MARQUIS WOODYARD, a Thomas Johnson star who won two state titles in track last spring, chose to accept a football scholarship from James Madison University.

The star athlete at Thomas Johnson High School verbally committed to James Madison University on a full scholarship to play football.

"I've always played football. It's in my heart," Woodyard said. "I have been playing since I was 5 years old. That's what I wanted to play in college."

There's certainly no questioning Woodyard's credentials. The 6-foot, 185-pound senior is fast, athletic and one of the top receivers and defensive backs for the Patriots.

But Woodyard, perhaps, did his finest work last year in another sport.

As a sprinter and hurdler for the TJ track team, he claimed state titles in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles with times that were among the best in the nation.

He claimed the 110 title in 14.19 seconds and the 300 in 38.69, in addition to running the anchor leg of the 1,600 relay in 49 seconds flat to help the Patriots finish third in the race and claim the overall team title in Class 4A.

After the season, he became the first TJ athlete to be named the Gatorade Maryland Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

James Madison, however, does not have a men's track team. It was cut in 2007 to satisfy a Title IX requirement.

When asked if he was tempted to delay his college decision until after the indoor and outdoor track seasons to see what other offers might come in, Woodyard responded, "I thought about that. But I figured my future was more in football than it was in track.

"The success I had in track last year was new to me. I have never done anything like that before, where as I've always played football. I thought it over and talked about it with my family and, financially, I was probably going to be better off sticking with football. Plus, I like more of the team concept kind of thing. I like playing for a team instead of competing individually a lot of the time."

TJ track coach Nick Snyder was glad to hear of Woodyard's decision, even though he would have liked to see him go to a college where running track was an option.

"When I heard it was a full ride, I can't really blame him," Snyder said. "When you get offered a full ride to a school like that, it's kind of hard not to take it."

James Madison has been one of the top football programs in Division I-AA in recent years. The Dukes were just ranked sixth in the preseason Football Championship Subdivision Coaches poll.

Woodyard attended a football camp on campus in Harrisonburg, Va. and then made his official visit to the school on Aug. 15.

"The first time I stepped on campus, it felt like the place I wanted to go," he said.

Woodyard already knows some Frederick County players on the team, which he said influenced his decision.

He visited the school on the same day as fellow receiver and James Madison recruit Ryan Dixon of Linganore . Woodyard also knows former Tuscarora standout Jakarie Jackson, who is a freshman for the Dukes this year.

"It's just a place that is real comfortable for me," Woodyard said. "Now that my college decision is out of the way, it's just one less thing that I have to worry about. It feels like a great big weight has been lifted off my shoulders."