Clemson isn’t the only team to use a “jumbo package” in short yardage situations, but they lay a special claim. Affectionately known as the Fridge Package, it is special at Clemson. The Tigers don’t just load up with extra offensive linemen, they actually put the ball in the hands of one of their biggest guys.
Clemson became known for this in the height of their college football playoff success with Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence both scoring touchdowns in 2018. (Wilkins notably enjoyed his Fridge Package snaps).
The name, however, goes back much farther than Lawrence and Wilkins. Folks remember William “Refrigerator” Perry’s success in Chicago, where he had three career offensive touchdowns. But before that, he played at Clemson. While Danny Ford may not have run the Fridge Package, Perry was still an integral part of the Tigers’ 1981 undefeated season and National Title.
Last Saturday at Boston College, Peter Woods joined the ranks of Wilkins and Lawrence and scored his first touchdown in the Fridge Package. It was a bright spot for him in a season where he has yet to live up to the first-round draft pick expectations. Woods has more than just the touchdown though—he has a total of 9 rushing yards on the season.
Tiger fans love it, and the rest of the college football world does too, even if they won’t admit it. Watch out for Swinney to use Woods more in short yardage and particularly goal-line situations as Clemson faces tougher opponents and touchdowns are harder to come by. I mean, who’s stopping Peter Woods?