Traveling to Chapel Hill this weekend, one Clemson defensive player is primed to have a breakout performance against the UNC Tar Heels (2-2).
Coming into his junior season, defensive tackle Peter Woods is a prospect to go in the early rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. Woods is a skilled interior defensive lineman who can be a game wrecker with his ability to get off blocks and make tackles in the backfield. Saturday’s game against UNC is a great chance for Woods to build on his tape for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Woods and the rest of the defensive lineman group understand the standard that is placed in front of them at Clemson, and Woods has lived up to that expectation in his first two seasons. Only four games into the 2025 season, Woods has enough time to make that impact on this season that he has in past seasons.
Taking on the Tar Heels, Woods has a great opportunity to make an impact on the game, especially in the run game. UNC received a in its run blocking through its first four games. A few of the starting offensive linemen for UNC have good pass blocking grades but struggle mightily in run blocking.
In his first three seasons at Clemson, Woods posted 54 total tackles (31 solo tackles), 11 tackles for loss, three sacks (all came in his sophomore season), and two forced fumbles. The Alabaster, Alabama, native was named to the 2023 Freshman All-America team. This season, Woods has gotten off to a little bit of a slow start, recording 15 total tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and one pass defensed. But Woods has plenty of time to rack up the stats, and that could start with a big day in Chapel Hill.
Clemson fans should keep their eyes open for Woods making an impact on Saturday. In a “must-win” game for the Tigers and Dabo Swinney, Woods and the rest of the defense could be in for a big game against a struggling UNC team.