Clemson Football: Three questions about the linebackers

Is Wade Woodaz ready to start for Clemson Football?

As was said, Simpson is now in the NFL. One of the surprises last season at the linebacker position was the emergence of Woodaz. Many (including yours truly) assumed Woodaz was a candidate for a redshirt as he learned the position (he was more of a safety in high school).

As fall camp progressed, we started to hear that Woodaz was making a case for playing time in 2022. They brought him along slowly but eventually, he was the first linebacker off the bench to spell Simpson. When Simpson was injured at the end of the year, Woodaz stepped in as starting SAM.

The 2023 starting job belongs to Woodaz, but is he ready for the increased workload? For all the praise, he only played 180 snaps. Contrast that with Carter (832 snaps) and Trotter (678 snaps).

Those that praised Woodaz last fall did comment on his maturity, which indicates he will work hard to be ready. He also gives the staff the ability to change formations without substituting. He can be a third safety if the situation calls for it.

Given his work ethic and physical capabilities, Woodaz should be up to the task. The bigger concern might be if Carter or Trotter miss time to injury, in which case Woodaz might need to slide to MIKE or WILL, where he has little to no experience. He has been cross-training there this fall.

There is also chance that Clemson employs the 4-2-5 scheme, which will likely bring a safety or nickel on the field in place of the SAM.