OAKVILLE, Ontario - Jordan Woods made a big decision about the time he was entering high school.

“I was playing both hockey and baseball all my life,” Woods explained. “It came to the point I had to pick one and I thought I had a better chance to go farther in baseball.”

That was in grade nine.

“After the first year of doing all baseball, I decided I wanted to play at the next level,” Woods added.

That is now a reality after a recent commitment with East Tennessee State.

“My team (Ontario Terriers) gave me their number,” Woods reflected back to mid-August when the big decision started. “It was tricky with covid. They couldn’t see me in Canada so periodically I sent them video.”

Interest increased along the way.

“We talked and it started to pick up,” the top-ranked 2022 left-handed pitcher in Ontario said. “That’s when they gave me an offer and I took it. They like my potential. I don’t throw particularly hard, 86-87, but they like what I can become.”

The Southern Conference university had what the 6-3 165-pounder was looking for in a college.

“It’s not too big of a school, which I like, “ Woods noted. “I like the program and the competition they play. It’s somewhere I can grow and flourish, and I also like their academics.”

The idea of playing in college may never have happened if not for his father, Len.

“At one point I thought I was going nowhere,” Woods related. “He was the one that pushed me to get where I’m at today. I didn’t want to work out and practice and he’s the one that got me to do it. I didn’t enjoy it then, but I thank him now.”

Improvement has followed for Woods, who also had interest from the likes of Niagara and Pittsburgh.

“I’ve had a jump in velocity,” the left-hander said about where he has gotten better to help bring interest. “I was throwing high-70s, low-80s before. I also started going to more events which helped a lot. The PBR Future Games Trials really helped get me on the map.

“I also developed a third pitch, a changeup,” Woods added. “The pitching coach at East Tennessee helped give me pointers with that.”

The southpaw has impressed the staff at PBR.

“A young lefty with the ability to spin the ball,” it says on his PBR profile page following an event in July. “A definite follow out of the 2022 class.”

More improvement is in the works as the St. Ignatius of Loyola High School junior prepares for his college days.

“My main focus right now is getting more velocity,” the 11th-ranked 2022 in Ontario said. “I have a goal of 90 this offseason. I also need to work to keep developing my changeup.”

The decision to reclassify in June gives Woods more time to progress before making an impact at the university located in Johnson City.

“I’m a good role model,” Woods said about what he can bring to the program. “I’m not a loud guy, I lead by example and give people tips. I’m ready to get there and try to start as a freshman.”

Knowing where his future lies is a blessing for the 3.0 student looking at a major in kinesiology.

“It’s a big relief for me,” admitted Woods, whose only previous trip to Tennessee was to Nashville, four hours away from East Tennessee State. “I didn’t really love when I started talking with coaches. I was very nervous so I’m excited and relieved to get to a good school where I can flourish.”

Woods looks forward to what is ahead.

“I love the competitiveness and the atmosphere down in the states,” concluded Woods, who lives 11 hours from the ETSU campus. “I’m really looking forward to that.”