you have to stick to it and keep grinding.
Â
"There's the saying 'no pain, no gain.' You grow most through the struggles of a student-athlete," Woetzel continued. "You learn a lot about yourself and your teammates during those times."
Â
The Mountain Hawks have learned from the tough times and it's led to increased success this season, due in large part to Woetzel. The Mountain Hawks currently stand 2-0 in Patriot League play, led by an upstart defense.
Â
Lehigh opened league play with a dominant defensive effort at Colgate in a 21-14 win. Next time out, the defense came up with timely plays in a 30-27 overtime victory at Fordham. Two days later, Woetzel was named Patriot League and National Defensive Player of the Week.
Â
"The success we're having on the defensive side of the ball is a credit to all our guys not giving in, even after seasons we've had in the past," said Woetzel. Â
Â
One of the reasons for the Mountain Hawks' defensive improvement is schemes, an area in which Woetzel thrives – the mental part of the game.
Â
"Football isn't just a physical game like some people think," said Woetzel. "It's a mental game, a strategy game."
Â
"Even though our scheme is a little bit different than previous years, Keith understands defensive concepts and there's a lot of carryover," said first-year head coach Tom Gilmore. "He quickly learned the differences with the current scheme and has been able to really produce."
Â
"As a linebacker, you have to think so much before the play, make your reads and anticipate what's coming," said Woetzel. "You're making sure everyone else is aligned, you're making the calls and making the checks. But you also still have the greatness of football with the physicality of the game."
Â
Woetzel loves the mental component of figuring out where he needs to be to make plays, but he loves making the plays. He credits the defensive line for making his job easier.
Â
"Our front four is much improved with their stunts, knowing their jobs and getting push," he said. "If you've seen an increase in my play, it's because of them. They're getting a lot more penetration and they're taking doubles off me, so I'm free. Same thing with (fellow linebacker) Pete Haffner."
Â
One (of several) big performances for Woetzel came at Colgate when he recorded 13 tackles and 2.5 sacks to earn Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week for the first time this season. It happened again (along with national recognition) following 15 tackles and four sacks at Fordham.
Â
"Coach Kash (Mike Kashurba), our defensive coordinator, puts together a great game plan every week," said Woetzel. "Our system is one of the best I've ever been in. It requires a lot of cognitive and mental effort. That's definitely a credit to why we're so good this year."
Â
What's one reason why Woetzel is so good?
Â
He pours his all into everything he does.
 "It's hard to not give your full effort in everything," said Woetzel. "If I'm going to do it, give 100 percent. Whether it's school or football, it's hard for me to do something to just get by. If I'm going to do something and invest so much time in, why not just be great at it?"
Â
This mindset naturally demands respect from his teammates.
Â
"A couple times a week in our group chats, it will 9:30 or 10 p.m. and Keith will be texting that he's going to the office to watch film if anybody wants to come," said senior defensive lineman Davis Maxie. "It drags people along and gets people better."
Â
Although Woetzel's position may not read "quarterback," his background at that position has helped make him into the player he is today.
Â
"As a quarterback, you need to know a lot about the game. Now that he's on the defensive side of the ball, that knowledge does help," said Gilmore.
Â
"I always tell young coaches that one of the best things I ever did as a young defensive coach was to flip sides and coach the offense," Gilmore continued. "That really allowed me to expand my knowledge of the game. You start understanding things about the other side of the ball that you might not have otherwise."
Â
Understanding the game creates a foundation for success in all areas.
Â
"Keith's understanding of the game allows him to play very aggressively," said Gilmore. "He plays with confidence and physicality, and there's not really any weakness in his game. He 'gets it' and he's getting better every week."
Â
If the Mountain Hawks keep getting better, they will put themselves in a great position for their third league championship in four years.
Â
Woetzel has been through too much to become complacent. He will continue pouring his all into everything he does, appreciating the journey.
Â
Through his journey, Woetzel is undoubtedly leaving his mark on the Lehigh football program.
Â
"You always want to leave something better than you found it," he said. "It's also important to instill values in the young guys, especially toughness. Just keep grinding even if you're down.
Â
"Life can be unfair. You've to keep going, and enjoy the little things. With those values, the Lehigh football program will be in great shape for years to come."
Â
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