OXFORD — Oscar McWood remembers when the game felt too fast.
When he first stepped onto the field at Miami, the linebacker from Grosse Pointe, Mich., was a player trying to mimic the pace of Division I football.
Now, in his redshirt senior season, McWood feels the opposite.
“Things slow down a lot as you age,” he said. “When I first came out there, it felt like my head was spinning a little bit. But now, my fifth year, obviously I’m stronger and faster, and it helps to understand the game. In the bigger games, things slow down. Playing those types of games is very fun — and it’s not anything we haven’t seen.”
McWood has become one of the most versatile and reliable pieces on Miami’s defense. He has logged time at nickel, linebacker and other spots in between — giving the RedHawks (0-2) flexibility against opponents ranging from bruising Big Ten running games to the spread-heavy looks of the Mid-American Conference.
“Being able to play multiple positions, especially at this level, is a very important trait to have,” McWood said. “It helps you understand the defense as a whole. Playing nickel, you’re outside the box and you see a bigger picture. Going back from nickel and will, you see things differently. It definitely helps you as a player, and it helps when you’re trying to get your defense in checks.”
That versatility isn’t just a tactical advantage — it’s also why younger players gravitate toward him. A linebacker who has worn different hats can explain assignments across the defense, giving him credibility with newcomers.
“It’s easier for me to try and help them,” McWood said. “Whether it’s schematic or just what they have to do each and every day, each and every down. It helps me become a better player, too. I’m learning each and every day. I’m no master of this all, but having experience helps me help other guys.”
McWood’s leadership has been tested early in 2025. Miami opened with two straight trips to Big Ten stadiums — at Wisconsin, then at Rutgers — where the RedHawks hung tough but absorbed the physical toll that comes with playing programs built on depth and size.
“The competition is what you look for each and every week,” McWood said. “We played two very good offenses the past two weeks. First week we did a much better job as a whole defense.
“Last week we kind of fell short of our goal of winning the game and allowing them to score less points than they did.”
At Rutgers this past Saturday, the RedHawks were picked apart by quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, who combined quick decisions with an ability to extend plays.
“They had a really good game plan against us and executed it very well,” McWood said. “We didn’t execute our game plan as we had planned to. That’s just something we have to work on as a whole defense. It’s not just individual guys, it’s everyone.”
After the rugged stretch, the early bye week is welcomed. McWood admitted that — like most of his teammates’ — he needs the reset.
“Your body is going through a lot each and every week,” McWood said. “So having that bye week heading into UNLV is super important for us all — to recover any guys who have soft tissue things going on or anything minor.”
The Rebels will present a new wrinkle — a quarterback who can run as well as throw.
“They’ve got two very good runners,” McWood said. “We’ve seen it before, but anytime you add the quarterback into the run game it’s a difficult thing to prepare for. We practice against it with Dequan Finn all spring and fall camp, so it’s not like we haven’t seen it. It’ll be a great test.”
McWood said he’s not the flashiest player on the field, but he’s the kind who makes sure others are lined up correctly, calls out shifts before the snap and delivers a steady performance week after week.
“Obviously being an older guy, it’s important to help the younger guys and even the guys your age,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of new faces on the defense, and sharing my experience with them is very important. I feel like I’ve definitely taken a step up in my leadership.”
After two weeks on the road, McWood is eager for the familiar comfort of Yager Stadium. Miami has gone 26-5 at home in its last 31 games — a record that doesn’t happen by accident.
“The fans are a big help,” McWood said. “When you have the fans at your back and they’re not going crazy when Miami is on offense, it’s definitely helpful. It might mean a little more to us at home too, especially to defend Yeager Stadium. We don’t let people come in here and run over us.”
That home-field edge has become part of Miami’s identity. In a conference where parity runs deep, protecting Oxford has fueled the RedHawks’ consistent place among the MAC’s contenders.
The 2025 season represents more than just McWood’s final campaign. It’s an opportunity to cement his legacy as both a versatile linebacker and a leader who bridged old and new eras of Miami football.
The game has slowed down for him, and his body is stronger, his voice louder, his perspective sharper. That makes him the kind of player who can steady the Miami defense.
“I’m excited to play at home,” McWood said. “It’s a chance to show what we’ve built, to protect our field and to leave things better than we found them.”
