Niceville's Wood commits to FSU

By JARED MACARIN

jaredm@nwfdailynews.com

Austin Wood has been feeling the pressure for months.

He’s dealt with the phone calls, the questions and inquiries about where he was headed to college long before his senior year at Niceville began.

Then late Tuesday — two days into the school year — Wood made his choice.

The Eagles’ standout pitcher decided to verbally commit to national power Florida State. He can make his commitment official in November during the early signing period.

“It’s a lot of weight off my shoulders,” he said. “I just think it was the right place for me.”

Wood, who has been recognized as one of the top seniors in the country by numerous scouting services and publications, picked the Seminoles over Florida, Ole Miss and Alabama. As a junior for the Eagles, Wood went 6-2 with a 1.35 ERA and had 83 strikeouts in 52 innings. He was a first-team all-area selection by the Daily News and an honorable mention pick for the Class 5A all-state team.

“I’ve always been a Seminole and dreamed to pitch there ever since I moved to Florida,” he said. “It was closer to home, and I think it’s the best fit for me.”

Despite his boyhood dreams of wanting to play in Tallahassee, Wood said the choice was extremely difficult and agonizing over the past months.

“It was tough telling three great schools I wasn’t interested,” he said. “It was tough on me because you’re constantly being pressured to commit somewhere.”

Wood’s commitment caps an event-filled summer for the 6-foot-4, 205-pound right hander. Wood spent the summer in Cincinnati playing travel ball and his team, the Midland Redskins, won the Connie Mack World Series.

“It was unforgettable,” Wood said of his summer experience. “I’ll be telling my kids about it. It wasn’t a normal summer vacation.”

And now he knows where he is headed after this year.

“It’s nice knowing where I’m going and I can enjoy my senior year a little more,” he said. “I’m excited about this year and can’t wait to see how we do.”